Clindamycin and Heartburn: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "This medicine gave me severe heartburn immediately after taking the first two pills. I thought it was the spaghetti, but figured out it was the medicine after the heartburn got worse every time I took it. I never have heartburn or acid reflux, but this medicine caused me unbearable pain and discomfort. It's just been awful. It's been a full day since I stopped taking it, but I'm still having some reflux, but that's nothing compared to how sore my throat is. I can't swallow, eat, or drink without terrible pain."

• Too...
• October 18, 2011

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Clindamycin works for bacterial vaginitis, but the side effects definitely didn't work for me. I was prescribed clindamycin 2 per day for 7 days, and on the 2nd day, I developed an itch. Two days later, I learned the antibiotics had given me a yeast infection, on top of the severe heartburn I was suffering from, another side effect of clindamycin. It will kill the infection it's prescribed for."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2018

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I refuse to take Flagyl because it gives me the worst side effects, and I feel like I’m dying, LOL. But I will tell you what side effects I have had with this medicine. I have had loose stool, but it’s not too bad, I can deal with it, and I’m not in pain. I just go to the bathroom easier, and sometimes I get heartburn, but it doesn’t last long. Overall, this is the best medication I have taken for bacterial vaginosis. I really haven’t had too many problems. I’ve been a little tired, but I’m always tired - I’m a mom, LOL. I don’t see why there are so many people making bad reviews on this medicine because it’s so much better than Flagyl."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I believe I am on day six of this antibiotic, clindamycin, and I have only seen a slight change in an extremely infected cat scratch. Still super sore and red, but the only thing I’d warn people about is to not lay down for at least ten minutes to half an hour after taking. I did it tonight, and it was the worst chest pain ever. I don’t believe I’ve ever had heartburn, but this was probably way worse than that anyway. Felt like my whole esophagus was on fire. Extremely uncomfortable. I also have horrible stomach issues and IBS, so I’m surprised I haven’t had the diarrhea side effect yet. But it’s too soon to say I won’t."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I was put on clindamycin 300 mg for a tooth infection, every 6-7 hours, 3x daily. I'm a 21-year-old female, and I had no problems with this medication. I was very careful to not lay down at least 30 minutes after taking it. Sometimes I waited 40 minutes to 1 hour just to be safe. The only time I experienced very mild heartburn was after eating chili and a Diet Coke, both acidic foods. So I recommend staying away from anything acidic or spicy while taking this pill. In addition, I took a probiotic every day. Make sure not to take it within 2 hours of taking the antibiotic. The only other symptom I experienced was some drowsiness. My infection cleared up in 5 days. Very easy experience."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Was prescribed this drug to clear up a mild case of skin infection on my foot. I'll be honest, I was absolutely terrified to take this drug after reading the horrific reviews on this site and many others. Took 4 pills a day, 300 mg for 1 week with absolutely no issues. Worst I experienced was a foul taste in my mouth and mild heartburn when I forgot to eat my yogurt and drink sufficient water for that day. Ate before each pill and took at least 2 small cups of yogurt each day and before dosage. Infection cleared up pretty well and has faded from the rich purple color it was from before taking the medicine. Don't be fooled by the negative reviews on this drug, just make sure to drink with a full glass of water and have something in your stomach before taking the pill. Also, be sure to wait at least 30 min to an hour before lying down after taking the pill to avoid heartburn. Having a probiotic works wonders with this drug, in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "After reading many bad reviews of clindamycin, I was skeptical of taking it. I generally have a sensitive stomach and don't react well with medication that must be taken with food (metronidazole made me so sick and disoriented I couldn't work). I am VERY pleased with the results. I am taking 150 mg for a root canal that got infected. I take extra precautions as my stomach can be sensitive. I drink a full bottle of water and eat more than just a snack every time I take a pill. I wait at least 45 minutes before laying down after taking it. So far, I have not had ANY major issues. I am on day 7, and the only side effects I have experienced are some very minor heartburn and some gas in the late evening. The swelling had gone completely by the fourth day."

• K-D...
• July 20, 2010

For Bacterial Infection "I have been taking 300 mg, 2 tablets, 3 times a day for four days now for an abscess on my lower leg. I haven't experienced any major side effects, but I also take it with at least a cup and a half of water, and I have eaten about 4 cups of yogurt a day too. They told me that yogurt would help any yeast infection that I might get from the antibiotics. So far, so good, no heartburn, no nothing except that the swelling and redness are now gone! I still have 3 days to go, but I give this antibiotic a thumbs up!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I'm experiencing almost unbearable heartburn; starting my seventh day of three times daily 300 mg of Cleocin. Heartburn started 2 days ago; this morning, REALLY bad after taking the pill. I have not ever had heartburn before - also, I eat yogurt every single day (for breakfast and one or two times more each day some days), and I take probiotics every single day; have done this for several years now. I normally drink a lot of liquid anytime I take any medication (which, fortunately for me, is very rare), as well as on a regular basis. Please don't assume that if you do all the 'right' things, you won't get the side effects of this drug or any other. This is the very first drug in my life that has given me problems; the heartburn has been incredible."

• dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "This medication was prescribed to me after contracting a severe bacterial infection after scratching my eyeball. I was prescribed an eye drop by the first GP, but after my eye worsened, I went to the hospital where the doctor prescribed me clindamycin. I found that it helped with the infection almost immediately. Although, in saying that, I'm on my third day in, and the side effects are terrible. I have a constant headache, my throat is sore, I feel feverish, get chills, and just generally feel weak and sore. I haven't yet tried a probiotic, but I'm going to start tomorrow. Drink it with plenty of water! I haven't had any heartburn yet, and I hope not to."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "First and foremost, this was my first time ever taking Clindamycin. I had an ear infection, and I was on a round of Augmentin from 12/19 till 12/29 for a double ear infection, and my left ear healed, but my right ear did not. Went back to the doctor and was prescribed a 10-day round of Clindamycin - take 4 times a day. I set alarms for myself every 6 hours, and I do wake up around 4 or 5 a.m. to take my first dose of the day. I've learned a trick with taking this to avoid the heartburn and side effects. Eat something small, drink 8 ounces of water, take the pill, then eat another small portion and drink another 8 ounces of water! I have yet to have any side effects since doing this. No diarrhea, no upset tummy! Within 48 hours of being on the medication, I could tell a difference. 10/10 would recommend. Remember, everyone does different with antibiotics. Don't let one horrible review scare you!"

• Sic...
• March 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I had a minor infection under a tooth, which I apparently had for 3 years. It became inflamed a couple of months ago, but the abscess swelling that was about the size of an M&M went down on its own a couple of weeks later, but with minor swelling remaining smaller than a BB. Saw my dentist for my cleaning, and they said time for a root canal. My doctor prescribed clindamycin 150 mg 4x day. I had an immediate reaction to this drug after every dose: the feeling that something was lodged in my esophagus, heavy chest pains, pressure in the chest, heartburn, burning in the stomach, and the feeling of gas pressure in the chest. This is a terrible drug. I had a week's worth of these drugs that took me 3 extra days to get through. My discomfort usually lasted about an hour tops, but I did experience some heartburn and did not get diarrhea until I was on pill number 30, who knows, maybe it was just something I ate. I am not a believer in poison being a cure, this drug, in my opinion, is poison."

• Ros...
• August 4, 2015

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I took this last year for a severe bacterial infection on my chin. It certainly did its job with clearing up the infection. HOWEVER, I will NEVER be taking this medication again if something similar happens in the future. The side effects I experienced were absolutely excruciating! I had heartburn that made me feel like I was going to die- a sharp pain that felt like a lump in my chest that was stabbing me from the inside. My family thought that I was just being dramatic, but after reading some reviews on here, I know a lot of people have had similar experiences. I took the drug 4x a day and ended up gaining weight on it because the only thing that helped dull the pain was eating a TON of food with it."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "My daughter was prescribed 300 mg x 3 times a day for strep throat that had returned 6 days after finishing a 10-day prescription of amoxicillin. Worst stomach pains and heartburn ever. We tried drinking the water, sitting up, and then Tums and Pepto, but nothing helped. Waiting for the doctor to call back with something else. Terrible side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed after surgery on hand, told to take 1 150 mg capsule every 8 hours, well that means one right before bed. HORRIBLE IDEA!! I wasn't informed to drink a whole glass of water with or not to lay down up to 30 mins after. So about a week into taking it on my nighttime one (midnight), took it and went to bed. Woke up with the world's worst heartburn. So bad I'm asking my doc at the next appointment if I can switch scripts."

• Mom...
• April 7, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was on IV for 4 days and then switched to oral 4x a day. When I started taking it orally, I got bad heartburn, felt like something was stuck in my throat, and sometimes it hurt in my chest. I questioned the pharmacist, and she told me to take an antacid 1/2 hour before my dose (one was good for 2 doses) and drink lots of water. I did this and had no more problems."

• dlu...
• October 1, 2010

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a tooth infection - 300 mg 4 x day starting with a double dose as soon as I got home. The night I took the first 2 pills, I immediately had several bouts of diarrhea. The next day, when I moved down to 1 pill 4 x daily, I had more normal bowel motions. I did, however, stupidly take it close to bedtime and without heeding the warning re: lying down. I woke up with the worst heartburn/chest pain. I just finished my pills and look forward to no more heartburn."

• Not...
• February 21, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Did what it was supposed to. I went from being in the worst pain of my life to being in no pain in about 3 days. Works very well. Took it with water and probiotic yogurt as you're supposed to do, and as a result, I had no side effects. Pay no attention to all of the negative reviews complaining about indigestion, diarrhea, and heartburn. If you take the medication properly and follow your pharmacist's orders, you won't have any problems. I don't think it's smart to advise other people not to take potentially life-saving medication because you weren't able to listen to instructions. Just take it with plenty of water and probiotic yogurt, and you'll be just fine."

• Qui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I have quinsy, which is also known as a peritonsillar abscess. I was put on this medication, 300 mg x 4 daily. I am having a not too bad experience with this. I already suffer from dry skin in the winter, and it made it a bit worse. I have had to moisturize like crazy. One day I took it before bed on an empty stomach, and I had massive heartburn, and I never get heartburn. I didn't even know what the pain was until I described it to my wife. It took me 10 Tums and about 30 minutes for it to get to a point where I could sleep. Since then, I have been fine if I take it with food and lots of water, and I don't go lying down right after taking either. The loose stool is to be expected as with most antibiotics, but it wasn't as bad as the last antibiotics I had."

• pet...
• May 13, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Went to the ER for a severe bacterial infection in my foot and was prescribed clindamycin, 300 mg every 6 hrs for 10 days. It's been rough. Definite nausea and heartburn. I feel incredibly tired and have had more bowel movements than normal. My symptoms from the infection on my foot have almost gone away, but the antibiotics have been very unpleasant. I guess it's a give and take, killing the bacterial infection ends up waging war on my insides."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed clindamycin 300 mg to take 4x a day for 10 days for impetigo on my face that mupirocin wasn’t helping. Anyways, the first pill I took gave me immediate heartburn, I felt like something was stuck in my throat, lasted for about an hour. (Drank it with water and food as directed) and that was the only side effect I ever had. Seriously, two days into the antibiotic, my impetigo was completely dried out, and on the fourth day, completely healed. So, take it with a glass of water, you should be fine, try and be upright for about an hour after taking it (although I had to set an alarm to take it in the middle of the night and would go back to sleep and be just fine). This antibiotic really has a bad rap!!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "This medication should not be allowed to be distributed! I feel terrible! I am in so much discomfort and pain! I have a fever, vomiting, unbelievable heartburn, chest pain that feels like a heart attack. I've only taken two pills!"

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Absolutely the worst heartburn I've ever had. My throat still burns, and I just don't think I can take any more pills. I also thought I was having a heart attack, it hurt so much and into my left arm. Gets worse every time I take it, so I think I'm done."

• Mee...
• February 28, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Just started taking this medication after a dental gum graft. I drank plenty of water as directed. Felt as if my life was ending with the severe heartburn I experienced. I guess this is something we need to endure if we don't want a massive infection in our bodies ... This just doesn't seem right?!?!"

• Kis...
• June 22, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I'm taking this for strep throat, 10 days, 3x a day. At first, it worked fine, felt like it was helping. Now I'm almost done, and these last few days have been awful. I have bad heartburn. It hurts from my stomach to my throat. It burns. My stomach hurts to move, feels like bad gas, and my throat hurts to swallow anything. It's hard to drink."