Clindamycin and Vomiting: What Users Say

• KDM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I'm extremely sensitive to all types of antibiotics-penicillin, amoxicillin, sulfur drugs, cephalosporins, Zithromax. I can't even take most OTC drugs. Unfortunately, I came down with strep throat and had to see a doctor. Thankfully, I have an amazing doctor who found me something that worked. Here are two tips that you HAVE to follow when taking this medication even if you are NOT generally sensitive to antibiotics: 1) Take it right after you eat a meal if it says with food. Every. Single. Time. No exceptions. 2) Drink AT LEAST 16 oz of water with it. My doctor put me on the lowest dose, 150 mg, three times a day for ten days. It worked beautifully. No headaches, puking, joint pain, dizziness, or rash."

• Kca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Within 10 minutes of taking my first dose of clindamycin, I had severe, crippling heartburn. Took the second dose with food, and the heartburn once again was unbearable and then proceeded to vomit several times. Needless to say, I have not taken another dose, nor will I ever take clindamycin again!"

• Thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Prescribed this for a bacterial infected cyst in my abdomen (staph infection). It healed me up quickly, and I had no problems! Make sure you eat before you take it. Otherwise, you can get a sore stomach. I made the mistake twice of taking it and laying down right away. Don't do it! Sit upright for a half hour, or the acid reflux is horrible. It made me vomit, it was so bad. But if you sit up and give it time before you lay down."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I just happened to come across this thread. Back in 2014, after a missed miscarriage and serious hemorrhage, 5 surgical procedures, I became extra weak and fevered and had so much pain. I could not eat or anything... I was 100% sure I was going to die. The doctors couldn't figure it out. Upon returning for my 5th surgical procedure, I informed the doctor performing the procedure how I felt and what was going on. He automatically insisted on a serious infection in my reproductive organs following all the chaos and wrote me a prescription for 2 weeks of clindamycin 4 times a day. I was horrified as I was already half dead and had read all reviews on how deadly this drug was. I began the meds, and mark my words, it was a wild ride and I thought more than once about stopping but didn't. I was dizzy, had muscle pains and chest aches, and was even weaker... I dry heaved and puked, and guess what? I'm ALIVE right now because of CLINDAMYCIN. I owe everything to that doctor and that medication."

• Inf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2014

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I have taken this twice in the past for dental and skin infections and am currently on it again, all for dental issues. I developed C. diff after both previous cycles of taking this medicine, with the most recent being near-fatal. That said, it's the best medicine for treating broad-spectrum serious infections, so it did work on the initial infection well each time. I have also developed a mild blistery rash on my chest and upper arms while taking this in the past, but it cleared up when finishing the meds. My only major warning: if you develop C. diff symptoms in the weeks or months following this medication (several watery/loose stools per day, weakness, stomach pain, vomiting, nausea), insist your doctor test a stool sample to culture for C. diff."

• lit...
• November 29, 2017

For Sinusitis "Wow, this is a powerful drug. I was prescribed clindamycin 300 mg for a severe sinus infection. Amoxicillin did not work. After two doses, I had the worst stomach pain and nausea I have ever had. I also had a throbbing headache. However, I could feel it working in my sinuses already. So, I tried to stick it out. After another day, I was so profusely ill I couldn't get out of bed. Had the shakes, vomiting, horrific heartburn, and headache. For the record, I took the pills with Gravol and water, took probiotics, and stayed upright after taking. This was not a good experience. Very frustrating because I believe the drug does work, but the side effects make it impossible to take."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Was put on clindamycin 300 mg HCL for a tooth infection. Do not take this drug. Took for 14 days. I now have a C. diff infection. Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain the worst ever. Ended up in ER with intravenous fluids. Can't eat, it hurts too bad. Why would doctors prescribe this dangerous drug for someone? Eats up all the good bacteria and leaves all the bad. Been really sick, it is unbelievable. Remove this drug from the market. Quit making people sick. Never again will I take this worst thing, this can come back."

• 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!"

• Ugh...
• August 17, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I had a bad skin infection that turned into a blood infection rather quickly. While this antibiotic kicked its ass, it also kicked mine. I was on 500 mg 3 times a day for about 2 weeks (starting off with IV and then when I was discharged, pills). The side effects I experienced were like a living hell. I'd rather cut off my leg than take them again. Heartburn, metallic taste, my skin started peeling off on my hands, face, and legs. My eczema broke out terribly, but my acne cleared up, so there's that. But the worst part was the diarrhea and nausea. I feel so faint and tired, 24/7, no appetite, and my stomach feels like I have bowling balls in it. I've been vomiting almost every day along with nonstop diarrhea. It works. But it's HELL, even after you stop."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2022

For Sinusitis "Went to the ER for a sinus infection. The doctor prescribed me amoxicillin, even though I told her I was allergic to it, so the pharmacy switched it to clindamycin. The first two days were okay, and the pressure in my head was going away, so I thought it was working, except for the extreme heartburn. On the third day, I started vomiting, and my head felt like it was going to explode. Then that night, I woke up, and my body felt like it was on fire, and I was itchy and broke out in very bad hives. My body started swelling up badly, and I ended up back in the ER."

• Yog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "First off, if you have difficulty swallowing capsules, you will have a hard time with this medicine. I have no problem with normal coated tablets and pills, but found it extremely hard to swallow due to it being in a capsule. After 3-4 days of no issues of the 300 mg dose for reoccurring strep, I had an awful reaction. After I struggled to get it down, I quickly (5-10 minutes) started to feel a strong heartburn/acid reflux feeling in my chest. This is common for me, so I just took some Tums like I normally would and thought I'd be fine. After about 15-20 mins, it still wasn't gone, and I started to feel extremely nauseous and had to run to the bathroom and proceeded to vomit quite violently. So I stopped taking the medicine."

• ret...
• September 16, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Well, so far I've been taking this drug for 5 days. First day: upset stomach and threw up in the middle of the night, and felt rumbling in my stomach. However, I had a staph infection maybe on my face. A few pimples, which I've never had acne problems with. What made me notice them is they were all painful to the touch. I mean very painful. So, the doctor said staph infection. Take 10 days, 300 mg 4 times a day. So far, no issues. 5 more days to go, and I will finish as instructed. I'm taking it about every 6 hours, give or take a few mins into it. So far, no issues, and I hope none either."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "The pill has worked great to get rid of my infection from a tooth, but the side effects have wiped me out. No diarrhea, but I thought I was having a heart attack, the chest pain was so bad, and the fatigue is getting worse the longer I'm on it. I'm supposed to take it 3 times a day, but can only manage 2. I have had nausea and some vomiting, but it is still better than the tooth abscess!"

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2021

For Joint Infection "I had a jaw infection and was prescribed clindamycin 300 mg dose 3 times a day. Now, I need to add that I have GERD and ulcers, but I'm pretty much allergic to everything else, so I take this. Now, the trick that helps me anyway: ALWAYS EAT WHEN TAKING IT. I eat 3/4 of my meal, then take the antibiotic with a full glass of water, then I finish my meal to make sure the pills don't stay stuck in the throat. Then I sit up for half an hour to an hour. This helps me not get heartburn! This is a great antibiotic and works rather quickly, but make sure you take it with food or you will be up with miserable heartburn and vomiting all over the place."

• phi...
• April 15, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Side effects were severe vomiting, severe watery diarrhea, fever, severe pain taking a bowel movement. I had to be hospitalized and treated with morphine and other antibiotics, also severe urinary infection from the very beginning. I have never had these symptoms from other antibiotics. I had a tooth abscess, and they tried to pull my teeth. I went to a different dentist, who said I didn't have a cavity. This stuff should be taken off the market. At 65 years of age, I have never been this sick. I vomited so badly that I became dehydrated, no matter how much water I drank, it did not help. I had diarrhea so badly that I couldn't stop going. My stomach hurt so badly I was crying. I was given no literature from the dentist or the pharmacy. They had the nerve to send me a bill."

• Wiz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Was prescribed clindamycin for a dental infection. Day 1 - Slight heartburn. Day 2 - Severe heartburn (never had it that bad in my life). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. My guts felt like being twisted and rolled non-stop. Day 3 - I stopped taking them. Same symptoms as day 2, but this time I couldn't get out of bed all day. Day 4 - Still severe heartburn. Been off the pill for 2 days now, but still experiencing horrible heartburn. Hopefully, day 5 will be better, was switched to Z-pack instead. Never going back to clindamycin again in my life."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2019

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Was prescribed Metronidazole pills, and the first day was fine, symptoms went away almost instantly, mild side effect of a bit of nausea and drowsiness. Nothing I couldn’t handle. Second day was a literal nightmare: dizziness, confusion, fever, vomiting, cold sweats. I went back to my doctor, and she said we’d try the Clindamycin vaginal cream. FAIR WARNING, it’s a lot more expensive than the pills. But the cramps and discharge were so bad, and there was NO WAY I was going to go through 5 more days of vomiting and utter hell. Now on the first night of the cream, and so far, so good. Symptoms mostly abated, no side effects at all. I’m feeling more confident this won’t have me spending the night with my head in the toilet again... so far, would recommend over the Metronidazole."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I had an infection in my wisdom tooth. My dentist gave me this antibiotic. After 2 days of taking it, I got very sick. My stomach was hurting really bad to the point I was crying. I was vomiting. That only lasted a day. But now, a week later, I've been having diarrhea like crazy. I've never gone to the doctor yet because I'm hoping this will just go away, but I don't think it will. DO NOT take this antibiotic. Please don't. It's the worst if you get the side effects that I got."

• hea...
• September 3, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "My daughter took clindamycin 300 mg 3X a day for severe kissing tonsils (swollen tonsils that meet in the midline or overlap), couldn’t talk, and a lymph node in the side of her neck had her neck swollen. A swab of her throat and culture of it, along with blood culture, were negative. She had a dose of the IV form in the hospital and then continued it at home in pill form for 5 days. Each day her stomach and chest hurt more. By day 5, she was vomiting and having severe chest pain and refused to continue the medicine, saying it was making her miserably ill. I do believe it’s because I couldn’t get her to drink enough fluids when she took the pill to wash it down well. It did help her tonsils. I hope the 5 days and the IV dose were enough because the hospital wouldn’t call in something different to replace it, and we don’t have insurance at the moment. This medicine works well, but like on the bottle, don’t lay down for 10 minutes after taking it and drink a full glass of water with it. I also believe eating before taking it would help."

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I used the 300 mg clindamycin HCL. The first 24 hours, I had a pain in my stomach, it was like being poisoned. I puked and was up all night. I was scared to shut my eyes. Day 2, I was sick. Day 3, the medicine started working. Day 4, I was getting better. I needed this, I had 4 bad teeth, and on March 10th (today is the 19th of February), I get them all pulled as long as the infection goes away. Yeah..."

• jcd...
• April 16, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Towards the end of my medication cycle, and just now piecing together some unpleasant symptoms I've been experiencing. Tonight, I had a sensation of rapid pulse, horrible heartburn/acid reflux feel, and vomiting, about an hour after I took my meds (had eaten a small snack and a bottle and a half of water). My stomach has been churning throughout the use of this med. I am getting over an infection in my gum for a tooth procedure and have to take clindamycin due to allergies to penicillin. I recommend taking probiotics and eating a full meal of food with each dose. Mention your symptoms to your doc/dentist, as I will be tomorrow."

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2019

For Peritonitis "This was for the prevention of infection of the gums and teeth. Horrible experience, allergic severe diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, also some weakness and stomach pain. This was not reported to the dentist, but returned to normal after the medication was finished. This was the worst antibiotic ever for me."

• -A-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I started taking this a few days ago. The very next day after I started taking it, I had chest pain, and it got so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. It also makes me extremely dizzy to where I can’t stand up without almost falling down. I get nauseous and sometimes even thrown up. I am supposed to take 2 every 6 hours, so that’s 8 pills a day, but the side effects are so bad I can’t really take it. I talked to my doctor about it, and they just pushed my side effects to the side and told me to deal with it. I’m struggling with this antibiotic, honestly, so I might find a new doctor."

• Nev...
• September 23, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "My dentist prescribed this awful medicine for a tooth infection. I made it through the 1st dose, but the 2nd caused instantaneous severe heartburn that was so horrendous I vomited everything I had eaten that day. Sadly, that didn't get rid of the heartburn. 3 days later, it feels like there's a hole burned into my lower esophagus. The dentist switched me over to erythromycin, but I can't stomach the idea of swallowing another pill when the pain will surely come with it. Would prefer injections over this nightmare."

• Naj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Severe headache. Feel like vomiting. Severe diarrhea. I stopped it the second day. Was 300mg x 2. I prefer to have my tooth extractions than to have all those side effects. My bowel was jumping all day. I think more research should be done on it. It's so dangerous."