Erythromycin and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• ell...
• May 10, 2020

For Dental Abscess "I took 250 mg of erythromycin for a tooth infection as I’m allergic to penicillin. Side effects were pretty bad on the first few days, couldn’t eat, couldn’t get out of bed, diarrhea, fast heart rate. But after my body got used to it, the pain went after a few days of taking it. Dental pain is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I still can’t see my dentist because of this pandemic!!!"

• ann...
• January 4, 2014

For Dental Abscess "I'm currently taking it now, as I'm allergic to penicillin. I'm on my 3rd day. I've been getting really painful stomach cramps, hot sweats, and very loose stools. It's making me feel really ill, and it hasn't made my mouth feel any better at all. I'm going to give it one more day, then I'm going to stop taking it because it's obviously not for me."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2021

For Dental Abscess "For tooth infection, I was prescribed 2 erythromycin x 250 mg pills 4 x per day for 7 days. Altogether 56 pills. Now, after 1 day, I didn’t sleep all night because of stomach cramps, diarrhea, almost vomited 3 times, and I feel very, very sick. My tooth pain is better, but I never felt like this. There are definitely better options for people allergic to penicillin, as I know that I took some antibiotics before and felt normal. I will see in a few hours if the situation is any better, as I am due to take another dose. Might go with 50%."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2012

For Bronchitis "I've been taking it for two days since I am allergic to penicillins. I guess I feel better with the bronchitis, but I have bad leg cramps, and my stomach stays upset and has had horrible diarrhea. Side effects might not be worth it."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2020

For Dental Abscess "As someone else said, it takes a while to beat the infection and, as a result, takes a bit longer to reduce swelling and pain, but after roughly 2.5 days, it looks like things are getting much better. I was taking 200 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the pain/swelling, but this next one might be my last one. So hang in there and do NOT stop taking the course (usually 7-10 days). You risk promoting resistant bacterial growth. I have had minor stomach issues due to it (diarrhea one day), but I always made sure I took it after a meal to reduce these side effects. I’d much rather have a day or two of mild diarrhea than intense tooth pain."

• Ban...
• August 30, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Used to take these erythromycin for a year when I was 15 for acne and had no side effects. Now is a different story. Got an ingrown hair that had gotten infected. For four days, I have been sick, had explosive diarrhea, and agonizing stomach cramps coupled with no appetite. I had to take 2 x 250mg tablets 4 times a day. I have been in bed for days as I'm wiped out. Phoned a walk-in center and they told me to stop taking them immediately. Never again."

• kkc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2022

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I was prescribed erythromycin by my doctor 2 weeks ago. It was a 5-day course, 2 tablets 4x a day, 250 mg. On the second day, I started getting stomach pain and stomach cramps. By the third day, I started having nausea and diarrhea! I had to contact my doctor because my side effects were terrible. Horrible drug!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2022

For Strep Throat "Took this after I got too sick off of Clindamycin. Took one 500 mg pill, and it quickly went downhill. About one hour in, I felt nauseous and like someone sucker-punched me below the ribs. Five minutes later, I was sweating and noticed my heart was racing. I checked, and it was beating 136 BPM. I then had trouble breathing and was in the toilet with intense diarrhea. Heart rate and breathing got so bad I was taken to the ER. While waiting 2 hours, I finally returned to somewhat normal. But my gosh. What a horrible drug. AVOID"

• Dav...
• August 11, 2018

Erythromycin for Dental Abscess "Intense nausea, lower back kidney pain, diarrhea, vomiting, disorientation, dizziness, missed dose due to intensity of constant nausea."

• Mol...
• December 16, 2019

For Dental Abscess "After one day on 4 tabs, I had severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. I cut the dose to 1 per day, thinking pain could be caused by something else. After reading the above, I won't take it again!"

• BB0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

For Dental Abscess "Erythromycin can be supplied with or without lactose. I had abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea when I took the version with lactose in, but was fine when I switched to the version without lactose."

• Hay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I'm taking this medication now. I have stomach cramps and diarrhea. I also feel light-headed and have a fast heart rate."