Erythromycin and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2009

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "This drug worked miracles for my skin, but the side effects are overwhelming. I constantly have an upset stomach and am always tired. I have to take this medicine right before bed so I can function throughout my day. Usually, when I wake up, I still feel some of the side effects, like an upset stomach."

• 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
• July 8, 2012

For Middle Ear Infections "I'm taking this due to ear and sinus infection and swollen lymph nodes. I'm allergic to penicillin, so the doctor gave me these. Seems to be working on the infection, but slowly. I have to take 500 mg 2x a day. It gives me terrible stomach cramps and pain, but after I eat, the pain goes away. I'm just very lazy, tired, and my brain is cloudy. Don't feel like myself. Not sure if it's due to my illness or the medicine. Drink a lot of water. Hope you feel better!"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2020

For Dental Abscess "Started taking erythromycin for a dental abscess after previously having amoxicillin six weeks prior. Day one: stomach cramps, sickness, vomiting. This continued for at least two days. I am now on day four and still feeling ill, stomach pain has subsided, but I feel dizzy and generally unwell. I will finish the course and never take it again. Dental pain is improved, but I'm not at the end of the course yet, so we’ll see!"

• 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!"

• Dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Worked but ended up with severe bloating and tummy problems now. And the real problem was the cost was $80 the first time, second, within a month, it went up to $160.00. Shame on the company and shame on the government for allowing this, those costs with insurance. Needless to say, never got it the second time, had to switch to a less effective type."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2018

"Doctor gave me this to take for 5 days, 500 mg tablets every six hours for my C. diff infection. The side effects for me are that it makes me shiver, tiredness, and I feel cold and some stomach ache."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Strep Throat "This caused an upset stomach, a feeling of nausea, a headache, extreme tiredness, and toilet problems. It did work well the first few days."