Flagyl and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "If I could give this medication 0 stars, I would. My gyno prescribed me this for bacterial vaginosis. My side effects were horrible... increased anxiety/panic attacks, nausea, horrible taste in my mouth, and I had the most vivid nightmares. I would wake up trembling/shaking out of my sleep, and it took me a few days to realize that it was the Flagyl that was making me feel this way. I will never take this medication again unless I absolutely have no choice. I’m glad I’m not the only one that had a terrible experience on this drug."

• Lal...
• December 23, 2013

For Diverticulitis "It seems I've had experiences that a lot of these other people do with feeling worse than I did before on these medications with the Cipro and Flagyl. I'm nauseous, I'm dizzy, I have a foggy brain, I can't eat, the taste is horrible, and I feel like I can't function. I've been on this for the second time in a year, and it's doing the same thing, same side effects. I don't like feeling this way at all. I can't drive or go to work. I've been on it for 4 days out of 10, and it's Christmas! My pain has subsided, though."

• Bro...
• June 18, 2010

For Diverticulitis "I took Flagyl several times before I had surgery to remove part of my colon. It was quickly effective every time I took it. I had no negative side effects. The worst was a bad taste in my mouth. Would take again if needed."

• amm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2014

For Diverticulitis "Had my first flare with diverticulitis 4 months ago, ended up in the emergency room. Prescribed Bactrim and Flagyl and four days bed rest. Pain subsided after 2 days on the meds, but felt pretty crummy for the next week, and had to deal with loss of taste and bad taste in my mouth. Didn't attribute feeling so yucky with the meds. Had a second milder diverticulitis flare up four days ago. Went to the doc 2 days ago and I'm back on Bactrim and Flagyl. Came back to work today and I am SO NAUSEOUS! The bad taste in my mouth has returned, and I really don't feel well at all. I really DO NOT want to end up where I was last Jan when I went to the emergency room - so I'm still taking the Flagyl. Doc gave me Zofran for the nausea, it helps some."

• Sev...
• November 3, 2016

For Diverticulitis "Taking Flagyl and Cipro for diverticulitis, and got all the symptoms as everyone else. Dry mouth, headaches, funny taste in mouth, diarrhea, and generally feel sluggish, tired, and beside myself. Though I was the only one feeling like crap, but the pain is gone, and I too am on a better diet. Seven days left, and I am throwing these empty bottles in the trash!"

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2012

For Diverticulitis "I have taken this medicine once before and it made me have flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, a terrible taste in my mouth, and in general feel awful when I am on this. I agree with the person above, it's almost worse than having the pain from diverticulitis. I am also taking Cipro so no dairy products or antacid tablets. Basically, I try to force myself to eat, drink, and sleep through the worst of the symptoms. This is miserable and depressing. As soon as I can, I plan to try to eat the recommended amount of fiber, 25-30 grams. I never want to have diverticulitis again, twice in 5 months is too much. I have 1 more week of meds, it feels like a lifetime."

• mtl...
• May 14, 2011

For Diverticulitis "I have been taking this for almost a week for a diverticulitis flare up and if this ever happens again I will ask if there is something else I can take. I agree, I think this has made me sicker than I originally was. General listlessness, very dizzy, weird hunger pangs, and foods don't taste good or the same as they did. Headaches! Looking forward to the last dose. A nurse friend suggested eating Activia yogurt while taking this to help with stomach problems."

• ste...
• August 19, 2015

For Diverticulitis "Was put on Flagyl and Cipro for 1 week. I'm light-headed and only want to sleep! Nauseous, and my mouth tastes awful. I am glad to read all of these posts, and I thought I was getting a secondary sinus infection. My last pills were on a Monday, and today, Wednesday, I still feel 'in the clouds.'"

• Div...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2014

For Diverticulitis "Flagyl leaves a bad taste in my mouth after a couple of days, makes my urine smell bad, and causes nausea (so get some anti-nausea meds along with it). That being said, it does the job very well. Noticeable improvement within 1-3 days."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "The medicine seems to be effective, but it is literally the most terrible tasting medicine I've ever had. It has no coating and dissolves instantly on your tongue, leaving a horrid taste behind. It is upsetting to your stomach. I'm taking it because it's effective. I wish they'd add a coating. I dread taking this medicine and have a knot in my stomach when it's almost time to take it."

• Spa...
• November 30, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I took Flagyl for 10 days, 3X a day to treat a parasite (Blastocystis spp.). Before taking the medication, I was having extremely bad-smelling farts, almost constant diarrhea, and abdominal pain followed by diarrhea. They heavily warned me that this medication sucks, and they were right: it does. That being said, my excessively smelling gas went away within a few days. Days 2-3 and 8-10 seemed to suck the most as far as symptoms. I also experienced mental fog from taking this medication. I really felt not on my game mentally and had a hard time concentrating. I did have some problems sleeping at night while taking this medication and then problems as well once the medication had been finished. For about 4 days after taking the medication, I had oral thrush and whiteness on my tongue. The bad taste in my mouth stayed for a while. I am 9 days finished with this medication, and I feel like I still don’t have any appetite or interest in food. All in all, it was not great, but I would take it again."

• Tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2014

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Most horrible side effects: bitter taste in mouth even hours after administration, balance problems, confusion, surroundings seem unreal, like walking in a dream (not a good one), concentration problems, general malaise, not able to eat anything but oatmeal and mashed potatoes. Extreme weight loss. Had to stop after 11 doses. Stomach worse than before. I have to add that I also had Amoxicillin and Protonix at the same time, maybe the combination was at fault for this extreme reaction."

• Eva...
• July 28, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "I had a vaginal infection and was prescribed Flagyl to cure it. I hated the immediate awful taste in my mouth, and it dissolved immediately upon hitting my tongue. I only experienced the awful taste and some slight stomach upset as side effects. The infection began to clear up after 3 days of a 7-day prescription. I recommend it, and drink something fruity with it. Also, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL AT ALL while on this medication OR FOR 3 DAYS AFTER YOU STOP TAKING IT. You WILL have severe vomiting, heaving, and dizziness."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2013

For Giardiasis "I took Flagyl and Cipro for giardia and salmonella diagnosis. Both taken for one week. The Flagyl has a terrible taste, and you have to drink something besides water while you are taking it because everything tastes metallic. It works to eradicate the infection, but I was very happy when the seven days of treatment were over. I also experienced a lack of appetite, however, you must eat something when you take Flagyl, or it will upset your stomach. Other side effects experienced: bloating, burping, hiccups, terrible taste in my mouth all the time, lack of energy. But the need for the medication outweighs the side effects, and it took care of the infection."

• sis...
• September 15, 2018

For Diverticulitis "I went to the ER with acute diverticulitis and was prescribed Metronidazole along with Cipro and pain pills. I was administered a couple of pain shots and thought I could go home and take these meds and get better. Three days later, I was back in the ER and let them admit me this time. The terrible headaches, horrific taste in my mouth, nausea, and vomiting were about more than I could bear. I have had sleeve surgery, and so my stomach is small, but this gave me such bad heartburn and indigestion, I could not imagine a medicine making a person this sick. I also had diarrhea with every bathroom trip and very dark urine. I couldn't even stand the taste of water, or the food I ate tasted horrible, along with a lack of appetite, lethargy, and lightheadedness. I finished my prescription of ten days, but I hope I never have to take this horrible drug again. One good thing about it is my diverticulitis pain is gone, and I pray it will never return."

• TGu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This antibiotic was the worst possible one I had to take! Anyone saying there are no side effects with this medicine is one of the lucky ones. This drug damages your digestive system, it tastes nasty. You have that taste all day, coming back up. I didn’t sleep well, and it affected the way I was breathing. Outside of that, it gave me a yeast infection on my tongue. I’d never take this drug ever again! This drug causes more harm than good. If you need an antibiotic, find a functional doctor. Natural medicine has been around for years, and it works."

• Tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Was given instructions to take this Flagyl twice a day for 7 days, every 12 hours for BV (bacterial vaginitis). First day I had a slight headache, second day of taking it symptoms of BV were gone! No smell, discharge, but I had a backache which wasn’t too bad. Still taking it to finish up treatment. But I give it 9/10 because the medicine tastes horrible! Take with food or thick liquids to avoid the taste."

• Dox...
• October 30, 2019

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I'm on day three out of ten days of taking a three-tier medication schedule for H. pylori, metronidazole, erythromycin, and omeprazole. My doc suggested that I take one of the antibiotics, eat something, wait an hour, then take the second one. So far, I’ve had no bad side effects, only a bad taste in my mouth."

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

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "Took 500 mg 3 times per day for 14 days to treat a C. diff infection. Within the 1st week, the side effects kicked in. Horrible taste in my mouth 24/7, then followed by constant nausea and loss of appetite. I was so nauseous by the end that I couldn't get off the couch. Took it with meals, and I haven't had an alcoholic drink in 3 years. Chewed gum all the time to deal with the taste. Horrible side effects, but very effective. Was feeling normal again within a few days of starting it."

• Val...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This is the final day of my 10-day prescription of Flagyl 750 mg x3 daily for a parasite infection, and over the last nine days, this is what I have been experiencing: - Bad or metallic taste in the mouth. - Nausea. - Little fatigue. - Moody. - A few bloating periods. - 8th and 9th days frequent diarrhea. I don't know if the parasite infection is still there, nor what to expect after the dosage. Would love to hear feedback from someone in a similar position. Thanks."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "My side effects for Flagyl were nausea, diarrhea, and headache throughout the week of me taking this twice a day for bacterial vaginitis. Nasty taste in my mouth and urine smells awful. Irritation from BV has subsided but is still present. Swollen feet and hands, along with chills. Terrible feeling!"

• spe...
• May 29, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "3rd day on Flagyl and Cipro after 6 days of diarrhea, found out I have colitis. Bowel infection due to a parasite. Diarrhea finally stopped, but the stomach sounds I have are hugely intense! And the horrible taste in my mouth is awful. But hey! It's doing its job! Better than having the big D for 6 days in a row!"

• NoC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Very interesting comments. I have been taking the drug for 14 days, and my doctor just prescribed another 2-week course. It is treating infection after experiencing sepsis during a colectomy. I have an ileostomy, and my bag was bloating with severe gas to the point that it was causing leakage. OTC meds didn't help with gas. When I asked the doctor for a Rx to relieve the gas, he said the Flagyl I would be taking would help. Since I started, I haven't had a single gas episode, and I even started back on carbonated water beverages. I haven't experienced the other issues I've been reading about from others except for the taste and some fatigue. I can attest not to drink alcohol, as I did have two drinks at my son's wedding, and I hit a wall."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I’m on my last day of this medicine, taking it for bacterial vaginosis (BV). Terrible taste going down, have to swallow the pill fast, but the smell from BV was gone around the second day of taking the medication. Very good antibiotic."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Within the second day, the smell from the BV was gone. It does, however, leave a bad aftertaste. To solve that, after taking it, I drank a whole bottle of water and then chewed a piece of gum that helped for me."