Flagyl and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Net...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Nah-ah. Never again. Worst medication I have ever taken. On my second day of taking this tablet, I was feeling nauseous. My appetite was bad, and my stomach felt sick. Headaches, fatigue, easily irritated. I dreaded taking it when the time came. It made me absolutely miserable. My resting heart rate went up to 105 bpm. Even raising my voice ever so slightly made my heart pound harder. It was very stressful. Steer clear. I felt stupid taking this medicine for side effects that were much worse than the reason I needed them for."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "Been on this for a week! Even though it's taking care of my issue, I can't wait to take my last pill. I've been sick to my stomach, loss of appetite, headache, dizzy, blurry vision, disoriented, fatigued, can't sleep well. Just ready for this course to be over."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2013

For Diverticulitis "I have been taking Flagyl and Cipro for Diverticulitis, and it seems to be helping. After my stay in the hospital where the doctor put me on a food rest for several days, including IV antibiotics, he prescribed these two meds. There are some issues I have had taking them, such as low energy level, limited concentration when getting tired, but most of all nausea. I recommend if you are going to be taking either or both of these meds, always take with plenty of food (meal time, not just a snack), don't plan on doing too much (you won't have the energy), and ask your doctor for an as-needed prescription of a nausea medicine just in case you need it. I have needed something for nausea at least once daily since on the medicine."

• lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I have SIBO, and my doctor prescribed Flagyl 250 mg 3 times/day for 14 days and Rifaximin 3 times/day for 14 days to treat SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Overall, my experience with Flagyl was unpleasant. I experienced moderate side effects that made me feel worse, so I stopped after 4 days and kept on the Rifaximin with no problems. On Flagyl, I experienced fatigue. When I tried to work out to boost energy, I felt horrendous: nauseous with flu-like symptoms. I experienced loss of appetite for normal healthy foods and found that I was binging on unhealthy foods. A slight metallic taste in my mouth, and a moderate feeling of upset stomach that came and went. Also, moderate bloating. If I had been extremely sick and Flagyl made me feel better, I may have kept on it, but for someone with mild SIBO, this drug wasn't worth it. If you're only mildly ill, I'd suggest finding an alternative medicine, if possible."

• 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!"

• 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."

• CCB...
• December 31, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "My NP put me on a regimen of Flagyl 500 mg twice a day for 7 days for urinary symptoms I was having, although my cultures were negative. I followed the regimen for 5 days before finally stopping. My side effects were severe and had me ready to go to the ER: stomach and pelvic cramping, continual discharge, complete loss of appetite, extreme nausea when attempting to force myself to eat solid food, and general nausea when not eating. I felt extremely fatigued, emotional, and anxious. I was on the verge of several full-blown panic attacks at work. I'm not sure if my symptoms are taken care of by Flagyl because the side effects are so much worse. Day 2 off of the drug and having the most severe side effects yet."

• 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."

• kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I took a week's worth of pills of this for a second BV flare-up (tried Tindamax the first time, and the BV came back), and I am confident enough now to write a positive review. All side effects (discharge, foul odor, stabbing pain) subsided by either the third or fourth day. So far, so yeast infection, but I am being very proactive and taking probiotics daily and eating lots of yogurt. Side effects were very minimal and manageable, just a bit of fatigue, dizziness, and light sensitivity. Nothing horrible. PRO TIP: Wrap the pills in bread before you swallow them. No metallic aftertaste at all if you do this!"

• Liz...
• April 2, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "Started taking Flagyl for bacterial vaginitis on Friday. Didn't start feeling side effects until late Saturday, where I experienced flu-like symptoms. It is now Tuesday, and I can't wait until my last dose. I am taking 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 days. I also have interstitial cystitis, which I think the medicine is irritating my bladder. Fatigue is the worst symptom so far, doesn't help when I work midnights and am already tired. No diarrhea though, and no yeast infection yet. When they prescribed it to me, I was not happy! I just tell myself the benefits outweigh the risks. I just hope my interstitial cystitis symptoms subside when this is done."

• AT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2019

For Diverticulitis "This is the 4th time I have had diverticulitis, and one of the things I dread is having to take 500 mg of Cipro (2x a day) and 500 mg of Flagyl (3x a day) for 10 days. The nausea and stomach ache are horrible. I am now on the 7th day, and this morning I began thinking about why the problems remain so many hours after I take the drugs. I thought perhaps the drugs were not dissolving properly, so I cut the pills in half and took them in 2 pieces. I have not had nausea or stomach pain today. It did not help the fatigue and weakness, however."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2017

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I am now on day 7 of a 14. I'm on metronidazole, omeprazole, and clarithromycin. I have had H. pylori 3 times within a year. The treatment for me has been awful. The dosage was tripled, and it has given me nausea, bloating, foggy memory, a white film on my tongue, and fatigue. The metallic taste lasts all day. The thing that you need to be aware of is if you continue to get H. pylori like I have, it can be a precursor to stomach cancer. After this round of treatment, I have taken the steps to see a gastroenterologist to insist that he does an endoscopy to ensure me that there isn't anything for me to be concerned with at this time. It's a very scary feeling to have gotten this infection at least 3 times within a year."

• Cd4...
• June 13, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Was prescribed Flagyl for BV but was never entirely sure I even had it as no tests were conducted. Took the pills and am so happy tomorrow is my last day! Literally the worst side effects ever, day one wasn't so bad, just had a metallic taste in my mouth, but every other day I've experienced headaches, nausea, and extreme fatigue to where I'm sleeping all day. The medication is so much worse than the slight issues I even had."

• Eve...
• December 2, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I was diagnosed with SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) in July of this year. Had my first round of antibiotics in August (21 days). I'm now on my 2nd round of antibiotics, this time I’m on 500 mg of Flagyl and 875 mg of Augmentin. I’m about 2 weeks in or 14 days in, and I feel horrible. Back pain, pain in both my feet and hands. Dizziness, very fatigued. All I want to do is sleep. I had changes in my urine and stools. Went to the ER because I thought I was literally going to die. I suffer from anxiety, so this medication just makes it worse. I have a racing heart rate, and all my labs and CT of my organs came back normal, thank God. Funny how meds can fix one thing but cause all sorts of other things."

• smo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2016

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "Absolutely awful side effects. First, the dark urine color (not really a problem, but bizarre), then the fatigue, the nausea, the total loss of appetite. I was on this for 10 days for a C. diff infection (caused by clindamycin... AVOID CLINDAMYCIN), and I lost ten pounds. I had to force food down my throat just so I wouldn't wither away, and I could barely get out of bed. Took care of the worst of the C. diff, but not all of it. I still have a C. diff culture in my gut 6 months later."

• eri...
• April 13, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Pathetic medicine. I was prescribed Flagyl 400 mg, 3 times a day for 3 days. After day one, I felt the side effects immediately. Tiredness, fatigue, headaches, and increased sensitivity being the major ones. The worst part is, after completing my course, I'm still feeling the side effects. Sensitivity to light has increased along with dizziness and fatigue!"

• 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."

• Liv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I was supposed to take this twice a day for 7 days. I took it for BV. The first 5 days were fine! It seems to clear up the smell and discharge really quick! I had very few symptoms until the 5th day. On the 5th day, it made my throat swell up to the point where I could barely swallow. Then it gave me extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, and made me feel weak. I felt high. I stopped taking it after five days. I went to see my doctor the next day, and hopefully I won’t have to take this again."

• hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Flagyl for my BV. When I say this drug is a miracle, I just finished my 500 mg for 7 days. I did have side effects. I felt very fatigued, but overall this drug did exactly what it was supposed to do. Very happy with the results and would recommend this antibiotic."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "After having constant diarrhea for 10 days and losing 8 lbs, I was prescribed 500 mg X 3/day for 7 days. I just finished my last dose. I also took the pills with a probiotic. I did experience nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a headache throughout the treatment. However, none of the side effects were extreme. I have had some normal BMs, but I still have diarrhea. I’m just curious to know if it will go away or will I have to be prescribed another dose."

• Cdi...
• June 11, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a bacterial infection. My dose was two 500 mg tablets twice a day. On my 6th day, I went in anaphylactic shock. I had noticed that I was dizzy on the second day and extremely fatigued. Apparently, I’m either allergic or one of those rare cases. Also, if you vape, quit vaping while taking this medication. Worst experience ever."

• 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."

• gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "This happened twice with two different OB/GYN doctors. I went in for my regular Pap smears and walked out of the office with prescriptions for Flagyl. Mind you, in both cases, I had no symptoms of a vaginal bacterial infection. The first time I took the medication, I had horrible side effects: upset stomach, feeling of illness, fatigue, metallic taste in my mouth. After finishing the meds, I ended up with a yeast infection because the meds got rid of all the good vaginal bacteria. I was recently prescribed another round of Flagyl after a routine Pap smear three years later with a different doctor, and again I've had no symptoms of a vaginal infection. I refuse to take the meds. I'm wondering if OB/GYNs are getting kickbacks for writing this prescription. 0 stars!!!!"

• Bei...
• September 14, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Flagyl 500 mg twice a day for 10 days for BV. My only real symptom of BV was bleeding/unusual discharge between periods. I happened to start my period the day I started taking this medication, so I can’t say if it actually worked or not. I decided after day 5 to stop treatment, as a standard prescription is anywhere from 3-10 days. Side effects: no appetite. I lost some weight with this medication and had to force myself to eat something before taking it to avoid an upset stomach. Dark urine. I drink around 50 oz (almost 1.5 liters) of water a day, so this was so odd to see, but I knew it was from the meds. Dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Not consistently but randomly on different days of usage. Fatigue and dizziness on day 4. Dizziness and headache on day 5. Can’t knock it, but I can’t say yet if it actually worked or not."

• Ziy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "I had constant nausea and mild diarrhea on it until I eliminated dairy products. Took more than 24 hours after the last serving, but both the nausea and the diarrhea went away. I've also experienced fatigue, vertigo, and a lot of trouble concentrating. Ugh. But it does seem to be doing the job. I'm taking it and another antibiotic for an infected surgical wound."