Metronidazole for Clostridioides difficile Infection User Reviews

• Beth
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2015

"If you need this medicine it really does work wonders. I had a C. difficile infection for over a month, could barely eat or drink anything and was going to the toilet at least 15 times a day in absolute agony. Within two days of taking metronidazole my bowel movements normalized and the stomach pains started to subside. Not only that it sorted out some of the bowel issues I'd had for two years. My stool was completely normal and bowel movements were pain free and I no longer experienced acid reflux. I did get headaches and some aches and pains but this was so much more tolerable than what I was like before. I can't speak for everyone but for me this medicine was like a miracle for me."

• G slope
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2016

"Was admitted into the hospital for 3 days 2 nights and nobody could figure out what was wrong with me. Ended up finding c diff colitis in my stool and was prescribed 500mg metronidazole (flagyl) as oral tablets. Needless to say everyone I hear from tell me it tastes awful. It's best to swallow as fast as possible for the taste is definitely bad. The doctor who prescribed this told me if you drink plenty of water while taking this medication, your side effects may not even exist. Well he was right. The one time I didn't have any water for a few hours I got the absolute WORST headache that would not go away. I recommend at least 16oz of water per hour with this medication and the side effects should be either mild or non existent. staytough"

• Madha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I am currently on day 5 of a 14 day course of Flagyl for c diff colitis. It has helped with the diarrhea and I am already feeling better. So far I haven’t noticed many side effects. Maybe a little more anxious at times. The worst part was the taste and swallowing the pill before it started dissolving. A coating of peanut butter solved that problem. Makes it super easy to swallow. Now let’s just hope it makes the c diff go away."

• Tizzy...
• October 19, 2011

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I expected the side effects to be horrible, but happily it's okay, and much better than the symptoms I am taking it for. I am day 4 of a 7 day treatment. I have had legs that hurt, the first two days and initially didn't sleep well and the feeling that all strong antibiotics cause. I am taking plenty rest and my anxiety is much better. It appears these bacteria etc. were making that much worse too. My horrible small bowel problems are almost gone. I would give 10/10 if I know that after I finish the course I can eat normally. Complex carbohydrates are out of my diet, they feed the bacteria, and I need to be able to eat normally again."

• Kc16
• October 26, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I am currently finishing up a 14 day round of 3x's a day 500mg Flagyl for C. Diff. C. Diff, alone, is a beast to wrangle. Think food poison but 10x's worse---and the smell, oh that's another thing entirely. I never leave reviews on medications but with the side effects vs. the benefits that I've experienced, I wanted others to know. Benefits: Finally stopped having uncontrollable diarrhea and gas pain. The side effects didn't kick in until about day 7. So far, I've experienced light sensitivity, numbness and tingling on my left flank, insomnia, and an overall feeling of unrestlessness that is very similar to a panic attack. I've also had a runny nose and headaches. The medicine does work but I cannot wait to be finished!!!!!!!!"

• Deathly...
• July 13, 2019

"There are worse things than death. This is one of them. I am NEVER sick. Epitome of good health. Took Clindamycin for tooth infection. Contracted C diff. Horrible. This medication is like chemo. On my 5th day of 14 of 3 500mg pills per day. 20 times a day to the restroom has subsided. Side effects are excruciating. Weak, headaches, fever, metal taste, no appetite, cramps, bloated, dark urine, lethargy, depressed, etc There has to be a better way. I am so tired of this. Week 3 of my summer ruined and gone. Big pharma should try the drugs on management instead of the innocent animals that have died."

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

Flagyl (metronidazole) "Took 500mg 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, 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 yrs. 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."

• smobo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2016

Flagyl (metronidazole) "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."

• Lorisar
• March 17, 2017

Flagyl (metronidazole) "I have ulcerative colitis, and I tested positive for c diff and was put on Flagyl - 500 mg 4x/day. The first 5 days I could function although I had no appetite and was dizzy and nauseated. The last 6 days I was bedridden with nausea and vomiting, aversion to food, dizziness, and the skin on my legs went numb. It's been a week now and the legs' skin is still numb, although it doesn't affect my mobility. I don't want to eat anything still but the food doesn't come back up now. However, all the symptoms of c diff are gone. Seems to have calmed down the UC as well. So yes, it worked very well so far but the side effects for me were horrendous."

• Lano
• September 26, 2018

"Horrible experience! I was taking this medication 500 mg three times a day. I was on Cefdinir for 3 days for a UTI and I didn't take a probiotic while on the medication so I contracted C.diff. I also work in the hospital so while being on the medication I was more prone to catching something. The C.diff was terrible but the medication side effects were even worse. It cleared up the infection pretty fast but like I said the side effects were the worst. This is day 10/10 I still have the metallic taste even though I brush my teeth 4 times a day. I had the dark brown colored urine, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea. I would not recommend this medication to anyone even though I myself work in the healthcare field."

• Mini
• December 17, 2016

"Literally the worst med I have ever been on. I was prescribed 500mg 3x a day for 14 days for c.diff. I'm currently on day 2 and the side effects are awful. I'm constantly nauseous, I've had a headache since yesterday and the taste in my mouth is awful. All food and drinks taste terrible, even water. Regardless of how many times I brush my teeth. Taking the pills is a struggle, they leave a residue in my mouth that won't go away and taste absolutely horrible. It's a fight to actually be able to get them down. I wish I would have done some research before starting the prescription because this is awful. They make me feel like I have the worst stomach flu of my life and have taken all of my energy."

• paige...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2015

"I've had C. Diff for quite a while, but just got diagnosed a few weeks ago. I've take this medication 3 times a day for two weeks (right now I still have a few days left) and I am experiencing the worst side effects any med has ever given me. The medicine tastes awful, and starts immediately dissolving when it goes into your mouth, making it hard to swallow and causing an extremely bitter taste that is hard to get rid of. I am consistently nauseous every time I take it, and threw up a few times from that. I still feel like I have the C. Diff symptoms along with the side effects of the medicine. I also shake so much it's difficult to write and have bad feelings of vertigo, as if I am falling over. Such awful side effects.."

• Jebbie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2016

"Medication probably is working, only on day 3 of 14 day course for C diff. I don't have the stomach cramps and diarrhea any more which is wonderful. The nausea, vomiting, body aches, and headache are all kicking in now. This morning barely made it to the bathroom to throw up, had the dry heaves for quite a while. With the aweful taste in your mouth it is hard to drink or eat. Nothing tastes good. Even water has a yucky taste. Going to keep pushing forward, but next time I am prescribed an antiobiotic I am going to be taking a probiotic along with it. Wish my doctor or pharmacist mentioned this when first medication was prescribed."

• Rickie...
• July 18, 2017

"Just finished 500 mg/3 times/day for 14 days & so happy to be done. Am going to the doctor tomorrow to make sure the clostridium infection (that I got from the antibiotics I took for pneumonia) cleared up. Side effects included nausea, fatigue, light-headed, pain/pressure in the abdomen (though this one might have been from the infection itself) & panic attacks at night. The nausea & fatigue were severe, but not constant. Definitely worse late afternoon & evening. Things I found that helped were drinking pop on ice, eating, and taking the medication with food, which I had to force myself to do -- 2 bananas & then the capsule. Drinking lemonade made it worse. I'm 63 & small so if I can do it, you can too. The infection was worse than the medication."

• Jordan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2016

"My rating is not on the medicine's efficacy as I am only halfway through. I just want to share the hellacious side effects that I have had on it. I literally want to die. Constant headache, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and absolutely everything tastes terribly. Pharmacist recommended lots of gatorade to battle dehydration, but nothing helps. I'm determined to finish the 10 days to beat my infection, but I'm not sure I won't die before then (yes, some exaggeration, but I do feel terribly)."

• Anon
• September 25, 2017

"I was diagnosed with C. diff about a week ago. They think I got it from taking Cefdinir for acne for way too long. I don’t know if this drug is working for me. I guess I’m not going to the bathroom as much as before but I’m very constipated and I have absolutely no appetite. Then when I do eat, my stomach pays for it so I try to refrain from eating all together. Today is day 6 on the meds and I’m experiencing severe pain when urinating like I have never felt that before!! :( its awful. I’m beginning to feel lifeless. I have no energy to do anything and that’s because I have to return back to work in two days. I thought medicine is supposed to make you feel better with time, not worse. I really hope these symptoms start to subside."

• Pey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2017

"Absolutely hate this medication. I've been in the hospital with the norovirus, just to find out I have c diff now and have been taking this medication 3x a day for 10 days. So sick of the nausea, can't tell anymore if the nausea is from c diff or the medicine. Almost done with the medication and I couldn't be more happy. Lost 15 pounds, haven't ate anything no matter how hard I try, dehydrated and sick to my stomach. Absolutely hate this medication and the metallic taste."

• lou
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

"I am a 20 year old female who has been healthy my entire life, went on a trip to Hong Kong over the summer & when I came home is when I experienced odd bowel movement. It wasn’t until 3 months later I found blood in my stool and vomit and immediately went to ER and tested positive for C. diff (the doctors were so confused as to how I could contract it). I'm not sure if my trip was the cause but it seems likely. I was prescribed flagyl and within 2 days my bowel movement was a bit better but the side effects are HORRIBLE, I have constant nausea, brain fog, dizziness, headaches, panic attacks, and the stomach pain is unbearable. I am currently on day 5/10, 3 pills a day 500mg each. I am seeking the ER once more in hopes to find out what is really wrong because there is no way this medication is working!!!!!! I have never been more sick and dependent on other people to help me even get out of bed, in my entire life. All these reviews make me feel less crazy!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2014

"I was on this medication twice a day for ten days for C. diff infection. I just finished my last round today and wanted to give a review. I have experienced nearly every side effect possible. Terrible nausea, dizziness, tingling sensations in my legs, and insomnia. They were the worst the first few days on the medicine, however, all of my C. diff symptoms have done away and I feel much better. I'm giving it a 9 since it was effective, but the side effects were bad. It is a tough medicine to take, but I do recommend it as the side effects will go away and it will relieve the symptoms of C. diff."

• Torie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2012

"I have been lying in bed for 2 hours debating on taking this pill again, I read a couple of comments on here about the peanut butter coating, Peanut butter makes it go down so much easier! Thank you! thank you! Thank you!"

• Anony...
• December 1, 2017

"My dentist prescribed me with clindamycin - (avoid CLINDAMYCIN) nobody told me to take probiotics with it. It gave me a closotridial infection. Any how, I just finished metronidazole 500mg 3x a day for 10 days and still notice black particles in my stool. The diarrhea and abdominal pain has stopped which is awesome. I just feel really stressed and annoyed and I am just worried when it will completely go away so I don't infect my family."

• 888ig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2013

"I am taking this for C-diff. The medicine stopped the diarrhea after 3 days, but the medicine has made me sick to where I feel nauseous all the time. I was very sensitive to light as well. I have a 14 day supply and am on day 12. The taste is horrible and have gagged several times because it would get stuck in my throat. I am a baby when it comes to taking pills, but this has definitely been my worst experience. Just hope I am all cleared up when I go for my follow up visit. I am a 41 year old female and had bloody mucus in my stools which is what made me finally go to the doctor. I had previously taken an antibiotic for a sinus infection which most likely caused the c-diff."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2016

"I caught c diff after having two surgeries in 2 days and a hospital stay. I was in so much pain from the cdiff, nausea, diarrhea, cramping, sharp stabbing pains, and no appetite. I did one round of meds 3 times a day for 14 days. The symptoms only subsided a little, got tested again and still had high toxin levels. So they gave me another round, symptoms again got a little better. Got tested again and still had the toxins, so yet another round. To this day my insides are still haywire, but maybe have to do with the gallbladder removal as well. My surgeon explained cdiff can be a hard bugger to eliminate sometimes. So I feel like the medicine did its job, it won the war, just took a few battles to get there."

• Meano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

"This is the absolute WORST antibiotic I have ever taken in my life. I have been to the ER 3 times with horrible stomach spasms, nausea and foggy brain and no doctor could figure out what was wrong. The latest visit was today. I have finally decided to do my own research and ended up here. *The metalic taste lasts all day long and is disguisting. *After about an hour of taking it, it's like a wave hits me and I become dizzy, disoriented and foggy. *I have been so tired barely able to keep focused at work *no appetite and no thirst *dark urine *vomiting I have lost 8 lbs on this medication and I am cutting it short today. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy"

• ker
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2022

"I developed C.diff. from Augmentin for a sinus & throat infection. Because of weekends, holidays & labs slowed by the ongoing pandemic, it took an extra 10 days to get the C.diff. diagnosis. Then my doctor tried Vancomycin. Twice. It didn't work. So now she went to metronidazole 500mg t.i.d., because my insurance requires me to try this before a more expensive antibiotic. By day 2 of this, the diarrhea stopped, which is a relief, so now I'm pretty much constipated. After 2 months of diarrhea & soft stools, this is welcome. But the side effects have me thinking the C.diff. is just bent on taking me down one way or another. The awful metallic taste, fuzzy tongue, dizziness, and even worse insomnia & mental fog than I usually have are bad enough, but now I also am itching all over despite taking Allegra-D during the day and Benadryl at night! I just finished day 10 of 14 days. I've been sucking on hard-tack candies & chewing gum to stop this taste! This had better cure the C.diff.!"