Metronidazole and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lyn...
• November 1, 2015

For Diverticulitis "39-year-old mom of 4. On my 2nd bout of diverticulitis (1st one 7 years earlier), I was given 10 days of Flagyl & Cipro. I took them together twice a day, and then the 3rd Flagyl by itself at night. I noticed a minimal yucky taste when taking them, but by the time I had finished my water, it was usually gone. I had a metallic taste approximately 3 times total that lasted just minutes. By the last part of day 2, I was feeling better, day 3 there was no more pain. By day 4, there was some discoloration of urine - rusty colored to orange. I never ever felt anxious, nauseous, had diarrhea, or felt tired. Overall, great experience with the combo of meds!"

• Pie...
• December 21, 2016

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "Ok, so I didn't know what was going on. This medicine has totally changed. My side effects are nausea, lower back pain every time I stand, mouth taste blah, and tired. Oh, gas and diarrhea. I'm so glad tomorrow is my last day. The best advice I can give is to eat heavy."

• Jab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2014

For Dental Abscess "Prescribed with amoxicillin, I have sore joints, am weaker than normal, have the most intense and beefy (flows like liquid but there's more oomph to it than normal) diarrhea, but the swelling in my jaw is dwindling rapidly after day 3 of a 7-day course. It's worth the side effects for me, especially since the diarrhea is almost enjoyable because of the sheer novelty of it."

• raf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2021

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I was prescribed metronidazole, doxycycline, Prilosec, and bismuth for two weeks to treat H. pylori. My side effects include headaches, cramps, upset stomach, tingling sensation, fogginess, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and an awfully bad metallic taste. I can't concentrate on anything, my stool is pitch black, and I feel depressed. Metronidazole is very hard to swallow, it is very bitter and wreaks havoc on my stomach. For all the trouble I went through, I hope H. pylori is eradicated from my system."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2013

For Diverticulitis "I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in the ER. I was given 2 antibiotics. I remember one of them leaving such a horrible taste in my mouth that I literally scraped the back of my tongue with a paper towel. From the prescription, I learned the names Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole, take every 12 hrs for 10 days. By the 3rd dose, I had the strongest headache ever and diarrhea! The pharmacist told me that the headache was a result of the diarrhea because my body was being drained. Said I should increase my water intake. Today I'm at dose 5, and I must say the pain has subsided greatly, now at '3'. I did increase my water intake, and although the diarrhea is still here, the headache too has subsided, now at a '2'."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2015

For Diverticulitis "I'm really glad I read the hints about taking the Cipro 2 hours after the Flagyl. I hope it helps! Also got some Zofran. I came down with diverticulitis for the first time ever and was prescribed the above drug combo. I'm on day two and the debilitating pain is gone. But now I have the dreaded nausea and diarrhea, and just plain feeling like I have stomach flu! But I'm going to try the suggestions offered by others and keep my fingers crossed they work... otherwise, I'm not sure how to go back to work without toting along a porta potty :)"

• ash...
• July 24, 2013

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "I really don't understand all the negative reviews for this medicine. I've been on it for three solid days now and have had absolutely no issues. I'm taking 500 mg, one pill twice a day. I've been taking it after lunch and dinner and haven't had any issues with diarrhea, nausea, or dizziness. As for people complaining about the taste of the pill, how are you even able to know what it tastes like? It should be in your mouth for less than a second, just swallow it down with a glass of water or some orange juice."

• sur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2022

Metronidazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "The reviews I saw for this drug scared the hell out of me. I was dealing with stomach issues for months before finally going to the doctor for it. I had every symptom of H. pylori, and a blood test confirmed it. I started out with clarithromycin, and I had an awful experience, I had every single side effect. I switched to Flagyl. I had a 14-day treatment with one pill every 8 hours. I'm 19 and weighed 115. After the medicine, I now weigh 108 but feel better than I ever have before. YOU NEED THIS!! The treatment is not as bad as everyone says. Remember to take probiotics. The first week was great, the only side effects I had were loss of appetite, diarrhea, and my urine was a much darker color. I never had a bad metallic taste, but my tongue felt coated, like something was constantly at the back of my throat. Eating and drinking helped with that. My GI doctor prescribed me Protonix, Zofran, and Levsin before the treatment, which seemed to really help while also taking the antibiotics."

• Lei...
• September 4, 2017

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I wasn't going to write a review on this, but I thought I should to give a reason for women to relax! I was given metronidazole, 500 mg twice a day for 7 days for BV. After reading these reviews, I was terrified to take this antibiotic. I was supposed to take it on a Thursday, but was so terrified of everyone's experiences on it that I started it a day late. I feel foolish for reading too much into other reviews. I just finished my second day, and I haven't had any of the terrifying side effects that most of these other women on here have had. The only thing I have, which isn't a big deal compared to the symptoms most of the women stated, is slight diarrhea. Key word: SLIGHT. Don't freak out by others' experiences! And it's already working with my BV!"

• Rki...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2016

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed a 500 mg 3x a day dosage for 10 days. I always have issues with antibiotics, but this by far is the worst side effects I've ever had! The metallic taste, diarrhea, headaches, and overall feeling are horrible. I just completed day 5, and it was so bad that I wanted to stick my fingers down my throat and force myself to throw up! I also started to develop oral thrush! The medicine does seem to be working, but I'm not taking all 10 days. I feel like I can barely make it to 7!!"

• 3te...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

For Diverticulitis "The side effects I had from this drug were 100 times worse than the diverticulitis. Horrible anxiety, brain fog, bloating, constant diarrhea, and tinnitus, which still hasn't gone away. The doctor took me off of it after 5 days."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2015

For Trichomoniasis "I had no signs of the infection or how long I have had it. I was prescribed to take the 4 (500 mg) for one day, and they tasted horrible. The first three days, I had some diarrhea and nausea. After day 3, I had begun getting very nauseous but thought I was getting better. Days 5-7 brought me awful headaches, flu-like symptoms, an achy body, and I had a 101.2 temp. It's now been 9 days since taking the medication, and I still feel horrible, and I'm having ALL symptoms from day 1-8. This medication sucks, but it does wonders for the infection. Good luck to anyone who has to take this."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2019

Metronidazole for Helicobacter Pylori Infection "The side effects from Flagyl have been worse than my original symptoms of H. pylori. Explosive diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite, urgency, and general discomfort. I have two days left of a 10-day, 3 times a day cycle. I cannot wait for it to be over. Don't take this stuff unless you have to. It has been hard."

• pmv...
• November 13, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "My last day on metronidazole, hooray. Am so glad I found this thread. I have felt horrible for the whole week. Took it for bacterial vaginitis, given by my OB-GYN. First two days were okay. Then had really bad diarrhea and rumbling sensations in my tummy. No appetite, dizzy, felt so sick after taking it, no appetite, and my urine was brown. I didn't want to stop the course, though, because it cleared up my infection. I just wish we were told of the side effects."

• Bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

For Trichomoniasis "I was given five 400 mg metronidazole pills to take at once, along with other pills and an injection. I had major side effects, I was dizzy and had diarrhea that lasted for weeks. The symptoms decreased, but the infection did not go away. I was prescribed an additional 400 mg dose of 14 pills. I took two per day and still symptoms decrease, but the trichomoniasis infection is still persistent. Nothing seems to work for me."

• Nap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2020

For Pelvic Inflammatory Disease "I have been diagnosed with suspected PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) so was given this drug metronidazole alongside Ofloxacin. I'm on day 2 of these drugs. I am not sure what's my illness and what's the side effects of these drugs. But looking at others' symptoms, it seems that what I've been experiencing is likely the side effects. I've had really awful nausea, stomach pains, soft stools, insomnia, metallic taste, frequently peeing, hot flushes, and hot cheeks (but no real temperature) sweating. I hope as my course progresses these symptoms will ease, but seemingly others haven't been so lucky, so I probably won't feel much better. At this rate - so long as it clears up my infection, I'll put up with it."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2017

For Diverticulitis "I hate this drug so much I can hardly stand it. Unfortunately, this (with Cipro) seems to be the only viable treatment. Hate this so much I waited 2 weeks hoping it would go away by itself. Now on day 3. Sick as a dog. Nausea. Uncontrollable diarrhea. Dreadfully groggy, like I've taken sleeping pills. Lucky I'm retired, I can't leave the house. Can't get off the couch."

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For Diverticulitis "On my fifth day of metronidazole, two days to go. Last time I had a diverticulitis attack and told the consultant I had horrendous diarrhea and nausea with these meds. Said it’s not the medication, it doesn’t cause these symptoms. Don’t know what to think, really. All I know is that when you feel so poorly and have continuous side effects, you really need someone to take you seriously."

• con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2023

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "I recently finished the 14-day quad therapy for H. pylori, which was diagnosed when I had an EGD, and I wanted to share my experience. I gathered as much information as I could before starting the medication because I was aware of how brutal it could be. I staggered the 2 antibiotics by 1/2 hour rather than taking them both at once: I did this on an empty stomach. For the metronidazole, I poured a pool of water in the base of my mouth, quickly dropped it in, and gulped it immediately, followed by a full glass of water. I believe that this helped to avoid some of the uncomfortable aftereffects that are notorious for this medicine. I avoided dairy completely, and I was diligent in taking the meds every 6 hours. I also took Manuka honey and S. boulardii. It's a difficult regimen, and I was very sick with weakness, nausea, diarrhea, and gut pain, but I was determined to finish it with the hope of eradicating this bacterial infection. My 6-week stool test was negative."

• Jj2...
• September 8, 2016

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I would NOT recommend this crap to my worst enemy! I've never taken medicine that made me as sick as I am. I was prescribed metronidazole to take twice a day for 7 days. It caused very bad headaches, mild fever, a horrible taste to cold drinks and foods, vomiting nearly 12 hours straight, nausea, diarrhea, ugh!! I'm on day 6 and I honestly can't wait until my last day tomorrow. It also caused a yeast infection. I just feel horrible. Like, why do they even have this medication on the market? I don't know how I'm going to take my 2nd dose for day 6 because I feel too queasy. I just want to get back to my normal self. I'm restless!"

• sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2014

For Diverticulitis "I was hospitalized with diverticulitis for 5 days. Previously, I was treated with Levaquin and another antibiotic, not sure of the name. After having an allergic reaction to Levaquin, I was given Flagyl. Immediately, I started having watery diarrhea, which made me weak. I could not eat or smell anything without nausea. I told my doctor, but he kept it up. After a day on intravenous Flagyl, I was throwing up green, and diarrhea was also green. I could not leave the room because I could not get any distance from the toilet. Still, they continued to pump the Flagyl in, and I got sicker and sicker. Finally, I begged my doctor to let me go home because the diverticulitis was gone because I had taken 10 days of Cipro before being admitted."

• Sol...
• September 12, 2017

For Diverticulitis "I was diagnosed with diverticulitis about 4 years ago after having an attack that sent me to the ER. I have been put on the Cipro/metronidazole combo several different times, and each time, the side effects, in combination with the diverticulitis attack, made me miserable. I'm on the fifth day of my latest attack, and the pain is finally starting to subside, but the misery invoked by metronidazole is horrible. I will remember to ask my doc for something else in the future. Nausea, dry mouth, horrible taste in my mouth, furry tongue, diarrhea, and sinus congestion/sore throat have been the side effects I am dealing with. I spent three days in bed and finally had to go back to work, but I'm miserable. I will be so glad to take the last dosage!"

• Ves...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I've used this before with no problems, but this time-wow. It definitely gets rid of BV, but the side effects are awful. First, it tastes terrible. My taste has been off all week. I feel nauseated all the time, have diarrhea, and feel depressed. And I'm so tired. I had one pill left, and I will not take it. Hopefully, next time I can be prescribed something different."

• KCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2018

Metronidazole for Diverticulitis "I took this for a diverticulitis abscess for ten days. I do not handle antibiotics well. I found with this one you definitely need to eat something with it. If I didn't, my stomach would hurt. Mild diarrhea, tolerable. Some nausea. Otherwise, no problems."

• Boo...
• June 7, 2015

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "This medication worked wonders! I was a little skeptical about it from doing research, but with anything you Google search, if you dig around long enough, you will eventually find something scary. I have had no diarrhea while on this medication, as some of the complaints were mostly about diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and cramps. Let me tell you, drink PLENTY of water! Don't drink soda, tea, punch, etc. I mean straight-up water! I also picked up Kefir; it's a cultured low-fat milk smoothie. It will do wonders for your stomach! I also took Zantac 150 mg 30 minutes before taking the Metro pill. The only side effect I have had was a tender tongue under my chin. P.S. If your urine is dark (a common complaint by most), you need more water, people! Hope this helps you!"