Metronidazole and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Amy...
• October 3, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I was on metronidazole (Flagyl) & ciprofloxacin for diverticulitis. Let me start off by saying these two medications together SUCK, however they DO work. I have never had any problems with medications...ever (in 40 years). This time though, at times, I thought I was dying! Best described as the worst flu ever. Massive nausea, occasional vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, horrible taste in my mouth, nothing tasted good, and my appetite was bad. Day 4 was the peak of feeling awful. I went to every review site trying to gather what worked to curb the symptoms. Everyone is different, so what worked for others didn't necessarily work for me. Here is what did work for me a bit, in case it can help anyone else. 1.) Try not to take them together. Split up the doses by like an hour or so. 2.) Take each dose with a little food (even if you aren't hungry), something bland. DO NOT USE DAIRY PRODUCTS. This made my nausea worse! 3.) Have mints or candy at all times. Your mouth will feel gross and things will taste funny. However, I found spearmints also helped soothe the tummy a bit. 4.) Pepto-Bismol. 5.) Try not to take them immediately before bed at night. Give it about an hour or two. I noticed nausea will wake me up throughout the night if I take them too close to going to sleep. GOOD LUCK, and remember: Your doctor prescribed these for a reason. A reason that could turn into life-threatening unless you get it controlled. The worst thing ever is to start taking an antibiotic and then stopping it mid-cycle, as your body then becomes immune to it and is essentially ineffective."

• Jea...
• January 31, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "With all the negative reviews, I felt compelled to share my positive experience. After suffering horrendously from a tooth abscess for an entire month with 2 rounds of Amoxicillin, my dentist prescribed me a Metronidazole dose of 400 mg, 3 times per day, for 5 days. The first day, I felt very tired taking this medication. Mornings were the worst as I felt like I had been hit by a truck-very blah, tired, groggy. I hesitated taking this medicine for the first couple of days because of this, but I powered through and still took my prescribed doses. I never had any stomach problems, headaches, or any other side effects. Then, on the 3rd day, I woke up and my pain was almost completely gone, and the swelling was significantly down. This medication is no joke. A week later, my abscess is completely gone now. It may make you feel strange, tired, hungover, but it absolutely worked for me. I will gladly trade the feeling of being groggy over the pain of an abscess any day! I recommend giving it a try!"

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Diverticulitis "My doctor prescribed metronidazole and Cipro for diverticulitis. I have been taking them for 9 days and have been extremely tired and fatigued, with bouts of diarrhea, and I basically head to the bathroom within a few minutes of eating anything. I am on a probiotic and eating Activia yogurt to help with the stomach issues. I also started having severe upper abdominal and back pain, which is a weird sensation. I did not know what was causing this, but I read on this site where a few other folks had the same problems. UGH!! I'm still having some very low tenderness in my lower colon area, but I think the constant bathroom trips are possibly causing this problem. I guess I should go back to the doctor, but do not want to. I'm really concerned about the upper abdominal and back pain. It is fairly constant and feels tender to the touch. Good luck out there, folks! Diverticulitis is no fun."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2014

For Trichomoniasis "I had to take a one-time dose of 4 500mg capsules. About two hours after taking the dose, I noticed I was feeling extremely tired. I was driving and decided to make my way home, so I wouldn't recommend driving. About 4 hours after, I felt a lot of nausea and general flu-like symptoms. I felt like I needed to sleep but was unable to fall asleep. These symptoms were not unbearable. It's been 3 days since I've taken this medication, and I still have minor side effects lingering. I have been having great sleep, random nausea, vivid dreams, and random bouts of fatigue. ALL of my symptoms from trichomoniasis have disappeared, so I would recommend this medication."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2015

Metronidazole for Diverticulitis "Day 3 on Flagyl and Cipro. I thought I was having a heart attack. This stuff has horrid side effects. Discomfort in my chest and arm. Foggy-headed feeling, dizziness, unbalanced, headache, very nauseous, metal taste, very blurry eyesight. No energy, at 55 it is not a good thing to feel this way, especially when you are overweight and out of shape. This is only day 3. I don't think I can take this stuff for 7 more days. They say the IV kind is worse though. Supposedly it's helping (I do feel less pain in my abdomen, I think). If I make it through this stuff, I bet I will watch what I eat and make better choices in the future. I called the pharmacy and the doc, and both said to stay on it, Cipro 2X daily and Flagyl 4X daily. Scary stuff."

• kb7...
• February 7, 2015

For Diverticulitis "I was put on metronidazole 500 mg and Cipro 500 mg twice daily for diverticulitis. I noticed the pain eased up after 2 days. I'm on day 5 and I feel horrid. Diarrhea, headache, tired, dizzy, nauseous, foggy-headed, anxiety, depression, and body pain. I don't know if I can do this for 5 more days!"

• Sev...
• November 3, 2016

Metronidazole 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!"

• Gar...
• June 20, 2015

Metronidazole for Diverticulitis "Prescribed Flagyl and Cipro for diverticulitis, and both worked well. Hard to tease out which caused some of the side effects, however, Flagyl seemed the milder of the two. Bad pill taste is no problem, but the metallic taste tainted everything. So glad to hear others experienced heightened/changed sense of smell! I thought I was going crazy! No nausea with the Flagyl alone, but about an hour after adding the Cipro, the exhaustion and nausea are awful. Also, dark urine and diarrhea, which are unsettling but sound normal."

• Kit...
• February 10, 2020

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "I was given this for BV. I've been on this for 6 days, was given 2x a day for 7 days. The taste is horrendous. I've noticed a bit of tiredness, I always have back pain, so I can't attribute that to the medication. I haven't noticed any other symptoms."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2018

Metronidazole for Diverticulitis "I went to my doctor for lower abdominal pain and was told I had diverticulitis. I was prescribed Flagyl and Cipro. It started out with nausea, so I called my doctor because I had terrible nausea, and I was prescribed Zofran. I still have two and a half days left, and it's absolute torture! I have never had side effects like this: debilitating nausea, headaches, chills and sweats, lethargy, metallic taste, diarrhea, and I am having trouble sleeping because of the nausea and my upset stomach. I kind of feel like I have the flu without a fever. I am up right now at 4 a.m., sipping ginger ale, trying to get through the night. The pain in my abdomen has subsided. This medication is very harsh on the body."

• Mar...
• February 18, 2020

For Diverticulitis "Taking Flagyl with Cipro for diverticulitis, feel weak and tired, a bit dizzy and loss of appetite, but the pain is pretty much gone. Taking these monster pills with applesauce, and it really helps! Also taking a good probiotic. Day 4 of 7."

• Ele...
• September 6, 2014

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I experienced a couple of side effects: metallic taste in mouth, sore throat, abdominal pain, loose stools, headache, nausea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and a yeast infection at day 5! Side effects aside, this stuff works. All symptoms of bacterial vaginitis disappeared by day 2. Take some probiotics while taking this and hopefully you can avoid a yeast infection. Felt like the longest week of my life. I need a drink (you have to avoid alcohol on this)."

• Oce...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I feel horrible. I have one more day left (I was prescribed metronidazole intravaginally for five days) and amen to that. Although it has worked wonders and gotten rid of an infection I've had for years and could never completely eradicate, these side effects are horrible. I've been dizzy, have had terrible headaches, eye pain, aches all over my body, absolutely no appetite (I'm repulsed by any food!), when I force myself to eat, I get sick immediately after, gnawing stomach pains, pressure-like back pains, pain in my actual ovaries, grogginess, constantly tired but sleeping is beyond difficult (I somehow managed four hours last night), when I do sleep, it's not refreshing at all, and exercising is practically impossible."

• Vic...
• November 27, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I was given metronidazole and Flagyl after a diverticulitis flare-up that took me to the emergency room. It was fine the first couple of days I took them. After the fourth day or so, my real nightmare began: irritated, bitchy, depressed, moody. No appetite, bad taste in my mouth, even drinking water was a task. I also had severe chills, feeling exhausted, even walking to the restroom was a task. In other words, I felt like I was being poisoned by these horrible meds. After a vomiting episode and so much gas in my stomach, I called the 24-hour hotline to my doctor's office, she agreed to stop taking them. It was already almost 10 days with those nasty meds. It's been 2 days now since I stopped them, still feeling crappy, exhausted, and my tummy is still unsettled."

• Sto...
• August 15, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I'm a 34-year-old male in relatively good shape, active, and always on my feet. I've had diverticulitis off and on for four years. When it flares up, the pain is terrible, coupled with a 50-hour-a-week job and two young children, it makes life a living hell. When I get a flare-up (still can't figure out why I get them, everything seems to cause my guts to go crazy), I was put on Flagyl and Cipro. The first few flare-ups, I stopped taking the medicine. I felt like absolute garbage-exhausted, nauseous, brain fog, and achy all over. I stopped taking them and let my body do its thing. This past bout was too much to handle, and I had to take the meds as directed. Day three, and I am feeling much better. The meds WORK! Endure, and get well."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2019

For Dental Abscess "I nearly didn’t take metronidazole after reading these comments. I’m so glad I decided to take it anyway, as it is curing my dry socket. I took advice from one review and am eating a lot of live yogurt (with ginger) and probiotics. I’m also making sure I eat before taking it. I find that I feel sick if I don’t eat regularly. I’m feeling very tired, but at the end of the day, I feel lucky to have access to antibiotics."

• Gru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2019

For Diverticulitis "I take metronidazole 3 times a day for diverticulitis. I have been on this off and on for 5 months. I have lost 30 pounds and have no appetite. I just don't feel like I am living. The taste is terrible and dry heaves nonstop. I have to stay on this medication until we schedule surgery. I am not eating much, tired, and don’t want to do anything. The holiday is approaching, and it is my favorite holiday. I hope never to have to be on this again. I feel like I want to jump out of my skin and cry a lot. This is not how I want to live my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2012

Metronidazole for Bacterial Infection "My doctor gave me this because I had bacterial vaginosis. Not even 12 hours into my first dose, I got the metallic taste in my mouth, then severe stomach cramps and nausea. I'm on day 5 and have had bouts of nausea throughout the course of my medication. My appetite has gone way, way down, and I'm so tired! I literally will sleep 12 hours and then get up for 2, then go back to bed for another 4! Having trouble staying awake at work, but it is doing its job!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I was put on Flagyl and Cipro for the next ten days. I have been on it for 2 days now and already feel a lot better - just tired. I felt as if I was run over by a truck before I started taking the medication. My pain felt more like contractions! The pain has subsided quite a bit. Hopefully, by the end of ten days, I will be as good as new! Good luck to everyone."

• Sun...
• January 15, 2020

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I have taken metronidazole many times in the past and only experienced the normal metallic taste and slight nausea, there is something very different about the ones I got recently. I have never felt anything like this, so tired, I couldn't get out of bed. I thought maybe I came down with the flu. I also had hot and cold sweats, I was so weak, my brain fog got so bad I couldn't think straight. I felt very depressed and anxious. I feel they are putting something different in them now. I can't deal with this feeling much longer, I feel like I'm not in my own body anymore. I don't know what to do, I don't have med insurance to go see a therapist or any other doctor, so now I'll just have to tough it out and pray these side effects go away soon. I've only been off of them for 36 hours. I read it takes 44 hours for them to leave your system. I pray everyone recovers fully from these. I imagine this is what a bad LSD trip feels like, I want to get out of my body. I'm scared."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2015

For Diverticulitis "I just had my 1st bout of diverticulitis and am now being treated with Cipro and Flagyl. I was in ER for a few hours with IV antibiotics, then sent home. This was Wednesday night, and I started treatment Thursday. The pain has eased up, but I feel tired a lot, feel depressed and spaced out, and went from being constipated to diarrhea. My urine looks dark like beer, a bitter taste in my mouth, gas and burbling noises...not fun. But considering how sick I was before treatment (fever, abdominal pain, terrible diarrhea...thought it was the gastro), this isn't so bad. Every day it seems to improve...I hope this clears up, and I will do my utmost to make sure I never have another flare-up again."

• sis...
• September 15, 2018

Metronidazole 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."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2014

For Diverticulitis "This is my first time with a Flagyl and Cipro combination. It's been 3 days, and I am so nauseous, and the lethargy is awful. I'm not sure I can continue the combination, but I will be calling the doctor Monday morning. And I do have Zofran. These side effects are terrible."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2016

For Trichomoniasis "I am 6 weeks pregnant, and I found out I have trich. I am taking Flagyl 500 mg for trich. I have to take it for 7 days! I am on day 3. I have been feeling dizzy today, have stomach pain, and have been tired. I have pooped today, and it was black and brown, I have never had my poop be black before. I can't wait until this is over with. This taste is so freaking nasty. Never again having unprotected sex without knowing the status of the partner first! Always be safe and wrap it up, and know your partner's status first."

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I took it along with Cipro for diverticulitis. There was not a lot of effect for the first 2 days, but after that, the drugs started to work, and I started feeling better. After a full 7 days, I'm glad to be finished. I had taken Cipro on its own before with minimal side effects. With the combo, I found that there were quite a lot. I was quite listless and almost depressed and tired, plus my joints are very sore. There is a nasty taste in my mouth, and my tongue is sore and very grayish. I was very moody for a few days, but this seems to have stopped. Since the diverticulitis makes me feel really awful, I was grateful for the antibiotics, and they worked. Many people have reported diarrhea, but I did not, pee certainly turned a dark orange."