I've taken Zpak several times (4+) and each time, it worked like a charm to cure ear, nose & throat infections. I think it worked better for me overall because of the short-dosage cycle which made it easier for me to take the full course prescribed (2 first day, 1 every day thereafter for 4 days). Side effects: diarrhea, cramping, headache, feeling "high" or medicine head--taken with or without food. Hard to say if these effects are attributed to meds or to the infection itself. Boyfriend taking Z-pak right now--he reports severe body ache, skin sensitivity (to touch), and feeling like crap. Again--hard to say if from med or virus/bacteria.