Biaxin and biaxin xl

I have been taking Biaxin XL 500mg for three days now for bronchitis. I have been sick to my stomache, I have had the runs, and the WORST taste in my mouth ever, no matter how much I brush my teeth or chew gum. Another shock came when I got my period. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and do NOT get a natural period. Unless I take birth control and induce a period, I do not get one. Plain and simple. While I wiped after peeing, I noticed that the wipe felt a bit 'slimey' (gross I know) I pulled the tissue up to see what was the matter, and there it was, a bloody mucous mixed with my urine, and what looked like they could be blood clots, in the toilet, however they looked more like balls of bloody phlegm. Doctor said, sit it out and keep it clean.

I went to the doctor with complaints of possible mold/fungus in my lungs which got better on it's own - but progressed to a throat infection. Later, my right nostril was runny for a while, which progressed into a blockage/infection of my middle ear. The doctor agreed - I have no compacted wax or anything wrong with my outer ear, so it seems to be a middle ear infection. He prescribes Biaxin XL 500mg for seven days, for my combination of ailments.

By the first day, I had a very vivid wet dream. Awesome, I guess. Then the second day I start with diarrhea, and another vivid dream. Today is the third day, and I slept before work. Had another vivid dream about someone building a house for me - and really runny stool. I can hardly call it diarrhea - more like urinating from my anus. Anyway.

Blockage in my ear went away the second day, but it's back again. I searched the net to explain the diarrhea (hopefully find something explaining the expulsion of bacteria causes this, but no, just a 'side effect' I suppose). I'm going to take some Imodium as soon as I can to battle the diarrhea, and hopefully things will get better by the end.

I can't complain about the dreams though. No nightmares yet, and I enjoy remembering my dreams, so...

My son was prescribed Biaxin XL for bronchitis. After the first day taking it he began feeling very moody. Crying all the time, not sleeping. Then the paranoia set in. Feelings of wanting to hurt himself. Kept saying he felt like he was losing his mind. Not in touch with reality anymore. Saying he felt like something was eating him from the inside out. Finally after looking up on the computer was able to discover it was this horrible medicine. Had he taken his ten day dosage I am very afraid he would not be here with me today. STAY AWAY FROM THIS HORRIBLE DRUG! IT SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET, AND THE DOCTORS PRESCRIBING IT SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS THAT COULD HAPPEN BY PRESCRIBING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am on biaxin xl...2-500mg once a day. started it today and have nasty taste in my mouth, feel like my heart is pounding, mild headache, anxiety, increased salivation, increased urination....this sucks

I've been taking Biaxin XL 500 mg. 2 pills together once a day for a sinus infection. Today would be day 4. The infection is improving but since I've started this drug I've been feeling totally crappy. I've had a headache and haven't been able to sleep at all for 3 nights. I lie there with pressure on my chest. The pharmacist said that is a very potent antibiotic, hard on the body but they said it's best antibiotic - but at what cost? I certainly don't want to feel like this for another 7 days. After reading all these postings I'm definitely calling my doctor to chance medications. Thanks for all the postings.

I have been on Biaxin XL 500 mg - 2 pills taken at the same time once a day. Today would be the 4th dose. I was sure to take the pills on a full stomach. My sinus infection seems a little better but I'm feeling totally lousy. I've had a headache and I haven't been able to sleep at all for the last 3 nights. I lie there with a pressure in my chest. Even after missing only 1 night of sleep I felt horrible and I'm sure it wasn't only from missing the sleep. Biaxin is definitely affecting my whole body. I've been on antibiotics before and never had any kind of reaction like this. I had called the pharmacist and they said that this is a very potent antibiotic, hard on the body but best on the market. True it may clear up an infection but at what cost. After reading all these side effects I'm definitely calling my doctor today and asking for a different medication. Thanks for this website.

I was prescribed Biaxin XL 4 days ago for sinus infection ( 2 -500mg tablets taken together once per day). The side effects were worse than the infection for me. I became extremely anxious and panicky, nauseated, sweaty, tired but unable to sleep and I lost my sense of smell and had a terrible metallic taste in my mouth. By the third day, I could tell the infection seemed a little better, but then I took my third dose and within 30 minutes I got the shakes, suffered diarrhea with terrible stomach cramps, vision problems, loss of appetite and a terrible anxiety/panic attack where I felt that I was losing it. I had to leave work to get home quickly. My blood pressure kept going higher and higher and I started to get teary. This was one of the worst days of my life. I have stopped taking this medication and have replaced it with amoxicillin. Today I feel much better and blood pressure has gone down. I will never take Biaxin again. Continuing on this medication for 10 days could have led me to suicide. If you feel these things when taking any medication, stop taking it right away and speak with your doctor and pharmacist. When I contacted my doctor;s office they said it should not make me feel anxious. They should obviously do more research on the drugs that they prescribe. I hope no one else experiences these terrible side effects.

I was prescribed both Biaxin XL and Tussionex for acute bronchitis. At fist, the side effects were quite mild...drowsiness, "medicine head", some dizziness, however, as the treatment progressed, the side effects became much more severe...heavy sweating at night, insomnia, increased anxiety, depression. I thought I was losing my mind! I have a history of mild anxiety (one anxiety attack in my life due to being sleep deprived for 48 hours), however, during the course of this treatment, it seemed that I had experienced at least 4 or 5 panic/anxiety attacks at precisely the same time every day??? I have never been exposed to either hydrocodone nor a macrolide antibiotic, and have never experienced "mental" side effects from meds in my life.

Has anyone had further testing...allergy testing, blood work? I am going to be talking to my family physician soon, and really want answers. This experience scared the life out of me! Please let me know if anyone has had any viable answers for their ordeals.

I saw an elderly ENT who prescribed Biaxin XL 1000mg/once per day for a severe sinus infection of the ethmoid, maxillay and frontal sinuses. I was not getting any better, in fact I was getting worse. I decided to go for a second opinion and learned that Biaxin is not as wide spectrum of an antibiotic as Augmentin is for sinus infections. The key strains of bacteria are not being obliterated from the Biaxin. MDs who prescribe Biaxin are not staying on top of current literature as Biaxin was commonly prescribed in the 1980s and 1990s.

My incredible side effects to Biaxin XL (including not wiping out the bacteria) include: lingering bad bitter taste, night sweats, insomnia, extreme stomach cramping, constant stomach churning (which kept me up at night), terrible diarrhea, nausea. The only plus side is that was more mentally alert.

If your doctor prescribes Biaxin for sinusitis, leave that doctor immediately and seek help from another practitioner who is more current on medications of choice for treatment.

I have had a chronic dry cough for the past 5 years. Now they are saying I have whooping cough. I have been taking Clarithromyn ER TB 500 mg. the generic for Biaxin XL 500 mg. Last night I had to go to the ER. I felt like I was having a heart attack. I could not catch my breath, my left arm was tingling, kind of going numb. Also felt like I might pass out. On the way to the ER I was trembling, and very jittery. I felt very STRANGE!!!!!! The ER said it was just a panic attack. I have never had panic attacks!!! The past few day I have been telling my co-workers how I felt like my throat was closing up. I am calling the doctor today to see about not finishing my last 4 days of the medicine. I am glad I found this site to see that other people have experienced the same symptoms and I am not going crazy.

My wife and I both on 14-day Biaxin XL for bad flus. We both have an absolutely completely disgusting tastes in our mouths. Have tried everything drinkable & edible for relief to no avail! My wife with some diarrhea, myself some sleeplessness. The worst is this taste! We are both hoping that we can last another 6 days until we finish. Will never take this med again if we can take an alternative!

I've been on Biaxin for bronchitis for four days now, following a trip to the ER for breathing problems. I thought it was allergies. The first two days weren't too bad except for the extreme thirst and not being able to sleep (and the gas). If I happened to go to sleep I would have weird dreams and wake up again. I don't know if was the Biaxin or the hydrocodone cough syrup. With the third day, I couldn't think straight and I couldn't remember words. Could be lack of sleep, I guess. Conversations were difficult. I felt spacey. At the same time, I felt like I was on fast-forward: hurry up, hurry up, gotta go, gotta go, gotta get it done, faster, faster! This is the fourth day. I'm still on fast-forward and still dizzy and spacey. My blood pressure is up and my heart rate is down. My pulse is 55. It's time for another dose, but I'm not taking it. In fact, I'm going off all my meds except the blood pressure pills in case it's a drug interaction that's not mentioned. I'll call my own doctor in the morning and talk to him. I trust him more than the anonymous ER doc.

Currently on Biaxin XL on a 10-day medication for a Pneumonia infection. Experiencing: increased heart rate, sweating all day long with no fever “Chills” and a bad taste in my mouth.
A possible side effect that concerns me is I have been sweating “night and day sweats” all day long with no fever, since I started BIAXIN XL, I asked my Dr. and I was told sweating helps the body to get rid of bacteria but today is my 8 day of sweating, Strange !!!!
I have never had a problem with side effects in the past on any medication!!!
Anyone else experiencing sweating? Your comments will be appreciated!!!! Thanks,

Being a registered nurse, I know that all medications have potential for side effects. And with this type of forum, it is important to know that people who do not have side effects often don't write in BLOGS so there is a very biased view of the totallity of effects. Having said that, I've been on Biaxin XL for 4 days. This medication has really messed with my stomach since day 1. Starting day 2 was the night sweats and vivid nightmares. Nighmares puts it lightly- it was more like night panic. Day 3 started with diarrhea. So now I'm at day 4 with all my sweat, shakes, nausea, cramps, diarrhea and I can't wait to go to bed to have more nightmares. What can happen to me next?

Not sure if it's a side effect but after being on the drug Biaxin XL - 1,000 mg / day (single dose) for 2 days my feet hurt, my right forearm is very sore, my right wrist is swolen and the left-center part of my lip is really swollen. Can't sleep. My couch is productive however.

I was prescribed Biaxin XL for URI about 5 days ago. The first couple nites of taking it I didn't notice any side effects b/c I was also taking a cough syrup. The past 3 nights though I have had insomnia. I sleep for like 3 hrs and then just lay there wishing myself to sleep for the rest of the nite. Then during the day I have no energy and terrible headaches from my lack of sleep.

I've been prescribed biaxin XL before and had no serious side effects. However, I was recently prescribed this antibiotic on 1000mg once a day for seven days. I've experienced diarrhea, vomitting, pain in the chest, sleeplessness. The worst side effect is the nasty taste in my mouth...and the constant vomitting to the point where I can barely swallow my own spit. Totally disgusted with this medication.

TOOK BIAXIN XL 500 MG FOR RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AFTER FIRST DOSE TAKEN IN THE MORNING MOUTH STARTED BURNING 12 HOURS LATER
AFTER SECOND DOSE ALSO 8 HOURS LATER I WOKE UP BREATHLESS, PANICKY AND HAVING CHEST PAIN ALSO DEPRESSION AND WANTED CRY ALL DAY LONG
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS GOT HELP AFTER FIRST DOSE BUT AFTER HAVING SIDE EFFECTS DECIDED NOT TO POISON MY SYSTEM ANY LONGER.

Given Biaxin XL by an ENT for 3 weeks and my throat and tongue have not been the same for three months! I have an enlarged lymph node on my neck which at first only caused pressure with no other symptoms. A ENT explained that a antibiotic for three weeks is protocol and if the lymph node did not become smaller I would be sebt for a CAT scan and biopsey. So I followed the doctors orders ... by the 18th day of BIAXIN my heart was racing so fast at night , it was very frightening. My heart would skip beats and race at other times following the first episode. Finally I finished the medication and haad no change in size to this lymph node. Finally had a CAT scan and biopsey... biopsey only showed that the lymph node was " reacitve" not benign and thta CAT scan confirmed it's size. Within a few days of stopping the medication my throat felt funny, swollen, dry and sore and my saliva would not go down easily it felt stuck in different places. MY tongue eventually had ulcers on it and would be swollen when I would wake in the morning. My mouth would feel pasty and the back of my throat was bright red. When I went back to the ENT she tried to tell me I was fine and these symproms are probably from av virus... and if they didnt go away... she handed me another script for Biaxin. I ofcourse got a second opinion and was told I probably had reflux desease and was sent to a stomach doctor . I had an EGD and ofcourse they threw in a colonoscopy because " you might as well have it done at once while your put out ". Afterward I was told I had gastritis but that it was mild and probably from the Biaxin . All in all this doctor had no idea why my throat and tongue felt the way they did. He told me my esophagus was fine.. so maybe I should see a rheumatologist because I could have an autoimmune disorder. At this point Im going on almost two months of this balogna and the run around. My internist decides to draw my blood for HIV, all kinds of Hepatitis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sed rate for inflammation , CBC to see if my white cells are O.K. , folate B12 , thiamine. All come back negative and show thta I am HEALTHY. I have lost 10 pounds and have lost all of my faith in doctors. A third ENT does alargoscopy and says my throat is irritated but he doesny know why... I decide to go to a larger facility that specializes in the throat. This becoming costly my family is begining to look at me as if I am nerotic. For a few weeks previous I only eat bland food and drink lotes of water.The doctor at this facility after examining my mouth and throat says my throat looks well and my tongue is swollen "glossitis" with geographic tongue... which is something modern medicine cant figure the cause of. He tells me I probably had a very bad yeast infection in my throat from all the Biaxin and Iahve managed to fight most if not all of it off. He asks that I swish ans spit NIASTAIN for two weeks. My tongue isnt swollen any longer but Is till get patches that come and go. The back of my throat still is inflamed especially if I have anything with ketchup or mayo. Something I never had a problem with. And I still wake up with the feeling that there is a film on the back of my throat or mucus on the back of my tongue near my throat. As if something is draining, and it isnt my sinuses. This is annoying and has been a horrible experience.I hope this crap goes away completely. I will nver take BAIXIN again. I think I had a horrible adverse reaction and my good bacteria was demolished from this crap. My body is trying so hard to recover and it will but its taking a long time because of this horrible medication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so glad that I looked at this site I was prescribed Biaxin XL for Bronchitis and only took it two days when I started experiencing stomache cramps, restlessness, and profuse sweating. I too had no interest in food and got really down in the dumps attitude wise. I have never had any reaction to any medication and so when I called my doctor after seeing this online he said that it was highly unlikley that it was the Biaxin causing this side effect and that he assumed my Bronchitis was just getting worse-I DO NOT THINK SO!!! I am now on a Z-Pack and am feeling much better but will now write this med down in all my medical documents that I am highly allergic to it since my own doctor didn't beleive that I could have those side effects. Thanks to everyone who posted.

I was prescribed Biaxin XL for pneumonia and wish I never took it. I am going out of my mind. I am an artist and I couldn't paint nor choose colour. I was having a hard time walking, felt disoriented, panic, yelling out while sleeping. I am also suffering from intense pain in my neck radiating down my arm and up into my ear. I had a terrible reaction to sulpha one time and I should have learned my lesson then. I will immediately turn to natural rememdies from here on in.

The most frightening side effects I have ever had from a med. Biaxin XL for severe sinus infection. Stomach very sick,headache,muscle aches, increase in blood pressure. The scariest of all, profuse sweating started on 4th day. I cant seem to do anything without sweating.I also take beta blocker for arrythmia.
So at first I thought it was heart related. Pharmacist
tells me Biaxin Xl is very very potent and has more side effects than we know.It can raise bp and cause severe sweating and hundreds of other things. I am stopping today with or without Dr.'s approval. Supposed to take another 5 days. Insane

Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, bad taste in mouth, fatigue and dizzy. All of that after taking Biaxin XL for one day..... Hope it gets rid of my Bronchitis.

I took my first dose of Biaxin XL (1000mg) about 7 hours ago, for a ear/sinus infection. Approximately 4 hours ago, I felt severe stomach cramping, gas, jittery/shaking hands and havent been able to fall asleep. I made a huge dinner and that seemed to help a little, but I'm nervous about taking the next dose tomorrow. If it wasnt a Saturday, I would be calling my dr first thing in the morning to try something else. Antibiotics are supposed to help infections, not create a greater state of discomfort.

I am a 21/f, 105lbs. I began taking Biaxin XL for what was a bacterial infection in my throat and a mild ear infection. I have been taking 1000mg daily(all at one time as prescribed) for four days(I still have three days left on my prescription). My side effects include: severe stomach pains and discomfort, nausea but can not vomit--until day 4, loss of appetite, metalic taste in my mouth that never goes away, digestive problems, dehydration symptoms, trouble sleeping, extremely moody and emotional. I am unsure if I will finish this prescription, most likely I will not. I decided to check more about this drug tonight after another miserable day. Taking this medicine is worse than my sore throat and ear...I am not sure if taking Biaxin is worth it, the side effects are too extreme and last 24 hours...

On Biaxin XL 1000mg, once daily for cellulitis skin infection from a 2nd degree burn. Not sure why my MD chose this. It is not the drug of choice for cellulitis. On day 2 of 6 days. Infection looks worse today than before Biaxin. I have a bitter, metallic taste in my mouth. Will give it another day or so, but feel pretty sure I will end up on a different antibiotic.

Following a bout of pneumonia that would not resolve after 2 courses of treatment with Augmentin, a bronchoscopy was done and large amts of pus were washed out of my lungs. I was also diagnosed with a chronic case of sinuisitis. My pulmonologist prescribed BIAXIN XL, 2 x 500mg daily, as followup to my lung problems and to treat the chronic sinuisitis. I am supposed to take Baxin for 6 weeks. Yes, I repeat 6 weeks!!! After the first week of treatment, I developed severe leg cramps. I informed my doctor and he prescribed quinine sulfate for my leg cramps. The quinine seemed to help the leg cramps at first, however, I have now been on Baxin for 3 weeks and the leg cramps are recurring, but worse. They have caused loss of sleep & I seem to be quite restless Since I haven't had leg cramps in the last 5 years, and since they began once on Baxin, I can't help but believe this side effect is due to the antiobiotic.

third day of Biaxin XL....
*** get the shakes badly***within the hour of taking it
dizzy
tired
feel like I need to exercise hard right NOW!

After two days of taking Biaxin XL, I feel much better physically; the metallic taste in my mouth is tolerable. A possible side effect that concerns me is I've since been experiencing sleeplessness, increased energy and an incredibly good mood (I like the good mood and energy) but is it facilitating a move into a manic phase? (similar to what Prednisone has been known to do) I'm otherwise a healthy person with no hx of depression or any other mental illness. Anyone else experiencing this?

Currently on Biaxin XL on a 14-day regimen for a sinus infection. Experiencing piercing headaches on the top of my head, increased heart rate, diarrhea, insomnia, tongue discoloration, and horrible metallic taste in my mouth. I can't imagine finishing out this 14-day regimen the bad taste in my mouth is enough to gag me. Call into my doctor today for something else as I have never had a problem with side effects in the past on cephalexin or z-pak.

Otherwise healthy person. Was on Biaxin XL 1000mg once a day for 10 days for sinus infection. Had 2-3 second long vibration feeling over heart every 4-5 minutes after about 3 days of drug and continued until 2 days after 10 day course completed. Had diarrhea and weird taste in mouth. Now (10 days after Biaxin course was completed) have fatigue, low WBC for no apparent reason. Not sure if related.