June 3th
2009
7:52 AM
Same thing here. I have a sinus infection and pharyngitis that just wouldn't go away for 3 weeks. I was prescribed the generic version (Clarithromycin) 500Mg twice daily. The antibiotic does seem to work. I have had a bitter taste from it almost from the beginning. I took the fourth dose on an empty stomach in the morning with little fluid and 10 minutes later started to eat. 20 minutes after taking the antibiotic I had experienced an uncharacteristically severe panic attack. My heart just instantly started racing, confusion set in. The whole time while I am taking it I have difficulty breathing which eases off as dose wears out. Luckily for me I had some lorazepam laying around which I took to suppress this reaction. I skipped my 5th dose in the evening but my infection is still an issue. Now I am unsure whether to continue taking it or not. I am about to see my ENT today so I think I will not be taking it until I see him.
-- By rozenfeld57mh | Reply | Private Message me
August 23th
2008
6:52 AM
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.
-- By pxtxrdh | Reply | Private Message me
June 24th
2008
7:10 AM
Augmentin caused severe retching, vomiting, not being able to swallow the Augmentin, feeling it was stuck half way down my throat, and then after five days vomiting up the Augmentin plus food taken with it. Have finished course 3 days ago but still feeling nauseous, with a bitter taste in my mouth.
-- By izzardanne | Reply | Private Message me
December 8th
2006
7:35 PM
I got the metalic bitter taste in my mouth from Clarithromycin. I'm taking it for pneumonia.
No diarrea yet though!
Boy do I feel better after just 4 doses. But that metalic taste sucks.
September 20th
2006
4:16 PM
The most striking side-effect has been a VERY bitter taste in my mouth day and night (worst at night). It is exactly like bile (I know from morning sickness days!). I had a headache for the first 3 days on Biaxin, esp bad at night. I experienced hand tremors for the first few days as well for which I have no other explanation. I have had considerable intestinal gas and discomfort and on the 7th day of treatment acute stomach pain for a couple hours. But there has NOT been excessive diarrhea nor any obvious yeast infections. This was my greatest dread.
I am glad to say good-bye to this drug after 7 days of treatment. It did seem to take care of the low-grade fever associated with bronchitis. And my coughing is reduced though not gone yet. My throat/voice box area feel swollen at present. Not sure if this is the drug or the coughing.
Having said all that, I would cosider using Biaxin again, if only to avoid yeast infections!
June 15th
2006
12:51 AM
It's 2:47 AM and I can't sleep, have been taking this horrible drug for 4 days for a sinus infection. I have constant drainage in the back of my throat and a bitter taste in my mouth. Insomnia and when I finally sleep, nightmares and crazy dreams. The prescription just went in the trash can, I would rather have a sinus infection than to deal with this. I couldn't understand why I felt this way until I found your website. Thanks so much, never will I take this again.
-- By sickwoman | Reply | Private Message me
September 3th
2005
11:36 PM
I am being treated for H.Pylori. I am taking 2 Biaxin 500mg ea. along with 2 Prevacid, and 4 Trimox. The treatment is called triple therapy PrevPac a 14 daily treatment pak. Biaxin is DISGUSTING! The after taste is HORRIBLE! After day one, I was ready to give up on my treatment. It is worse than anything I've tasted in my life! NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING helped me take away the taste. I can't sleep at night due to the lingering, bitter taste in my mouth, and during the day, I indulge on food to wash it down. That sh*t taste is indestroyable. I am even thinking to taking all the other pills in the treatment and just skipping this crap! I am only on day 2 of this and still 12 more days to go. Biaxin is beyond nasty. I'd rather not treat my H. Pylori for that matter!
-- By margaretd | Reply | Private Message me
April 25th
2005
11:21 AM
I am a 34 year old male who has been given biaxin 500mg 2x daily for whooping cough. I do feel better with the cough, but I feel like my insides are coming out of the other end of me! And just a terrible bitter taste in my mouth, like right before you throw up. I am also on singulair which has similar symptoms of jitters and mood swings, along with dizziness etc. This is really strong stuff, I am very fatigued.
-- By adrianstock71 | Reply | Private Message me
August 4th
2009
10:35 AM
This stuff sucks I never knew a antibiotic could effect ones sleep and sanity. The bitter taste is terrible. They gave me this for the flu but i'd rather take the chance of it coming back than to keep taking this crap. NEVER AGAIN
-- By redwoodpatter | Reply | Private Message me