Biaxin and clarithromycin

I was diagnosed with a bronchial infection 1 week ago today. I was prescribed Clarithromycin (500 MG tablets) and Advair. About 3 days into treatment, I started having a bad taste in my mouth. In the last 4 days, the taste seems to be getting worse. I've also been feeling jittery, my heart feels like it's racing and I keep a dull headache. On the 3rd day of taking this combo, I ran a fever between 101.3 and 102.3. I thought I had the flu, but the fever broke with some Tylenol and never came back. I was told I did not have the flu, although my husband and son both got it 2 and 3 days later. After a week of taking medications for an infection, I would think I'd be feeling better, but I'm not. I have 2 more days left of the Clarithromycin, but I'm not sure I want to continue. I think I'll probably cut out the Advair first and see what effect that has on me.

I was told at the doctor's office that I had bronchitis and I was given Biaxin 500mg x 2 a day (generic form is Clarithromycin), I took it the first day wasn't sure if the side effect was from the bronchitis or from the medication. By the 2nd day, I took the first pill, after that it was downhill from there. I suffered anxiety, metallic taste in mouth, severe nausea, dizziness and vertigo. I feel completely horrible. I stopped taking the medication yesterday and I still have vertigo and nausea feels awful. The side of effects are worse than the sickness itself! Never again will i take this horrible pill!

This reaction is to the entire "PrevPak", vs. just the antibiotic Biaxin. The PrevPak, used to treat H. Pylori, also contains another antibiotic, Clarithromycin; along with 2 capsules of Prevacid in prescription strength, "these are proton inhibitors" which reduce stomach acid by preventing certain actions to take place in the stomach. The side-effects of the proton-inhibitor include the potential to block the absorption of Vitamin B, calcium and an enzyme needed to process and use iron in your body. Therefore, the following symptoms or behaviors may occur, once you begin the Prevpak. a) anemia/tiredness (take some slow-release iron) b) confusion and anxiety..(B12 deficiency); c) craving for milk and dairy (calcium deficiency).

Long-term, bone breakage, and other issues arise if you continue long-term use of a proton-inibitor.

I am posting this here as many of the reactions people are associating to Biaxin seem more attributable to the Proton-inhibitor that usually accompanie's Biaxin's use for gastrointestinal issues.

Biaxin's reaction, in my case, I would say was isolated to sleeplessness feelings, strange nightmare-like wakings, disorientation, a metallic taste in my mouth, and dehydration.

All of these are considered traditional symptoms of Biaxin.

I also had itching on day 12-14 for the PrevPak dose. This is probably attributable to the proton-inhibitor possibly affecting my histamines. However, it could also be an allergic reaction to either Biaxin or clarithromycin.

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.

Been taking the generic Clarithromycin for a little over 4 months now. I have Lyme Disease and this drug along with Plaquenil, really helps. With Lyme you feel worse before you can feel any inkling of feeling better Sure it's got some side effects like metallic taste and a few others. I will tell you for me the Lyme symptoms far outweigh the side effects, so I really don't mind the side effects at all. It's all relative. The metallic taste is one of the worst ones.

Of course you have to keep your gut in line with any antibiotic. Probiotics, yogurt, kefir, kombucha all help to do that.

Hi All

Don't know what to do.. Been daignosed with Pneumonia, completed 7 days of Amoxicillan 500mg and now on day 4 of Clarithromycin 500mg, and 7 day course of Prednisolone 40mg per day.
Like everyone else, the most horrific taste in my mouth tried everything to rid of it. It is Sat night and I am NOT going to take my next dose of Clarithromycin as it is upsetting me so much. I will have to wait until Monday am to speak to my doctor and hopefully he can give me something else. I am still struggling with pneumonia however I will take the risk. The bad taste, and upset tum must be the worst side effects ever what do you all think? The companies surely mus be able to something about this and put us patients out of our misery!!

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.

I am on my 7th day of 500mg/once a day clarithromycin, prescribed to me for a sinus infection. On the third day, I read all of the below comments and had a mild panic attack fueled by paranoia. Once I came back to reality, and in touch with my body, I realized which, in fact, of the common side effects I have been experiencing. The most notable is sleeplessnes. I have been having very intense dreams which have been waking me up every 30 to 45 minutes; upon waking my mind is charged and rearing to go. This side effect was attended to by a prescription of Ambien, made to me for this specific incidence. The Ambien has helped, I am now getting a solid 5 hours of sleep, still intense dreams, but sleep. For someone who typically requires 8 -10 hours a night, I find this 5 hour deal amusing. I don't feel particularly tired as a result, although I admit it has only been a week - it could catch up with me. This brings me to the other most obvious side effect, which I can only describe as mania - ready to go go go, constantly up, alert, ambitious (for what, I am not sure). Again, for a groggy girl like me these are actually welcome side effects! Other than that, I am experiencing a small amount of gas, and a slight spacieness (lack of sleep? or just an effect?). For these I have found lots of yougurt, fresh foods, and fluids, all in small servings and at regular intervals, ie: every 1 1/2 - 2 hours, to be allievating. My infection seems to have cleared up, I have a small amount of clear drainage in the morning, no more facial tenderness, headaches, and obviously my sense of fatigue is gone. All in all, I must say I would take this antibiotic again, which is not how I usually feel after most antibiotics I have, as an adult, taken.