Biaxin and insomnia

I'm only two pills into Biaxin for streptococcal pharyngitis (Allergic to Penicillin). Prescribed 2 pills a day for 10 days. It's 5 am and im really happy I found this site. Thank You all to start. After my 7 am and 7pm dose, I have already noticed insomnia and restlessness. Physically lethargic, but mentally energized. Like some others, I find I can't stay in one position in bed long before I have to move. One person noted sharp pains in legs and arms. I'm actually not looking forward to 9 more days of this. After only one dose, I experienced a sharp pain in my skin above my ankle. Felt a lot like a small hot ember was on my skin or a insect was stinging me. I have never felt something like this except for a time or two where I actually had an ember on me. I had no clue what it was and chalked it up to "getting older". I'll post again in a few days. Going to call my family Physician tomorrow since I was prescribed this in emerge away from home.

My first day on Biaxin wasn't so good because it made me light-headed. But then I felt wonderful and slightly elated. I guess the "may cause mood swings" warning affected me in a good way because I was extra cheery and energetic. The bad side to that was that I had insomnia and felt a little more scatterbrained.

I was so glad to find this. Since insomnia is not listed as a usual side-effect, I had no idea why I could not sleep. When I saw the entries and called the pharmacist, she verified it for me. I have been on 500 mg twice a day for a week and I have another week to go. I originally had a bad cold for 2 weeks which developed into a seriuos sinus infection. Amoxicillan did not work and I cannot take sulfa antibiotics or Cipro so I think I am stuck with it for another week, but have called to ask the Doctor for something to help me sleep until then. I have been so tired and worn out probably due to lack of sleep. And I agree that taste in my mouth, especially in the morning, is awful. I am also still congested but it is better than before.

So I just finished a 10 day supply (20 pills) of this stuff. I was prescribed Biaxin twice a day for 10 days to clear up a minor sinus infection. I had no idea that this stuff caused so many issues, but now I know first hand. This medicine gave me pretty bad insomnia. I could fall asleep but would wake up at 2am/3am in the morning and couldn't fall back asleep. Of course lack of sleep, then gave me anxiety and minor depression like I've never had before. I will never take this stuff again. Not to mention, the bad taste that's in your mouth constantly. In retrospect, I'll take a sinus infection anyday over the side effects of this medicine. Maybe it's okay for some people, but I'll never put Biaxin in my body every again. I took my last dose yesterday evening and I've been drinking tons of water ever since to try and get rid of this stuff as soon as possible.

This stuff is DISGUSTING. I hate the taste in my mouth and it seems like if i cough or breath in threw my mouth the taste intensifies. I'm only on day 2!!! I was wondering if the insomnia was from the pills and now I know it is. It's 3am and i don't even feel tired. Last night I took some Nytol to help ease my headache and body aches. Woke up in a major sweat, changed clothes, went back to bed an hour later and continued to sweat. Had crazy dreams about dating Tom Cruise and Nico, the winner of So you think you can dance Canada and spent the evening looking at pics of him on facebook and joining multiple groups for him, like a crazy stalker, lol. And to think, this is only day 2!!! I'm going to lose it. Had diarrhea also today. Oh, and last night had a major meltdown and cried into the bathroom towels when I felt like my boyfriend wasn't being sympathetic to my illness (respiratory infection) even though he has a cracked rib and is in major pain himself. Crying lasted for about 20 mins. I think I'm going to take more Nytol just to try and get to sleep, meeting family members for brunch that i haven't seen for about 20 years, this is going to be interesting... good luck to the rest of you! Oh and I'm super hungry all the time, but hate most of what I eat probably because of this damn taste in my mouth.

I'm on Biaxin for a respiratory infection as well, the worst side effect by far is the severe insomnia, and crazy dreams I get when I finally DO fall asleep - and the sleep I get isn't restful at all. I also have turned into a "bed tosser" - I toss and turn all night because I can't sleep comfortably in one position all night (I usually fall asleep and wake up in the same position, and maybe turn once a night.) Its like all of a sudden I get sore being in any one position for more than an hour. Drives me nuts.

I'm on Biaxin for a MRSA staph infection. And I have had the worst anxiety. Heavy breathing and insomnia. I wake up all the time in the middle of the night and in the morning my hands shake and I have so much anxiety related energy. I do not like this medication.

My most concerning side effect with this drug is the pretty much constant stabbing and sometimes achy crampy pain all over my body, mostly in my lower abdomen but in legs, arms, and neck. I haven't seen this side-effect so far with other people. I also have insomnia, stomach cramps and bad taste in mouth.

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.

Hello,

I was prescribe Biaxin 8 or so days ago for a rather severe infection of the sinuses. Two pills a day, which I took both at once, I have stopped after the 7th day for the following reasons. Here I will discuss the worst side effect of the drug for me so far. Along with paranoi and anxiety, and an in general spaced feeling, Im having the worse insomnia of my life.

Ive always had sleep issues ever since I can remember, but on this stuff I got NO SLEEP AT ALL for two days. After that I quit the medicine altogether as the doc said it would be ok. My last dose was yesterday, its 2:28 AM now, I couldn't sleep so I got on the computer to look for reports on this drug.

Hopefully since I quit the meds this insomnia thing will lift. God I hope so. Anyway, If anyone else has had this kind of terrible insomnia from Biaxin post your experience please.

Thanks,
Me

Discoloration and dark spots on dental fillings and crowns, metallic taste, night sweats, vivid dreams, insomnia, racing pulse.

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.

This pill should honestly be banned and taken off from the market! I too took this pill for about 5/7 days and experienced major problems with first and foremost, INSOMNIA! Nervousness, slight panic attacks, and my hands were extremely shaky as a result. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS ANTIBIOTIC!

What I find interesting is, how is a person supposed to get better if he/she can't sleep at night, and that is when the body does most of "healing". If anything, the body goes into a stage of fatique and the body does not recuperate the way it was meant to. When I had pneumonia, I was on hardcore antibiotics (2 actually), and NEVER experienced such side effects as with this useless pill. Maybe it does work, but the side effects overpower the benefits.

Anxiety here too. Just want to say I took a dosage of Boaxin last June 2005 and it took 10 months to get close to back to normal. I experienced panic and fear of just about everything. The wind would blow and it was somehow a scary experience. Had trouble sleeping, heart palpitations, thoughts of going crazy. 12 months later and I would say that I still think about what I went through every day. I am 95% back to where I was before. Wondering how long it took others to get back to normal?

When did the dizziness and vomiting start for anybody here?... The only side effect I've found so far--and I just took my second dose a few minutes ago--is paranoia. And this paranoia AND anxiety seems to be about the drug itself and side effects. Normally, I don't gie these things a second thought and have never had side effects to any antibiotics before.

Just wonderig when these things set in and any early warning signs of them.

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.

I must be severely allergic to this drug because I think I had every side effect known to man. First the depression came, then disorientation, manic behavior, loss of appetite, insomnia, nightmares, vomiting, becoming a different person, paranoid, crying, confusion, basic emotional freefall. Then I started convulsing, so I rushed myself to the ER. I also broke out all over my chest, and my head was bloated and red too. Of course the ER acted like Biaxin couldn't cause this, so I didn't find out it was Biaxin until I went online and found other sites with other patient reviews. Such a horrible experience and drug. It rendered me incapable of doing my job and school. Never again.

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...

Sleeplessness. Strange dreams. Dizziness. Ears feel strange, can't quite explain it. My moods have also been strange, very easily angered. I am being treated for sinuitis. I am taking 500 mg twice per day.

Only been on for 5 days. Was just checking the web to see if I was going crazy or if all this stuff is "normal". Taking the Biaxin extended release, for pneumonia. I too have experienced:
- Sleeplessness
- Night sweats
- nightmares (I dread bedtime!)
- Horrible metalic taste (which I think is causing me to clench my teeth and giving me a headache)
- some abominal discomfort
- dizziness,
- physically larthargic, but mentally energized; can't seem to shut my brain off

I took it at night the first three times and then switched to mornings to see if I could sleep any better. It didn't help. The symptoms just last 24 hours now. When I took it at night, I didn't notice side effects so much in the day. But then I was so tired from not sleeping - it's hard to tell what's causing what.

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.

Since taking Bizxin 500mg for a respiratory infection I have experienced:
bad taste in mouth
discomfort in my digestive system
trouble sleeping.
very vivid dreams and nightmares.
I have had feelings of depression, but this only occurs right when I wake up and then subsides for the rest of the day.
I am most concerned with any side effects that change moods.