Zithromax Z-Pak side effects

I took my second dose last night (I'm on the 5 day course again). No side effects except a little stomach cramping which only lasts for a little bit. I love the ZPACK! It works fast too!

I was just prescribed a 5-day course of Zithromax Z-Pak for Strep throat. Within hours, my throat started feeling better. Within 24 hours I was back on my feet;however, I was left with a terrible side effect --- silivia the consistency of foam --- yuck!!!!! The only relief I get from this is when I sleep. Hope it disappears after I finish the course - in 3 days. The last time I experienced this foam like saliva was during my 4 pregnancies. I know for a fact I'm not pregnant again. Has anyone experienced this problem after taking Z-Pak? If so, how did you get relief? Did it disappear after you finished the course?

I am currently taking the z-pak, on my third day. Today I woke up with white "pockets" under my tongue. Thinking about not taking any more. They are very painful. Hurts to eat or drink. I've taken this before but never with this kind of reaction.

took zpak for sinus pain ,after second dose woke up with pains in my elbows, let me know if you had the same experience ******

Took 4 doses out of five and I suddenly developed a rash on my stomach which lasted for a few days after I quit. Two and a half weeks later, the rash just came back randomly, redder, affecting more areas of my body like parts of my arms and neck. Hopefully my body's just flushing out what's left of this toxin.

I was given z-pak as a precaution due to repeated exposure to pertussis while working as an ER Tech at a local hospital (2005). I experienced chest pain and rapid heart rate. My blood pressure when I get to the ER was 240/186. I have always been healthy and fit.
All the cardiac tests were performed and were normal except for the chest xray. It showed a 30% pneumothorax. I was so shocked.
Since then I have not been able to keep the BP under control. Even more so I have extreme difficulty urinating. I am not male, but if I had a prostate it would be the answer. I have edema and constant trouble emptying my bladder. No one seems to care. I've been to many Dr.'s and no one will listen. They just put me on more BP meds with little response. 44yr female.

I took Z-Pack and have had anxiety, a racing heart, confusion, but I am now hung like a horse. Fair trade.

Ok.. I know I just posted 2 days ago but tonight will be the last pill I take (day 5). It was prescribed to me by an ER doctor for bronchitis. Well.. I still have pretty good congestion.. not near as bad when I went to the doctor so I am getting better. So far so good and no side effects. I'm starting to freak out a little because of all these reviews! I'm crossing my fingers none will come my way. All meds effect people differently.. besides being outside for only 10 minutes and getting a sunburn on my face.. (this stuff makes you sensitive to sunlight) its done me well and I would recommend it!

I have taken two doses of Zithromax already for bronchitis. I took 2 in the ER and one last night. I woke up this morning feeling amazingly better. So far I've had no side effects. I've had a little bit of cramping but I am going to blame that on being on my period, and its not even that bad. I was so scared hearing all of these horror stories. I already have anxiety and a racing heart at times, but this honestly has not made me nervous or anything. I'm just happy it will help my infection and it's already helping so fast!

I was prescribe the 5 day course by my doctor for a bad sinus infection, I took the first 2 pills with a meal and plenty of water on the first evening. By noon the next day I was having very, very bad diarrhea and cramps. They continued for several hours then by the evening the diarrhea was gone.
I took the second day's pill with dinner again last night. I had a much better night with little fever or sweating that had made me so miserable the previous 3 days. When I woke I felt much better until the diarrhea kicked in again. I am afraid to get more than a few feet from the toilet because of the suddenness of the cramps. I don't know if I will take another dose or not I certainly feel better but I'm not sure my rectun is up to the stress of a third bout of diarrhea!

Female-18
About two weeks about I was running a fever and had a horrible cough. After my temperature hit 103f I decided to go to the ER. The doctor told me I have a sinus infection. There they didn't really have much interest in what was wrong with me and decided that a Z-Pak would magically solve all my problems. So the first couple days my fever stopped, I felt a little better. Soon after that I had the WORST stomach pains I've ever had before. They brought me to tears, not to mention the diarrhea was pure water with little fecal matter.. I felt better with a high temperature than going through the side effects of Z-Pak. I also had dime sized amounts of brown colored phlegm that appeared when I coughed. I couldn't taste anything. For 6 straight days I was stuck to the couch or bed. Every time I stood up I got the drunken spins and felt like I was going to black out. It's been about 8 days since I started the Z-Pak and the cough has virtually went away. I still spit up a tiny amount of phelgm. I can eat, which I am ecstatic about since the only liquid things I drank while taking the anti biotic gave me severe diarrhea. The only symptom I have now is diarrhea. Only at least now I don't have to 'go' every 5 minutes or whenever I put anything in my stomach. I think the worst part of being sick was taking the dreaded ZPAK. Everyday I was thinking I could feel well enough to go out and do something only to have to race home to lay down.
CONCLUSION-ZPAK TWO THUMBS DOWN!

I am 19 male and i finished my z-pack medication two days ago and i still have a ringing in both of my ears. I can't hear anything out of both ears except if you yell into my ear. I took it because my ear drum ruptured and i had an ear infection in both ears. Now what? I guess this will last up to 10 days, but i am scared to see if this is normal or not. I didn't feel any different when i was taking the pills, just a fever every now and then and a headache once or twice (nothing worth complaining)...but i hope i get better soon because i am in college and i can't hear what my professors are saying..lol

I am a 24 year old female. I got diagnosed with walking pneumonia after having a chest X ray at my doctors office. The doctor prescribed z-pak. I went home and took the first 2 pills and about 2-3 hours after taking it I suddenly experienced uncontrolled rapid heart rate. My heart was pounding so hard i almost fainted. I work in the medical field, and knew immediately that I was in trouble. My husband drove me to the ER, where I was admitted with a heart rate of 186 beats per minute, I honestly felt like i was going to faint, or die. Once they ran several tests and ruled out anything major IE blood clot, they determined I was having an extreme allergic reaction to the z-pak. They gave me IV benadryl and steroids, which immediately started to bring my heart rate down. I do not take any medications ever, other than supplements, this is the first time in 9 years that I have had to take an antibiotic, and this was the only prescription I was taking that day.

I was prescribed z-pak for a horrible cold I had. Immediately I had stomach cramps, horrible pain that would come and go...but I kept taking the medicine. Each day the stomach cramps were worse than my cold. By day 5 I broke out in a rash on my upper chest, shoulders and upper back...they were like pimples that itch. I am assuming since the zpak stays in your system for 10 days that this stomach pain and rash will continue. PLUS the zpak has not helped my cold/cough. I will never take the z-pak again and told others to never take it.

This is my second day w/ Z-Pak. Almost immediately after taking the first dose it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I had been feeling so bad though for 2 weeks + I just figured it was probably just from being sick anyway. Well, I had extremely vivid nightmares that woke me up several times last night, followed by an odd feeling of dread or anxiety. I didn't realize these were common side effects and just chalked it up to something I could've possibly seen on tv earlier in the day. Today since I've been awake I've had a terrible headache, and my stomach (while I haven't used the bathroom at all) still feels like I've been punched, only the pain is more severe. I didn't think any medicine could have side effects that worked this fast, which is what let me to even looking up this medication online. I never experience side effects from medicines and have never had an allergic reaction to almost anything I've taken. This is extremely weird for me. I'm having a terrible time trying to make it through the day, and the anxiety/fear/dread just seems to get worse by the hour. So far it hasn't really taken away my symptoms for bronchitis, but i'm hoping after a couple more days i'll feel better....

started Zpak last week for a lingering sinus infection. I live in an area where the weather changes constantly. Two days after I finished the 5day Zpak I began experiencing horrible and flu-like symptoms and worse. I can hardly breathe out of my nose. Heavy chest congestion. Lots of diarrhea and even blood in the stool one day. Taste buds are gone. Here I am a week after finishing the Zpak feeling HORRIBLE. I'm afraid to go back to the doctor (uninsured) only to be prescribed something else that might bring on more side effects. Right now I'm taking Sudafed PE and hoping that kicks it. I've been on a Zpak before but NEVER had side effects like this. I don't wish this on anyone. and I'm wondering how long the Zpak stays in your system? It is possible to make you sicker? Seems so in my case and many others here.

Started Z pack on a Thursday evening for sinus infection. Some minor stomach pains, but no diarrhea that first day. Friday I was tired and spacy feeling, but doing okay. Saturday evening my heart began racing....ended up in the ER with a bp of 159/115 and heart rate of 185. I was really freaking out and scared. With in an hr it had returned to normal and I was given a EKG. Then sent home. Sunday I felt dizzy and tired all day.... just really out of it. Monday I had about 15 panic attacks and felt tired and VERY dizzy all day. Monday night was my last dose and Tuesday I was very dizzy, tired and lazy feeling. Some pains in my stomach, etc. I will never take this again. I have GAD {general anxiety disorder} and my doctor knew this. This has really pushed my panic attacks to a limit I cannot deal with. I have had some gas, headache, itching, slight rash, ringing in my ears etc too. Not fun at all, and I wake up non stop at night.... Hope this goes away soon!

I got sick on 1/21 I went to the doctor, I was starting to see yellow phlegm every morning for the past 3 days. The next day I was really messed up. My chest started to hurt and I was all congested, accompanied by lots of phlegm and loss of appetite. I called the doctor and she ordered amoxicillin because it works better for me. She wanted to order zpack, but I was reluctant because in the past I have gotten yeast infections from taking it. I felt worst with the asthma, chest congestion that I just wanted immediate relief. By the 3rd day, my throat irritation began, so I went to the emergency room. They order zpack and prednisone and as a precaution gave me a pill for a yeast infection. I started both meds and by the 4th day, the chest congestion was clearing and it was the first day I started feeling a bit better. I went back to the doctor, but I went back and still needed a treatment in the office. I was making a turn for the best. I finished the zpack on Friday and by Saturday, I was noticing a tinge of pain in my left side on Saturday. By Sunday, this pain was constant and stabbing accompanied by a yeast infection. The pill did not clear it up completely yet. Monday, the pain on my left side was unbearable, so I took a Tylenol which had no effect. So I went to the Emergency Room again and now they did an exam, touched my side and ran a ct scan, chest xray and blood test.

Get this, the results showed that I have gallstones on the right which were not causing my pain, a UTI and possibly passed a kidney stone. They gave me morphine and a nausea pill. Ultimately, they said they do not know what was causing my pain, so they gave me levaquin for the UTI and hydrocodine for the pain. I know the UTI came from not drinking enough fluids, but I would like to know where this pain is coming from. For Tuesday and Wednesday after leaving the ER, I could not use the bathroom with a bowel movement. I took a laxative today and used it fine this afternoon, Now my right ear feels like I have to swallow to open it. but the pain is still there and without the hydrocodine, it is unbearable. I have never had gallstone, kidney stones or pain like this. I called the doctor today and will see the doctor on Friday. This pain is unbearable, but the chest congestion, throat irritation are all gone. Why are the side effects so severe for a medication that seems to heal immediately.

I was prescribed Z-Pak on Dec 31 2008 and it did help my bronchitis and pneumonia, however the side effects are horrible.....I still have a nagging cough but my breathing is better. I had to take gravol for three nights with this med as I was so nauseated and dizzy. Worse, I have agitated sleep and needing 10 to 12 hours of sleep because of awful sleep I am getting. I stared with diarrhea and hemorrhoids, and vaginal yeast infection. Losing urine with coughing which is due to my age and past pregnancies (53 years old), sore breasts and very sore nipples. Heavy period started 3 days ago.....which has shaken me...... as I went through menopause 11 years ago, yes 11 years ago! I had ringing in my right ear (never before) for 24 hours this week and have altered and less hearing in ear now). This is my 53rd birthday and I will call doctor Monday and see her asap. I am freaked out! Is this all from that med or do I have uterine cancer???

1 year ago my wife had a severe sinus infection. Her doctor gave her Z-Pak . She took the 5 day doses 1 day later she had a SEIZURE. My wife has no history of seizures. Now im looking for ancers
Can Z-PAK cause seizures ??

I am thirteen and a female. I had throat inflammation, swelling of my sinuses, and an ear infection. The doctor gave me a cortozone shot and recommended a z-pack. About 2 hours after i took the first dose i got severe stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness and loss of hearing. I keep having to run to the bathroom because i feel like im going to puke. I keep sweating too and i feel hot and sticky. I hope the side effects wear off soon but after reading these comments i don't think i'll be that lucky. I don't plan on taking this again. The side effects are worse than actually being sick.

Like the rest of everyone else, the flu season hits and you want to get rid of your cold!!! Right. Right. Go to the doctors and they give you a drug.
Yes, I had taken the zpack for the 5 days and like everyone else, I have had all of the same feelings; depression, diarrhea, stomach ache, rash/itching, fullness in your ear or ringing, loss of taste-smell. Oh yeah, what a joy.
I called the Pharmacy to ask about how long I should experience this, it should go away in 10 days. Well, not as of yet...the loss of hearing and loss of taste. Not sure what would be the next step? Go to the doctor's and get more drugs, ie;more side effects.!? Anyone have the same side effects with your ears?

I think I had an upper respiratory infection. This is my 3rd day taking the zpak and I have been experiencing headaches and am sick to my stomach. The first 2 days I had extreme stomach cramps but they have subsided. My infection is completely gone though. I feel much better even though the side effects suck.

Affected my gallbladder and liver and elevated my enzymes. Now they re considering taking my gallbladder out. Is this normal?!

17/male

okay so today is Wednesday, ive been having really bad headaches for the past two weeks, i don't know why, but on Monday, my eyes started hurting whenever i looked anywhere else but straight ahead, really intense dizziness...Tuesday, the dizziness subsided, id been on dayquil/nyquil since Monday morning and stopped it Tuesday night

Wednesday - i stayed out of school all day, doctors diagnosed a sinus infection, and gave me the Zpak...

so since Monday, i hadn't crapped....i don't know if it was just what i had been eating, the illness, or what, but right when i took the Zpak's double dose, ive been dealing with stomach cramps and diarrhea. i got some kind of rash on my abdomen as well, im worried to find out what other side effects come on from this drug...

EXTREME PSYCHOTIC SIDE EFFECTS

I want to preface this by stating that I have never had any mental problems aside from occasional depression, and I have never taken any anti-depressants, or similar drugs, or even ever done any illegal drugs, nor do I drink.

I never would have thought in a million years that an antibiotic would have given me such extreme mental side effects. I was given Z-Pak after a tooth extraction as I had a bad (and similar) reaction to Clindamycin.

I was on the 250 MG X 3 days. After the first day I started to suffer from depersonalization. Depersonalization, in my opinion, is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. Essentially I felt like I was dead, in limbo. Nothing mattered. I questioned reality. I felt like a ghost. It was so bad that I had to break out the Bible.

I had to take Valium in order to sleep, as I would wake up in the middle of the night and have an utterly terrifying feeling of dread. I would wake up and "realize" that I did not exist and have a panic attack.

It has been since December 2nd and only now am I feeling anything close to normal mentally.

Ever since day 5 after taking the drug, I have a burning sensation in my upper abdomen on both sides and a pain in my right side. I just pray to God that this damned drug has not burned out my liver.

Worse yet, I had to be put on Doxycycline, as the Z-Pak did not work, and my extraction site became reinfected.

Thank God the Doxycycline is apparently working with no side effects.

The only positive thing about my horrific experience with Z-Pak is that I went to confession and communion and have accepted Jesus as my savior again in my life.

I also have realized that hell does not need the fire and brimstone. The depersonalization I suffered was the same as separation from God. It was the worse experience ever, and I have been through some tough stuff.

I realize that each drug affects everyone differently, but I have read too many posts listing mental side effects to think that my experience was an anomaly.

If you must take this antibiotic, be sure you understand that it can knock you on your ass if you are not expecting it.

I'm on my third day and came to this site to see if anyone else had experienced headaches. Pain relievers are not helping. Constant throbbing headaches.

I took z-pak this week, and I've had some stomach cramps. The first night I took it it was the worst, but they've gradually gotten better.
But does anyone know if it can cause vivid dreaming? Every night I've taken it I've had some extreme dreams (one included both Obama and my HS sweetheart, if that helps to explain how intense they were). Has anyone else had this problem? I tried to find out if this was a common side effect, but couldn't find anything.

I get some stomach cramping from the Z-Pak, but the most disturbing side effect would be the chest pain. I have swollen glands right now and I had vertigo and the doctor told me it was probably a bacterial infection because the gland under my chin is the one that is swollen. Every time I take this medication the side effects are different. I also had the agitation the last time I took Z-Pak. Sometimes I have had the lose bowels, especially after taking the two pills together the first day. Well, I guess it is better than having an infection so I will continue to take it. There are other medications that are worse for me. At least I am not getting a rash and I cannot take penicillin.

This was the only thing that stopped pneumonia for me when I was six and now I'm on it again for bronchitis or something. I've had severe stomach cramping. My heart has been racing since I started taking it. I'm on my fourth of five days. I'm wondering if my heart is unrelated, meaning I should go see what I can do about that, or if it makes other people all jittery/anxious with a really high pulse.

Taking Z-pak for the second time this week. Each day has gotten worse. I take them at night, figuring that the worst of the effects would be during my sleep. Well, that's not so. Starting about 9am each day, I get horrible dry mouth, chills, and pain in my chest that rivals any pain I've ever felt. I have trouble eating and I feel super weak - including some tingling/pins and needles in my hands and feet. It usually goes away by about 6pm and I start feeling better. I do take my Claritin at about 8am every day. Could there be an interaction? It seems odd that I feel OK on waking up, but feel terrible for hours after taking the Claritin while on the Z-pak. Has anyone ever experienced this? Any advice on how to handle it? I have company in this weekend and I can't even function to entertain them!! Thanks!!

Zithromax/Z-Pack does give you the cramps and diarrhea only side effect i got, but it pushes the infection out of your body,this medicine does work.

37/f I took Zpak for bronchitis and ended up with a severe itchy rash in the form of little red spots all over my body, it has been 2 months. To relieve symptoms, I tan in salons which initially make symptoms worse, but eventually kills the rash after a while. I have no other symptoms other than the rash, but it is hell. Will never take it again.

I have taken Z-paks before without any problem. This time I took the 3 pill dose. I have horrible stomach cramping and diarrhea. I also broke out with a rash on my chest - tiny blisters that itch. I finished it today and hope this goes away soon.

this is the second time i have taken the zpack for bronchitis...first time no symptoms, this time however......i am having verrrrry dark brown/ red urine, diarrhea, headache, stomach cramping, and body sweats....i don't know if this is due to my illness or due to zpack, but i HATE these symptoms/side effects

I took z pack Monday morning and woke up Tuesday morning and found red spots all over my right ankle and lower leg anf its hard to walk when you first get up and its stiff.
They took me off it and put me on Prednizone and to put a cold wash cloth on it.And keep it elevated.

Started the z pack for bronchitis and sinus infection. First symptoms was stomach cramps, diarrhea. The next and most disturbing symptoms were extreme agitation, anxiety, depression. Have finished the last of the medicine 4 days ago and am still feeling the residual anxiety, agitation, general feeling of unease. Will never take this medicine again.

I'm a 32 year old male. This is probably the 5th time I've taken Zithromax. Unlike previous experiences, this time I got a horrible rash on my face, chest, neck, and little red spots all over my body. They itch horribly and I'm hoping they go away on their own. I am going on week two and they are still around. Last year, I was given a very strong antibiotic for an infection that just wouldn't go away. I took one dose and threw the rest out because the resulting full-body rash was horrible. I think that some of us may develop an allergy to certain families of antibiotics as we age. Either that or our immune systems are degraded. Who knows. I've also been dealing with chronic anal itch for 2 years now, and that is a horrible thing to live with. FEELING OLD!

I was given the Zpak several times for infections, approximately 5 or 6 years ago and now suffer from tendon rupture a few year back. Yes, the Achilles tendon, which pinged to a lot of other troubles in my body that I now have to live with.

I really like the Zpak. I have taken it several times from things like sinus infections to lung infections. I never experienced any side effects but this time I am experiencing severe smelly gas. I don't know why but I never have such smelly bad gas before. I stink!!!!!!!!!! sure you all wanted to know that. But maybe you all have had gas from this also

Took z-pak, in March, have lost my taste buds and cannot smell anything,this is going on three months, I don't know what to do, n smell at all, no taste buds at all.

20 min after my second dose I experienced severe vomiting. Headache, vomiting and nausea continued for 32 hours – I could not hold down more than a sip of lemon/lime soda or jello. During that time I my skin became itchy, the next I developed a rash on my neck and chest... I have been taking hydroxyzine, which relieves the itch, but a month later the rash persists…

Just finished the 6 day course of meds today and have had loss of appetite and have been feeling very drained energy-wise especially today...also have been feeling anxious and not able to concentrate too well...also some stomach upset...I've been on this drug before but this course has yielded more side effects than in the past...

Day 2 (took double dose yesterday, single dose today) -- have developed pretty constant diarrhea and stomach cramps. This week has sucked. I have suspected strep, fever, bronchitis and some kind of flu? I just spoke with my doctor who says that it can't be the drug since it's only the second day. Well, your comments here and other web research offers a different opinion. The doc is blaming in on my flu, but I didn't have any stomach distress at all until now. I'm hypothyroid, hypoglycemic and very sensitive to medication. The last thing I need is to have to deal with diarrhea. It sucks because my sore throat has improved, and so has my breathing, but I get dizzy when loosing fluids, no matter how fast I replenish. Female, age 35.

Had severe flu--suspected bronchitis and strep. Took z-pack. Immediately started to feel better. High fever, chest pain, aches gone. BUT now 1 week after I took z-pack, I have severe abdominal pain and diarrhea after every meal. Can't keep anything from immediately going out the other end. So miserable. I'm thinking the good flora was killed off in my intestines. Calling the doctor tomorrow.

Female, 30 years old. Began taking five day course of z-pak for bronchitis., abdominal pain from the beginning, better with food. Day five, abdominal pain much worse, ending with diarrhea. Did not take last dose. Day six, diarrhea persisting, frequent watery stool, dizziness, appetite loss, feeling completely drained. Day seven, began taking anti- diarrheal, seemed better. Went to Dr., advised fluids of course. Later that day, managed to eat a good meal, pushing fluids. Some intestinal pain but feeling generally better. Then: anti- diarrheal not really working anymore. Constant watery stools, feeling severely fatigued, completely drained, dizzy, ringing in ears, chills. Called hospital and spoke to nurse, advised ER visit: probable dehydration. I have been sick for 18 days including z-pak. Would never recommend this medication. The side effects are worse than the bronchitis.

I love it! I kept getting a sinus infection. I took two different Antibiotics and they obviously did not work. It came back again....but worse. Z pak finally worked after being sick for two months straight! I did have some stomach problems, but I'm just glad to be feeling better and not coughing nonstop. Every drug is going to have some side effect. But it did the job!

While taking Z pak, I developed a horrible red and itchy rash all over my body. I have had horrible gas, and 6 days of diarrhea, now my doctor has put me on Flagyl for the diarrhea. I will never take this again. It is horrible!!!

I took a zpak for bronchitis and a sinus infection. (lovely to have both at the same time...) I still had a fever three days into the five day cycle. After I finished the whole five day cycle I felt a LITTLE better, but a week later I developed fever and body aches AGAIN. I went back to the doctor and was prescribed a week of Avelox because they said sometimes the zpak does not fully kick the bronchitis, just weakens it and then it comes back. I have been sick for seventeen days now. I'm a little over it.

I was prescribed the 5-day Z-pack for bronchitis and after two days I quit taking it. I am not psychologically and emotionally perfect (who is) but this drug is causing extreme agitation, nervousness, hard intense dreams that leave me fatigued even after a full night's sleep, and depression with crying spells. I am aware that this drug stays in your bloodstream for a long time. It's half-life is 68 hours and after taking 500 mg. on Feb. 6 and then 250 mg. on Feb 7, I still have somewhat less than 200 mg. in my blood today, Feb. 13. Even at today's level I still have no relief from my symptoms and I am praying that this will all go away when the level of the drug gets to a certain point.
My bronchitis is gone and I am trying to live my life as if I have no symptoms (I teach 7th grade U.S. History) but I cannot ignore the fact that I feel like I am cracking up.
I am not trying to bash this drug. Most people are fine with it. Good for them. But some people have these types of problems because I have seen stories like mine on many internet places.
Hang in there anyone who is suffering like me. I hope it goes away and I can return to my life where I get nervous now and again and maybe once in a while I do not sleep well.
This is horrible.
Anyone who has gone through this and returned to normal please respond. I need to hear some good news.