Zithromax Z-Pak and diarrhea

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

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.

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.

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've been sick for 22 days. I was told I have tonsillitis and was given Amoxicillin but did not get better. I had a cough that did not go away. I went back in and was told I had bronchitis even though I had no fever. I was given the 6 pill Z-Pak treatment - 2 pills the first day, and then 1 pill each of the next 4 days. They had me stop the Amoxicillin. Both all day yesterday and all day today I've had diarrhea. Watery and frequent. Not fun. I also have no appetite, not sure if that is from the bronchitis or the drugs. Half a serving of soup all day and I had to stop eating. I recommend the soft wipes with aloe in them, as I am very sore back there. However, I must say, if my bronchitis is gone in 2 or 3 days, then the diarrhea was worth it. I can't stand being sick any longer, and can't stand the congestion that is in my chest!!! I've only taken the Z-Pak once before, a while ago, I forget if there were side effects, but I seem to remember it worked.

While I have taken it before, I don't recall having anything but very mild side effects (maybe a little discomfort in my belly). This time, however, it is different and I am owing it to the beauty of aging. I just took the second of the three pills (and yes, I've had the three pill one before). My bronchitis is clearing but this afternoon I had really bad abdominal pain and I have a continuous headache in the back of my head, where my spinal cord ends. It is not as bad (so far) as the one I had with Biaxin (I refuse to take that). The only bright side is that it made it a really good time to join Weight Watchers because I do not have much appetite. I was able to sleep last night, at least, because my cough decreased. The verdict is still out on whether I would do this again. Problem is, I am allergic to Penicillin.

Ok, I took this because I needed to feel better fast for a weekend with all my guy friends. I am a single girl and I was actually HOPING to come out of this weekend with a boyfriend outta one of 'em...so I wanted to be over my yucky cold/flu symptoms so I could have a good time! Ok...I was NOT feeling well after the third day, my stomach was killlllling me, and I wasn't over my cold stuff either. So by the weekend I was finally feeling a little better but I had started having diarrhea and (even worse!) TERRIBLE GAS. I should have just stayed home, but I went on this roadtrip anyway. I was thinking I would be able to hold it until we stopped, but I started having terrible gas buildup and I just had to release it or I thought I would get sick. Ok, let me just say that we had to pull the jeep over so one of my friends, the really cute one that I liked, could throw up. It was terrible....and even worse they all knew it was me. In my opinion, the slight relief I got from my cold was not worth the tradeoff in side effect. So thanks to my Z pak experience, I was called "Hell Raiser" and other nicknames the rest of the weekend. I will not be using this product again.

Years ago when I wasn't feeling well I took zpak. Back then, I had no idea how to take it so I just took it in the morning before I ate. Each time, I had this nauseated feeling, but I just ignored it because I thought it was just my sickness. By day 3 or 4, I vomitted for about 2 hours and then for the rest of the day had diarrhea. I just thought it was the zpak. Then, another time, I took another med when I was sick...took it in the morning before I ate, and the same thing happened. I finally concluded that it was because I had taken it without food.

So...after that, I always take those type of meds after I've eaten something. Since then (which was about 7-8 years ago), I have not had any sort of nausea from zpak or the other.

Conclusion: never take without eating first! Hope this helps!

I've taken Zpak twice in my life. Once for bronchitis, it was helping right away.(within a few days). Second time for a sore throat and ear pain I was having for 2 weeks. By the 3rd day I was felling good again. I have nothing bad to say about the drug. I think it is the BOMB!!! Though I never had any side effects to the drug,
I would take a little diarrhea and nausea over bronchitis ANY DAY!!!

The key, or one of the keys to taking Z-Pak is to always eat something with it, then drink a large amount of water (a full glass). This morning I took it, with only a little bit of water, and now I'm experiencing the side effects. I used it two months ago without any problems I have a bit of diarrhea and bloody stool. Like I said, I didn't eat anything before I took it, which was stupid, it is recommended on the package that you eat something.

I have taken many zpaks before because of repetitive sinus infections or strep throat. Had my tonsils removed 3 years ago and got bronchitis recently and was on a 3 day 500 mg per day dose of it and felt fine the first 2 days and just got hit with MAJOR diarrhea....felt like I lost 10lbs in bathroom for 15 mins. YUCK! Hopefully its flushing the sickness from me.

I've taken Zpak several times (4+) and each time, it worked like a charm to cure ear, nose & throat infections. I think it worked better for me overall because of the short-dosage cycle which made it easier for me to take the full course prescribed (2 first day, 1 every day thereafter for 4 days). Side effects: diarrhea, cramping, headache, feeling "high" or medicine head--taken with or without food. Hard to say if these effects are attributed to meds or to the infection itself. Boyfriend taking Z-pak right now--he reports severe body ache, skin sensitivity (to touch), and feeling like crap. Again--hard to say if from med or virus/bacteria.

After the first day of taking Zpak I had severe abdominal pains and bad diarrhea

I am taking Zpak for strep throat. I was treated with it because I am 23 and have had strep throat/ear infections very frequently lately and the other antibiotics do zip for me. I also work in child care, and wish to get my tonsils out ASAP! The first day I had eaten nothing all day, except for drinking water. (Because my doctors office sent me to the ER, they thought I had menengitis. I DID NOT!) The medication said may take with or without food... DO TAKE WITH FOOD. Even the CVS pharmacist said so after my boyfriend called and said that I had thrown up from it. Eat with it. It has made me 1) Throw up, 2) Feel Nautious, 3) Have Diarrhea, 4) Not Feel Better Yet. It's day 4 and I better feel better soon!!! Also, I was told these are not allergic reactions. If you don't need this medication, ask for SOMETHING ELSE!!

Z-pac taken for an infection in my lungs, sinuses,and ears.
Day one- After one hour of taking z-pak I had severe diarrhea.
Day two- After two hours my head started spinning and I had severe nausea. Couldn't eat anything. Felt like morning sickness. Laid down and was unable to get back up until next morning.
Day three- nauseaus all day even though have not taken pill yet.

Husband put in hospital on day 4 of taking this drug for SEVERE vomiting and diarrhea, lost 13 lbs in 3 days!, will be in hospital for AT LEAST 4 days! Have found out a young women (late 20's - early 30's) was put in hospital for SEVERE abdominal pain on day 3 of this drug treatment. BEWARE THIS DRUG!