Zithromax Z-Pak and medication

I was given 6 tablets to cure a sore throat. After the first 2 tablets, I suffered severe abdominal pain and was told to take Imodium to relieve the pain. When the pain went off, I continued taking the third and fourth pill but stopped taking it when I felt unwell. Then the chills and the crying started. I couldn't sleep and thought I was going crazy. I didn't make the connection until I read this website. It has been almost a month since I stopped taking the medication and like most of those who had suffered similar symptoms, I have never had any emotional or mental problems and this is scary. Someone should tell the drug company to post a serious warning on this awful side effect which can really destroy lives. Can someone who have found a solution tell me how long will this last and if there is any way to expedite relief of symptoms because I cannot even concentrate on work, sleep and carry on effectively with daily activities. Thank you.

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.

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

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....

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.

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.

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 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.

First time taking medication, and not too bad. But I would suggest taking it with food, it doesn't make your stomach hurt as much. Just finish all medication, as prescribed, you will feel better...

I'm taking Zpak for my illness. I took the first double dosage yesterday during school and it really messed with me. At one point, I felt like I was going to throw up, though most of the time I didn't feel like my normal self. I laughed at things that weren't funny and just had laughing attacks. I believe I saw things that didn't exist as well. I took another pill today and it left me feeling like someone was stabbing my stomach. However, right now I feel fine, just a little tired and hungry.

Is it possible that I'm having an allergic reaction or the Zpak is reating with other medication I'm taking, like Prozac? It makes me feel very off, but it's hard to describe.

I am 61 years old and weigh 79 Kgs. i am 175 cms tall. I was given Azotik - 500 one a day for three days. It contains Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg. On the 2nd day of my taking this I noticed drops of blood soon after masturbation which i first thought to be due to a colour in the oil that I used as lubricant. On the 3rd day of medication I could see more of blood which again i thought to be due to the oil. But I also suspected that it may be blood from urine. So i watched urine for three days and found no color. So as a cross check on the 6th day I masturbated again and to my dismay I saw blood was spurting out along with semen. I am deeply worried. please advice me on this.

After my third dose of the medication I've noticed a change in my sense of smell. Bread and other yeast containing foods seem to smell very strongly like bleach or some other cleaning substance. Has anyone heard of this?

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!!

After two days on Z-pak i have been unable to focus at work and seem to be sleepy all the time. I have some dizziness.
I have no idea if this is from this medication, but I had only a cold and a severe cough and am now worse.

Extreme nausea whether eating or fasting on this medication. Plan to discontinue it now on day three. It seems to be making me feel worse than the original ailment which was the flu with sore throat and fever.