Azithromycin for Bacterial Infection User Reviews

• ake...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2020

Azithromycin "These bad reviews terrified me. I took this for strep throat, and within the second day, I was feeling better. I have one more day left and will be done with it. I’ve had no bad issues. The first day with the two pills made my stomach hurt a little and I got mild diarrhea, but after that, I had no more issues. Make sure to eat a full meal when taking it. And stop overthinking! Anxiety causes stomach pain and bathroom issues as well. If you’re freaking out due to the reviews, I would not be shocked if you end up in the bathroom. Please don’t let the reviews deter you. Everyone’s body is different."

• Bol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2019

Azithromycin "I took it for strep throat and didn’t have any side effects. My throat got worse on the second day but then got better. (Even when it looked worse, it didn’t hurt as bad as it did before.) My doctor sold it for $1.50. He doesn’t take insurance and gives his patients the cost he pays. (Yes, those types of practices exist and are sometimes cheaper than what you pay with insurance, and they actually care about their patients.)"

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

Azithromycin "Severe anxiety and nervousness, horrible diarrhea, awful stomach ache, intense nausea, freaky nightmare, horrific headache. I only took 2 pills, they were 250 mg apiece. Don't recommend whatsoever. Now I'm feeling like death, wondering when the effects will wear off."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2020

Azithromycin "I had to share my experience after seeing all of the negative reviews. I had to take Z-Pak for an abscessed tooth before a root canal procedure. I was freaked because of all the reviews I read, which were negative. I am sensitive to meds (which is why I read reviews for Z-Pak). I had 0 side effects, no nausea, nothing. Just maybe feeling hungry, but not really. If that makes sense. Took the full dose. 2 on the first day, then 4 the next 4 days. I would take it again, if needed. I am allergic to the cillins and had more side effects from when I would be prescribed erythromycin. Everyone is different with meds, but this did not give me a horrible experience."

• lan...
• September 1, 2020

Azithromycin "I'm only on day 2, and Z-Pak has worked wonders. I have taken it with food, and with a pretty healthy system, I have had no side effects. I have a bacterial infection in my gums causing the tissue to swell over a tooth, which caused the pain to be unbearable, but after a couple of these pills, I can already see the difference. Things feel better, and the infection is clearing."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2020

Azithromycin "Unbelievable! I was sick for almost 9 days with a horrible, horrible feeling inside of my body and then up all night with dry coughs, and I was just really run down, and I even had to take a day off of work. I went into my doctor just for a regular yearly checkup, and they ran blood tests and found my white blood count to be high when I was getting checked for something else. When he called me back, he told me that he was going to put a Z-Pack in for me. I felt better 5 hours after taking a Z-Pack, I literally had no cough, and my body felt back to normal, and I can tell you that it hasn't even been 24 hours and I feel 80% better! It was seriously like the best night's rest I've had in 5 days, my cough immediately went away. I think one of the best things also is the fact that it doesn't interact with my thyroid medication. I'm so happy about this, so I'm going to call and let him know today!"

• Flu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

Azithromycin "Z-Pak is the only antibiotic I don’t have an allergic reaction to or side effects from. I agree with the reviews, it either works fast and is awesome, or it doesn’t work. If you need a second dose, your illness is probably something else. Pop a Pepcid before taking it and eat while you take it, it prevents heartburn/upset stomach. Be well out there and please stay home if you’re sick :)"

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2021

Azithromycin "My doctor called this in for me after a 10-day stomach bug. I felt it was bacterial vs. viral, and within 2 days of taking the Z-Pak, I felt 90% better, and by Day 5 was 100% with no symptoms and a full appetite."

• hhl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2020

Azithromycin "Z-Pak works well for clearing up strep throat, however, it caused *severe* appetite loss. Loose stools 1x a day. I lost 7 lbs in 3 days on this. Obviously, weight can be gained back, and the strep is gone - but ask your doctor for a script of Zofran with this! & Diflucan. Increased my anxiety a ton at night as well. Could not sleep. Pros - works. Cons - you will never want to eat, also a lot of anxiety at night from this."

• Bre...
• March 24, 2019

Azithromycin "Worst med ever... literally coming out both ends at the same time! Sitting in hot bath, only thing that helps the severe stomach pain! OMG, I prefer cramps, at least those get knocked out with pills... this medicine is awful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2015

Azithromycin "I found the generic Greenstone brand 250 mg tablet, NDC 59762-3060-1, to not be effective! In the past, I have taken the brand name Zithromax Z-Pak, and by the third dose, I knew I was recovering from my illness. Since starting the GS brand, I have experienced unusual tiredness, voice hoarseness, and an increase in a stuffy, mucus-filled nose. Completed RX as instructed, not improved any. I feel it should be pulled from the insurance companies' list of generic azithromycins!!"

• Inf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2019

Azithromycin "I had no issues with side effects from Zithromax whatsoever, although the doctor said it would likely cause stomach upsets (again, never experienced this though). Unfortunately, though, it did nothing to help the bacterial infection. It's only been about two days now... I would have thought there'd be some improvement, but it still steadily gets worse."

• Jsm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2020

"Absolutely never again! I took the 3-day Z-pack (azithromycin) for an upper respiratory infection, and on the 3rd day, it tore up my intestines. It's been 2 weeks, and I have gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and it didn't do anything for my infection! I have Crohn's disease as well, and I was in remission, but now, thanks to this medication, I'm going to have to start on my steroid medication again to get my stomach issues under control. I feel like I've been poisoned, period! I can't give this medication a rating of 0, or I would."

• N_A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2020

"I was told to take a dose of two 500 mg azithromycin pills, 1 g for a bacterial infection. Took the double dose at about 2 pm with food. I got diarrhea about 3 hours later. It was not too bad. The next morning, I felt I had slept longer than normal. By midday, I had an increasingly bad headache (I am attributing it to this med since I've never had a headache like this before or taken the antibiotic) and reduced appetite. The headache was above the ear, mainly on the left side. Took 500 mg Tylenol and decided to tough it out. On the 3rd day, the med seems to be working as it reduced swelling and pain. By midnight on the 3rd day, the headache is mostly gone. No diarrhea, and it actually helped me breathe better as it reduced phlegm."

• wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2014

Azithromycin "I am allergic to just about every antibiotic out there, but the Z-Pak is pretty good in taking care of the sinus infections I get without too many side effects. A little bit of upset stomach occurs, but it's minor. Z-Pak always takes care of the infection promptly."

• Bry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2022

Azithromycin "I had to take a Z-Pak for 5 days, starting a week and a half ago. The first two days were fine, it started to clear up my infection incredibly fast, but starting on the 3rd day, I began to get stomach pain. Now, it’s been almost a week since my last dose, and I’ve been in bed writhing in pain every day, the cramps and gas pains are out of this world. It also gave me extreme heart palpitations, and I passed out a few nights ago! I’ve taken Z-Paks in the past with no issues, not sure what’s happening this time. I’m typing this from the bathroom as I sit trying so hard to go, but nothing comes, just severe pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2023

"I tested positive for strep and was given this drug because I am allergic to penicillin. I took the first round of meds and went to bed (unfortunately had to take it later in the day because that’s when I received my prescription, plus the pharmacist recommended I start ASAP). I woke up with heart palpitations and a heart rate of 130. It took about 15 minutes for it to go down under 100. The following day, my heart rate was elevated, with my resting heart rate above 100 but mostly in the 90s. I’m not sure why, but I took the second dose. Two hours later, the same heart problems occurred. I ended up going to urgent care and getting an EKG. I do not have any preexisting heart conditions, but I do have asthma, and my medications for that lead to a slightly elevated heart rate. Now I’m sitting here with an elevated heart rate, hoping for the symptoms to go away because it feels like I need to be at urgent care again. Minor intestinal issues occurred as well. Be aware of your heart before taking!"

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2018

Azithromycin "I love the Z-Pak! I am allergic to most every antibiotic out there, and so this is my go-to. I have three infections right now: double ear, sinus, and lung. I felt terrible two days ago, and now I am awesome. I am having the poops, and when I take it on an empty stomach, it hurts, but a bit of food and I am fine as wine. I have two days left of a five-day course, and I feel awesome. I love this antibiotic. Plus for me, as soon as I am done with it, I poop normally again."

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2020

"Do NOT let all the reviews scare you off azithromycin like they did me. I knew I’d write a review of it either way, as I've never taken the medication before. I took the 4-pill at a time dosage, at around lunchtime. I had a bit of bloating before I took the medication, so I was worried about how that would affect it. I had no diarrhea, slight nausea, no vomiting, just extremely gassy. Like, insanely so. So I would just stay home and let yourself be gassy for the day. I ate a small meal and took the dosage about an hour later."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2011

"I had a fever of 103, which lasted 24 hours, then a bad cough set in that left my body achy. I, too, thought I was going to break a rib coughing - it was a deep cough. I had phlegm deep in my lungs that would not come out. Felt a little lightheaded. As soon as I took the first dose, my head started to feel clearer. I expect I will get better on this medicine and avoid getting walking pneumonia. I'm so grateful - this medicine has helped 'whatever is going around town' - cough/flu/pneumonia type symptoms."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

"My doctor prescribed me this for an ear infection. 500 mg for 4 days. I made it through all four days fine, but then on day 5, I had a couple of really bad dizzy spells and felt like I was going to faint. I went to the ER, and everything checked out fine: blood work, EKG, chest X-ray, etc. Well, I'm now on day 7 and feel horrible. Super anxious, nauseated, indigestion, and just feel horrible. I'm hoping it stops soon."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

"Took all 4 pills for vaginal discharge, no STDs. I had just eaten dinner, so I took the pills. Slight nausea for an hour or 2, so I took some anti-nausea medication. By bedtime, super nauseous and had stomach pains. I took 2 more anti-nausea pills throughout the night as I couldn't sleep for waking up every 5 minutes feeling like I needed to vomit. Then at around 4 am, all the pills kicked in and the nausea went away. Now 5 days later, I got diarrhea all day. However, it did clear up the vaginal discharge, though."

• Ker...
• November 17, 2020

"I have used Z-Pak for bronchitis to prevent pneumonia. It is very effective, and I also used a probiotic an hour after my dose of Z-Pak. Probiotics work well for me, and with bacterial bronchitis, it helps restore gut flora. I stay on probiotics and have not had recurring bronchitis. I only report this to you as my own experience. Always check in with your MD when you use any OTC products, such as probiotics. I hope this is informative for you."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

Azithromycin "Doctor prescribed amoxicillin for my sinusitis (10-day supply). By day 4, my phlegm was green, and I felt worse than day 1. Told doctor to prescribe Z-Pak. I took the double dose on the first day, and within six hours, felt 80% better. By day two, no more green phlegm and feeling almost 100% better."

• Ezi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

"I rarely take antibiotics. I got a serious strep throat, and I knew I just had to go to a doctor. I started to feel markedly better within 2 hours of taking the first pill. Within the first 8 hours, I think I was totally cured. Continued to take the whole course as prescribed, though."