Clarithromycin for Helicobacter Pylori Infection User Reviews

• Der...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2020

"I’m on day 14/14 of this clarithromycin medication for H. pylori. The first few days were good. My only complaint was that the pill was bitter. I used a trick to make sure the drug didn’t touch my tongue: fill mouth with a bit of water, set the pill in your water-filled mouth, swallow immediately. Even with this, I noticed the bitter taste in my throat after a few days, but it was better. Week 2 I wasn't feeling as good. I had shortness of breath, racing heart, belching, dizziness, brain fog, nausea in the morning, trouble sleeping, muscle pain in my chest and back, and felt weak. I checked in with my doctor and everything was in working order. It was just the meds. My advice: DON'T take on an empty stomach. I tried once and threw it up. Float the pill in your mouth and swallow. Stay off Google. Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about your symptoms. Anxiety only makes things worse. Take it easy. Your health is important, so get the rest you need. Happy healing everyone. You’ve got this!"

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2017

"If you're reading this post then odds are you've been scouring the internet freaking out and learning about H. pylori, and coming across so many negative reviews about the medication. Look guys, you've got a bad infection that basically has two layers of protection. You have to attack this bad bug hard and heavy to bust through and kill it. I'm on day 7! And yes, the first day I was scared because of the new feelings in my body... weakness, somewhat bad taste in mouth, a little brain fog... but it is NOT THAT BAD! By day 3, I felt like I'm cured! After the first day, it gets easier and easier, just take with food, and when the side effects show up, be calm and cool, and relax, if you just relax, it's simple."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

"I'm on day 7 of my treatment plan which consists of: 1-omeprazole, 1-clarithromycin, and 2-amoxicillin 2x/day, and bismuth subsalicylate 4x/day. I deal with anxiety terribly and was fearful of this treatment plan after dealing with 4 months of a diagnosis with symptoms of GERD. A sense of relief came when I had to be tested and found that H. pylori was causing all of this. Don't get me wrong, I hate that it has come to this but I'm relieved that it is something that can be treated without having to undergo long-term treatment as I would have with GERD. I weighed my options and decided to overcome anxiety and take the meds to get rid of this thing. I have experienced the metallic taste, loss of sleep, back pains, dark stools, and brain fog. Push through!!! You can do this!!! The thing I've learned is to make sure that you have a well-balanced meal when taking your meds to avoid feeling jittery, eat small meals more times within the day, stay away from foods that will cause acid reflux, and drink lots of water."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2021

"I had been having persistent heartburn and bloating for a month until my doctor suggested an endoscopy. The result came positive for H. pylori. I’m currently taking clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole for a 10-day course. On the first day of taking it, my chest pain reduced, but I was having panic attacks every now and then. Now, on my third day, I’m feeling weak, experiencing shortness of breath, and a metallic taste in my mouth. The heartburn and abdominal pain are gone, but now I'm just feeling super weak. Can’t wait to finish this medication and be smiling again. Stay strong, loves, we can get out of this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2021

"Taking this medicine was the worst experience ever, however, I completed my 2 weeks to rid my infection. Now I’m at day 15 since I took my last pill, and I’m still dealing with side effects. I’m still having heart palpitations (only one episode a day), increased heart rate, and 3 days ago, I developed a rash on my face. I’m now able to sleep all night, and I’m no longer awakened by my heart pounding out of my chest. I wish I would’ve read these reviews prior to this treatment. I have an appointment next week to find out if it worked. Good luck to all of those who are taking this drug now!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

"Very strong medicine. Before I was diagnosed with H. pylori, my symptoms were bloating, belching, and acid reflux at night. I took this because of slight H. pylori with slight erosion on my stomach found while having an endoscopy. 500 mg clarithromycin (Klaz) tablet, 500 mg amoxicillin (Himox) capsule, and 20 mg omeprazole (Omepron) capsule. Taken before meals, 1-0-1 omeprazole, 2-0-2 clarithromycin, and 1-0-1 amoxicillin for 14 days. From the 1st day, with the 1st dose, effects not that much, just a metallic taste, stomach cramps, feeling slightly bloated when I took it. From that night, the metallic taste turned bitter. On the second day of medication, I got anxiety in the early morning, bitter taste, still bloated and belching. On the 3rd day, my stomach kept growling, bitter taste, and I developed insomnia and minor brain fog, still bloated. I'm on my 4th day now, insomnia is hitting hard, bitter taste, slight bloating, and keeps belching. All I can say is every day you will experience different symptoms. I will update soon about my condition."

• Fia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2021

"I feel so much better having read the posts both good and bad. I had a nasty bout of campylobacter, and when the stool sample was analyzed, up popped H. pylori. So, 500 mg clarithromycin 2 a day, along with 500 mg of amoxicillin and 20 mg of omeprazole. Within hours of the first tablet, I started to feel off. My heart was bouncy all over the place, it seems to settle during the day when I'm busy, so I’m distracted unless it goes completely Tom and Jerry. But night is awful, I can’t sleep for all the skipped beats, anxiety obviously making the whole thing worse, fear of death and a bitter grapefruit taste again worse at night. I’m on a 7-day course and have 5 doses left. And I cannot wait until it’s finished. I’m terrified, but thank goodness I’m not alone, and that has calmed me more than I can express. Good luck, guys, it’s just a moment in time. Stay strong and dig in. xxx PS I’ve given an average rating as I don’t know if I’m cured, but I’ve found this deeply horrid."

• Bom...
• July 29, 2019

"About 2 months ago, I got a nasty bug, so I went to the doctor, where I was tested for Helicobacter pylori. Then, they gave me the Prevpac of 500 mg amoxicillin, clarithromycin 500 mg, and omeprazole twice a day. I was told to take it all in one go before food. You must eat, then wait 30-45 minutes after for the PPI to work as it starts when your body is digesting. The first 3 days, nothing. I was great apart from a funny taste, no appetite, and slight runs. The third day, I didn’t eat much, and by 11 at night, I had a rapid pulse rate and felt unwell. Every day, different symptoms. On day 4, I had awful pain in my side and felt tired and unwell, as I was also experiencing insomnia. Today, on my sixth day, I woke up with a headache, and it’s lasted all day, plus I feel dizzy and sick. Insomnia, dizziness, nausea, dysentery, pain in my side, rapid heart rate once, elevated pulse rate, horrid taste, sweating, memory loss, some acid reflux, and generally feeling ill. I can’t wait for the last day, it is the only thing keeping me going as I do not want to quit."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2020

"You're probably on this page because you're anxious, and you want to find out if your side effects from clarithromycin are normal or if you'd have to face anything worse. I'm on day 8/10 of this medication. Day 1 through 3 was really awful, like everyone else is saying here. I have shivers, bad nausea, excessive salivation, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It stopped from day 4 to 6, and the nausea and diarrhea started again. The diarrhea is so bad that it hurts when I pass stool now, and I don't have an appetite again. I guess we just have to really watch what we eat and hope this goes away soon. Take care, be strong, and don't give up. We don't want to be put on a higher dose, now do we? Good luck, guys."

• Nat...
• November 23, 2016

"I was prescribed Amox-Clarith-Omeprazole for 7 days for my H. pylori. Before taking these antibiotics, I read these forums to learn about other people's experiences, and it SCARED ME! So much! My understanding is that this combination has 80% effectiveness on H. pylori (which I've been suffering from for 10 years undiagnosed). My experience with these drugs: awful metallic taste in the mouth... that's it! I'm on day 2, have had no stomach problems; in fact, I think I feel better. My message is: for those who are about to start these medications; PLEASE don't be scared, it's worth it to be cured. Try it; if it's really unbearable, then stop them, but try them; for me, they really aren't bad. I'm just hoping I'm part of the 80% and they've worked for me!"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2018

"I am on 1000 mg clarithromycin, 2000 mg amoxicillin, and 40 mg omeprazole a day. I only just started the treatment, and I have been feeling a bit sick and have had a bitter/metallic taste. My advice is: do not read reviews. Every time I get sick, I look online and terrify myself. I’ve been told not to, but I’m a curious person. This time, reading these reviews, I cried, and I never cry. EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES is what I’ve learned. The success rate of this plan is 85%, so no matter what you experience, it WILL be better than ending up with something much worse, like stomach cancer or a stomach ulcer."

• SBc...
• June 1, 2016

"The side effects of this medication were unbearable to the point where I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish the whole 10-day course. It left a disgusting metal taste in my mouth for hours. Strong nausea started on day 2 or so, but subsided around day 5. It can be best described as almost like morning sickness a pregnant woman would have. On day 7, it actually gave me acid reflux, which was worrying since I thought the medication wasn't working. I stuck with it and made it to the tenth day, words can't describe the happiness I felt throwing the pill bottle away. As horrible as it was, I got retested, and H. Pylori is officially gone!"

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

"I am currently dealing with gastritis and just found out I am positive for H. Pylori. I was prescribed omeprazole, two 500 mg amoxicillin, and 500 mg clarithromycin. My 1st dose was yesterday at noon. I got bad nausea that didn't go away even with medication, a metallic taste, and severe stomach cramps that did not go away. I ended up at the E.R. at 2:30 a.m. During all this, I felt a racing heart, shaking, and I was so anxious! NOTHING was helping! After the exhausting day of physical and emotional symptoms, I couldn't sleep at all! I only slept 3.5 hours, now round 2 for the medications again! I tried to just take the amoxicillin, wait to see if anything, then took the clarithromycin, and right after that, everything is coming back from the day before! I can't handle this medication. I was prescribed it for 2 weeks, 2 times a day, and I can't with these overpowering side effects! I was completely debilitated all day after the 1st doses! I feel so hopeless right now."

• cmp...
• August 6, 2009

"10-day run to get rid of H. pylori. In those 10 days, I seemed to be one who experienced negative side effects but continued on for the eventual benefit 'for me.' I experienced extreme fatigue, ringing in my ears, forgetfulness, migraine headaches, and a nasty taste/smell. I had thrush on day 7, and day 10 is here. I feel like I was hit by a truck. I have a follow-up to see if H. pylori is gone and will come back to update."

• Tri...
• July 11, 2015

Clarithromycin "I have terrible anxiety and was very afraid to take Biaxin because I'd never taken it before. I worry about crazy things like having an anaphylactic reaction to medications, throat swelling shut, not being able to breathe, hives, etc. I was on a triple antibiotic treatment of Biaxin, Flagyl, and Prilosec twice a day with Protonix taken alone every morning. I always ate yogurt twice a day with the medication as well as a meal so my stomach wouldn't hurt or be upset. I never took the medication without food as instructed, so I never had any stomach problems at all. The only side effect I had was an odd taste in my mouth, but it wasn't overwhelming or bothersome."

• Fli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2020

"I'm on 1 Clar (500 mg) - 2 Amox (500 mg) - 1 Omeprazole (40 mg) for 14 days and 2x per day. Before, I had stomach cramps, acid reflux, chest pains, and shortness of breath for 4 mos. So, my GI doctor examined me with a UB Test (urea), and it was confirmed I had an H. Pylori infection. The first 3 days of the treatment were horrible, having a bitter taste, bloating, belching, and some slight diarrhea, tinnitus in my ears, sore throat, loss of appetite, and the chest pain and shortness of breath are still there. The 4th to 11th day side effects are now different as I am having nausea, headaches, bitter taste, palpitations, increased heart rate, stomach cramps, insomnia, and hallucinations. Still, the chest pain and shortness of breath are still there. I'm on my 12th day taking the meds, and side effects are not the same as before, but still some sore throat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Hopefully, the infection (H. pylori) would go away, worried about my kidneys. Hoping for a positive outcome with the triple therapy."

• Nim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

"I am on day two, and my mouth tastes like I am sucking on quinine, especially at night. I am definitely going to try chewing gum. Haven't had any other side effects, and I am praying it stays that way."

• Rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2023

"After years of symptoms, I had an endoscopy, and I was diagnosed with H. pylori. My gastroenterologist put me on the treatment called Hp 7, a combination of Nexium, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. I had so many symptoms with this treatment that I contacted my doctor and said that I just can’t do it. At that stage, I was on day 6 of 14 days. The nausea, diarrhea, aches, dizziness, and awful taste in my mouth were unbearable. Anyway, she said that she really wanted me to do the 14 days, but if I couldn’t, I had to do at least 7 days, and that every day extra was extremely beneficial. So I just stuck to it. By day 10, the antibiotics gave me terrible oral thrush, which I needed Nilstat drops for, just adding to the nausea. I am currently on day 14 and feeling proud of myself for sticking to it. I have worked while on the medication as a nurse and have only had to have one day off because of the side effects. Retest in 30 days. Hope it worked."

• Tal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2021

"I was diagnosed with Pylori through a stool test and put on Triple Therapy. I tried this for 4 days, had terrible side effects: insomnia, feeling awful, disorientation, high anxiety, and feeling terrible. I gave up, then tried again for 3 days, then had the same side effects. I then tried again, not wanting to give up, but on the third night, had horrific side effects: insomnia, frequent urination, high anxiety, pains in the stomach, and rapid heartbeat, and thought I was going completely mad. The next day was so bad, I had to go to the hospital ER, was checked over, was declared okay, but concerned that this medication therapy has done some damage to my kidneys. I guess some people are just sensitive to Triple Therapy, as it's very overpowering. Well done to anybody who gets through this treatment and is H Pylori negative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2018

"I'm on day 4 of a combo of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole. I stumbled across this forum and lots of scary side effects. As a few have said, I've only had the awful taste in my mouth, nothing else. After 2 days, I feel great!! Like my old self. Everyone has different side effects, but the people that have bad ones are more likely to comment. Stay positive. These tabs will work."

• jwa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2021

"I am on day 12 of antibiotics for H. pylori. I had a lot of anxiety about taking so many antibiotics. I take 4 amoxicillin and 2 clarithromycin daily, plus omeprazole twice a day. I thankfully have not had any terrible side effects, only the bad taste in my mouth. I have taken 2 probiotic gummies with each dose, plus drank an Activia yogurt with each one. And I've drank some kombucha, but not every day. I think replacing some good gut health has helped. I've read that blackberries and green tea are good for H. pylori also. I tried to educate myself through Google."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

"I have been taking this medicine for 5 days now. I am left with 5 more days, and I feel like I have to wait for a year to finish this med. I have never in my life experienced this kind of illness due to the medicine. I have symptoms like nausea, a metallic taste that doesn't go away, abdominal pain at night only, shortness of breath, and also not being able to sleep at night. I hope I will finish it. The only thing that is keeping me from stopping this medicine is not wanting to quit, as the doctors told me next time the bacteria will not go away and will get adapted to the medicine. But it is the worst medicine ever, I do not ever want to experience this again in my life. I would recommend taking the medicine, but you need to take a break from every social life, work that you're doing, and take the medication at home while resting only."

• kha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

"I am three-quarters of the way through a two-week course of clarithromycin for H. pylori gastritis, along with amoxicillin and an H2 blocker (because I am allergic to PPIs). The first three days were rough as I felt lightheaded and an increase in heart rate (resting heart rate between 95-105). I was also very itchy, so I used Benadryl to mitigate that. But immediately, I felt the dizziness go away, and the indigestion got better on the third day. On day five, I got the horrible metallic taste in my mouth, so I took a teaspoon of manuka honey after the doses. I also take fiber, probiotics, and ginger tea. That will help a lot. Overall, a really great medicine, and I am so happy at getting one step closer to eradicating this horrible H. pylori infection."

• Jen...
• July 31, 2018

"Not nearly as bad as I expected. The first day I had a very intense reaction, but found it was just because I was allergic to omeprazole. When I didn't take it, the only side effects I had were moderate dizziness and an occasional metallic taste. It didn't hinder the taste of food. I am quite sensitive to medications, and clarithromycin hardly bothered me at all. The dizziness even faded after three days, and I was able to function normally, even exercise. Also, some other advice, as I am a pharmacist. One person mentioned to take this with soda. I advise against that because soft drinks contain phosphoric acid and will likely exacerbate symptoms. Another notable interaction is milk products like ice cream. It helps for a short time, but then the rebound acid makes it worse. Probiotics are not clinically proven to help eradicate the bacteria, but I do recall reading a study that showed they can reduce the gastric inflammation. Good luck, whoever reads this, and I wish you a happy cure."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2021

"I’m 37 and recently diagnosed with H. pylori. Prescribed treatment plan of omeprazole, Amox, and clarithromycin. The strange taste in my mouth is awful. When I lick my lips, it tastes like pennies/chemicals. Very run down and lethargic with some memory loss and foggy brain. Eyes are dry/burning and feel like an effort to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom. Light headache and stiff neck. Runny nose. Lower back pain and gas with burping and hiccups. Strange craving for bananas. Bananas and foods with strong flavor help with taste and bloating. Gum and fruity hard candy help with taste too. Bowel movements smell strong, fruity, and weird in the grossest way. So tired. Need to take naps throughout the day."