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Clarithromycin for Sinusitis User Reviews (Page 5)

Brand names: Biaxin XL

Reviews for Clarithromycin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • har...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 6, 2016

"Did clear up the sinus infection I've had raging for a month or so. The nausea is crippling - make sure to take it with food. Definitely experienced the metallic taste - it's disgusting. Interacts with albuterol, which is making my life a little extra hard considering that I've had bronchitis/asthma for the past month and a half."

6 / 10
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  • mel...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 19, 2016

"Only been taking this antibiotic for pleurisy and a sinus infection for 3 days. Day 1, bad bitter taste in mouth and terrible thirst. Day 2, diarrhea. Day 3, the worst headache I have ever had. This drug should come with a GIANT warning on the packet. DON'T take this drug, it has vile side effects. My doctor has told me to stop it immediately. So I have!"

1 / 10
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  • sim...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 2, 2015

"Clarithromycin seems to be quite effective with sinusitis. I hate the side effects, though. This antibiotic produces a bitter/metallic taste on my tongue. I haven't experienced diarrhea, but I now poop once in the morning and once in the evening. I used to poop once a day before taking this antibiotic."

9 / 10
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13 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • sus...
  • March 26, 2009

Clarithromycin "I went to the doctor 4 days ago. I have been sick for 2 weeks. I have a major sinus infection and cough. 500 mg of Biaxin twice a day, Flonase, ibuprofen, and Mucinex. Still not better - called the doctor who said to give it one more day and come in."

4 / 10
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  • Sue...
  • July 15, 2018

"After taking this medication for two days, I got a massive headache, which I originally thought was from the sinus infection. I kept taking it for three more days with a continual massive headache. Finally, I looked up side effects of this, and this has to be the cause. The headaches make me nauseous, and Tylenol and Advil don’t even touch it. I threw the rest out and can’t wait until this is out of my system. I have never had such horrible headaches and contemplated having my husband take me to the emergency room for pain relief. I will never, ever take this again. It caused me four wasted days on the couch with a pounding headache. Horrible."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 4, 2009

Clarithromycin "The first night I was nauseated, but thought it was just from the sinus infection. Two nights later I started to itch all over, thought maybe it was something else and have been itching ever since (2 days ago). I also have thrush. I have been eating yogurt, and it's not doing anything for it. I suppose the itching isn't as bad as the pain, but it's equally as annoying."

1 / 10
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  • I...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 8, 2016

"This medicine should be banished from existence. I want to skull drag the doctor for prescribing it. I would rather have the sinus infection than feel the way I do now. If your doctor suggests this medicine, walk off, but not before dumping this horrid medicine down their throats so they can feel its wrath. I have just about every physical side effect you can get from this junk."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Lee...
  • July 1, 2019

"As a regular sufferer of sinusitis (although it's been few and far between as I get older), this has always been my go-to antibiotic. The 'mycin' family antibiotics work really well for me, whereas sulfas I have an allergic response to, and amoxicillin only gives me yeast infections. Usually 500 mg every 12, but I don't need it for long... closer to 5 days than 10. I notice side effects when I don't really need it: bad taste in mouth, stomach upset, the trots, nausea. I find this drug works amazingly well for me. Although I'm usually advised to take the whole amount, my body simply can't handle it, and lets me know when it's time to stop! When it's working, none of those side effects are present-just healing. Different antibiotics work differently for different people's systems, but if erythromycin works for you, this is like its stronger big brother. I recommend."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 3, 2008

"I was put on clarithromycin for a mild sinus infection after two weeks of being untreated. Side effects (GI upset and unusual tiredness) were mild but irritating. Symptoms (fever, headache, post-nasal drip) were greatly relieved by 3 days of taking the drug."

7 / 10
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  • Izz...
  • February 9, 2017

"I've suffered chronic sinusitis for years, and after building up a tolerance for most antibiotics, I was put on clarithromycin. After the first day, I was experiencing severe diarrhea and the awful taste in my mouth. It's now day 4, after the constant chemical taste (absolute torture) and waking up two nights in a row from nightmares, I quit. Done taking this and will NEVER take it again. Wasn't helping my sinus infection anyways."

1 / 10
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  • Ell...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 28, 2018

"Worst drug I've ever taken. I took it for four days, 500 mg twice a day. It may have helped with the sinus infection, but it wiped me off my feet. Terrible taste in my mouth, upset stomach, diarrhea, and felt like I was going to faint at times. I'll fight the infection on my own.. :("

5 / 10
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  • Dal...
  • August 9, 2015

"On the third day of treatment for a severe sinus infection that Amoxy wouldn't clear. Drainage has slowed somewhat, but the nose is really dry and painful. Taking Flonase and Mucinex along with Singulair. Side effects: anxiety, irritability, strange depressive thoughts, and a metallic taste in the mouth, burning urination, and a slight tummy ache."

5 / 10
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  • Abs...
  • March 6, 2017

"Prescribed this antibiotic today for sinus pain. Read the leaflet and had doubts as the list of possible side effects was enormous, but have been plagued with post-nasal drip and face pain for a week, so went ahead and took tablet one at about 2 p.m. Couldn't finish evening meal, although hungry, as began to feel very nauseous. An hour later, my stomach is gurgling and popping like mad, and I feel like I'm going to throw up. I positively detest being physically sick. The very thought of vomiting is making me ill. I also feel jittery, a bit like anxiety. This is a nightmare and totally not worth it. Will not be taking gigantic tablet number two, bah!"

1 / 10
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  • Im...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 29, 2016

"12.29.16 I too suffer from sinusitis due to a deviated septum. I've become allergic to penicillin, sulfa, and doxycycline, made me lose skin, and I'm sensitive to Z-Pak. I know clarithromycin is in the same family as Z-Pak, but man did this work for me within 2 days. No colors, facial pain, cough, etc. I do get that weird metallic taste, but I just deal with it. I eat Greek yogurt with the doses (500 mg twice a day) to avoid stomach pain and diarrhea due to the good bacteria in the Greek yogurt. I do find myself getting hyper at times while on it and tired, but it's worth it. As far as not sleeping, I use marijuana, an INDICA strain (yes, it makes a difference) in the evenings to help sleep. I try to stay hydrated as well, Gatorade. It worked wonders for me."

10 / 10
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  • Jor...
  • September 11, 2015

"First off, this tablet makes me feel so nauseous, however, I've had trouble hearing anything recently, and it has picked up since I was prescribed this drug. Though it always leaves an awful, hard-to-describe metallic tangy taste on the sides of my tongue, it is so disgusting! I went through a whole packet of mints in 1 hour trying to get rid of it. I always feel sick taking this, but it works. Embarrassing to say, I have to poop twice a day now, but they're always small bits! It's uncomfortable, but it gets the job done."

5 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 15, 2025

"This seems to be a love or hate medicine. Personally, I love it. Like another reviewer, all I taste is vanilla when I swallow it. (However, I'm one of those people that have trouble with side effects with meds that are normally very well tolerated.) Biaxin works quickly, and I feel noticeably better around the third day. PS I've been using it for my respiratory infections since '93."

10 / 10
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  • Pat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 19, 2019

"Prescribed clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 4 weeks for a resistant sinus infection (cannot take penicillin derivatives). It seems to be working 4 days in - only 24 to go! Only side effects are a bad taste in mouth (everyone gets this!) and some diarrhea, but since I also suffer from IBS, this in a strange way helps."

8 / 10
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  • Mik...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 18, 2020

"This clarithromycin gave me a very poor experience. I am 3/4 of the way through taking the course, and I threw it in the trash. If you have anxiety, do NOT take this drug. I have never had worse insomnia from an antibiotic. All day I feel tired, and then at night I am sleepless. In addition to this, the nausea makes it very difficult to eat. I am in my mid-20s and never thought something as simple as an antibiotic could do this. As far as treating the sinus infection, it went away, but I am still experiencing a runny nose."

3 / 10
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  • Man...
  • March 30, 2017

"Had the most bizarre dreams with this tablet. Woke up feeling drugged out and nauseous. Bad headache, bubbly tummy due to wind, foggy head. I only took 3 tablets and will never touch this tablet again."

3 / 10
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  • Stu...
  • December 24, 2020

"Not entirely sure what rating to give this. I’ve been taking this antibiotic for 4 days for sinus congestion and Eustachian tube blockage. Not sure if it’s normal to have it kick in by now or not? I do feel a slight relief of pressure in my middle ear, I’m assuming that means it’s working? Help?"

6 / 10
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  • sal...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 8, 2023

"I began taking clarithromycin for a sinus infection for 10 days. Worked fine until I stopped it. I went back to the doctor, and he said let's try 30 days instead. 500 mg twice daily. Well, I was on it for 2 days when I began to cough uncontrollably, gagging, and almost not breathing. I did this for 2 days and nights. I thought something isn't right. I looked for the drug interactions and discovered my Advair Disk was a no-no. I then found that some vitamins: calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and Vit. K were also not to be taken with this antibiotic. I also found that this drug has been 'Black Boxed,' meaning it has terrible consequences for your heart and even death. Yikes! I took one tonight, only to start coughing again. I am going to stop it regardless of what they tell you to finish your prescription. I didn't realize how bad this was. I took it as a young person years ago, and it did fine for bronchitis and tonsillitis. I am 70 now, and I guess it isn't a good thing for me."

1 / 10
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  • Peg...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 15, 2018

"Am I the only one that has had no bad side effects? I did have palpitations on the first night, but all gone. I'm on them for two weeks with severe sinusitis! Have to say I'm on day 4 and feeling much better. I would take these again!"

7 / 10
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  • Apo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 20, 2015

"The first 3 days of taking this, I was having hot flashes and felt nauseous from the taste of the pills. So I ate a lot of throat lozenges to try and get rid of the taste. I would wake up in the middle of the night because I could taste it still. I have one more day left to take the medicine. Sinus is gone, which is fantastic. Doctor told me to take probiotics every day or I could get a yeast infection. I took probiotics every day, and towards the end of taking these pills, I had a little painful urination, and now I think I have a yeast infection."

6 / 10
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  • mMp...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 16, 2016

"Two hours after the first dose, I had a pounding headache, severe nausea, dizziness/vertigo, and a horrible metallic taste in my mouth. Four hours later, the taste has subsided. But the headache is still a problem. If I move too quickly, the nausea returns. On the plus side, the pain from the sinus infection is now tolerable (before it was excruciating). My sense of smell and taste has started to return. And I can breathe again, though this could be due to two other medications I was also prescribed (Otrivin and Acetylcystein Hexal). The last time I took antibiotics, I came down with an awful case of esophageal thrush, more painful than even a sinus infection, which took one and a half months to resolve. So I am waiting to see what will happen."

5 / 10
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  • Sin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 28, 2017

Clarithromycin "I used this twice and it worked each time. However, I used clav recently for swelling in my chin, and while the clav is bringing down the swelling, the sinusitis is coming back! I think I will need to go on a dose of Biaxin after this clav."

10 / 10
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7 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

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