Clarithromycin for Strep Throat User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2015

"Been very unwell for 10 days, struggled to swallow fluids, severe pain in throat and ears. Within first 24 hours, huge improvement, much more comfortable and swallowing food without wincing. Maybe too early for side effects, but such a relief."

• Eri...
• February 18, 2016

"Vile. Got the worst headache, terrible taste in mouth, dizziness, and generally feel terrible. Taking it because I have the strep bacteria in my lungs, which is uncommon. This is now my second dose, as it didn't go the first time, but I'm not convinced it's working."

• Eja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2023

"Started taking these 3 days ago after being struck with strep throat. I suffered side effects from the first dose. Probably an hour after. The nausea was horrific. I had to drive to get my daughter from nursery with a sick bowl on my lap (nausea lasted 2 days and came in strong waves. Not had it today). The bitter taste is just as bad. It's constant. I cannot drink coffee because it tastes vile. The taste is worse at night. I also have had is insomnia. Just cannot sleep. Constantly waking. And last one, which is really odd, is a dry cough? However, I felt much better 24 hours after taking and it's pretty much all cleared up, only have a minor sore throat today. No headache or fever. So I'm pleased. All in all, side effects are grim however it was fast-acting. Only 2 days left and I cannot wait to lose this bitter taste."

• Lau...
• June 27, 2015

"I was prescribed this medication to clear up my strep throat that had been lingering for quite some time. I had no side effects for the first day and found that my throat was beginning to feel better. However, the second day I noticed an extremely sour taste in my mouth, which I couldn't escape, and a very upset stomach. This medication made me feel nauseous and ill for two days before I stopped taking the medication altogether."

• che...
• November 20, 2012

"After taking this medicine for 2 days, I can notice the difference in my sputum, it's changed from green to white. However, I do feel extreme tiredness and I'm only glad I've taken time off work for this to work."

• Ann...
• January 18, 2017

"I've been on a 7-day course of this drug at 500 mg twice daily for strep throat. It has to have been one of the most unpleasant experiences I've ever had with an antibiotic. Now, I could put up with the awful metallic taste, but the absolutely horrendous nausea and fever I was getting was something else. That was aside from the insomnia side effect I experienced in addition. It doesn't do anything for my strep throat either, Flagyl is much more effective than this at a lower dosage than clarithromycin in even a 5-day course. I would seriously warn anyone who, like myself, cannot take penicillin-based medications to seek out an alternate antibiotic first."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

"I'm on day 3 of clarithromycin for a presumed strep throat - it was diagnosed even though I did not see a doctor. I feel more ill now than before. My tonsils are still swollen, and the sickness and bad taste are awful."

• Cat...
• January 19, 2017

"I was so poorly. I was shaking, sweating, cough, sore throat, sinusitis, migraine ... you name it! It hit me like a ton of bricks. After a trip to the out-of-hours doctor via a 111 phone call, I was prescribed these antibiotics. By the end of day 2, I was feeling much better, and by day 4, taking the medicine back at work and almost feeling fully recovered. Apart from a bad taste in my mouth and being thirsty, no other side effect :)"

• Smh...
• November 19, 2017

"Second day on the liquid version of this medicine. Last night I had extreme stomach pains and actually vomited. Tonight I have diarrhea and once again nausea. Although the medication is helping the strep throat, the side effects are insane."

• Spo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2022

"My husband was prescribed clarithromycin, take one 500 mg pill every 12 hours. After just two pills, I was noticing a change in him, after four pills, it was bad. Nightmares, confusion (asking for people who are deceased), not even knowing who I was. After doing some research and seeing the horror stories of others, I stopped him from taking it. He lost about 10 days of time by not remembering what was going on as just the four pills got out of his system. This is an awful drug with terrible side effects. I honestly felt I was caring for a dementia patient. Almost a year later he is still having memory issues and asking for people that aren't here in bouts. I don't know if these are related to the drug or not, but the similarities are uncanny. Never will this drug be prescribed for any of us again."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2013

Clarithromycin "I love this. I had a really bad strep throat, and I tried everything I could, so one day after I came back from a Cody Simpson signing (I couldn't miss that!), my mom and I walked to a doctor, and he suggested Biaxin. After one dose, I was feeling so much better. It's been four days, and I'm all better, and I haven't had any side effects! The only sad thing that happened while I was taking this was that a day after I got it, I had to miss a Justin Bieber concert with my friend (she went) because my parents didn't know if the side effects would affect me."

• Cat...
• September 20, 2017

"I am on day 7 and more miserable than when I started taking the drug. I have had headaches, trouble getting to sleep, stomachache, heart palpitations, and I think I have even noticed more hair falling out than usual. My tonsils are still swollen and sore throat is still present, but I have gotten a yeast infection because all the good bacteria in my vagina have apparently been killed, so I'm out of balance. Miserable. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to see if I can get something else. Should have done it days ago."

• kei...
• March 3, 2017

"Let's just say I never write reviews for anything, but I am on day 4 of this antibiotic for strep throat, and all I can say is that I actually felt better with the strep than I do on this medication. Worst stomachs, itchiness, and sleeplessness. It has also caused me severe anxiety and racing heart. I was told to try and give it another day or two by my doctor, but I am actually hoping I just get a rash just so I can stop this stuff!!!!"

• Gle...
• March 10, 2016

"While it very quickly started to heal my strep throat, I am done. The side effects are so severe, I'd seriously rather have the strep throat. I have never had an antibiotic make me so sick. I've lost 2 lbs. in one day, unable to eat anything. Even a picture of food makes me want to throw up. I force food down when taking the pill. I have severe night sweats, waking up every hour, drinking a full bottle of water, my mouth feels like a desert. I have another antibiotic already at home that I am going to start. I can not deal with this drug anymore."

• Pet...
• April 29, 2017

"Been on this antibiotic for 10 days for a swab test-confirmed strep throat, and it has not done a damn thing. My throat is still killing me. The only thing good was that there were no side effects or unpleasant taste for me."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2016

"I am allergic to penicillin (break out in a rash) and amoxicillin (go into anaphylactic shock), so my doctor prescribed me this for a bad bout of tonsillitis. Within the first two pills (500 mg twice a day), the swelling has gone down, and although the pain is still there, I feel these pills are really working well for me. As for side effects, I have had exactly zero. I take them with food, and so far everything seems to be working well. It might be worth noting that during this bout of tonsillitis, I have suffered severe insomnia, fever, and hallucinations, so even if the antibiotics did cause side effects, I would not know! Brilliant drug."

• kme...
• December 19, 2015

"Worst medication ever. Was prescribed for strep throat...the swollen tonsils and pain in my throat have subsided; however, the first dose made me so weak I almost passed out. Now it's day 3, and I have severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea every 10 to 20 minutes for the past 6 hours, gas all day long; and I feel faint here and there. I called my doctor, and he switched me to a Z-Pak starting tomorrow morning. I can't wait 'til this is over."

• Fro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2013

"Took this for strep throat. First day was okay (besides the fact that these pills are rather large and hard to swallow). Second day was horrible. Diarrhea twice, then my heart started racing. Called the doctor who said go to the emergency room right away, this medicine can cause heart palpitations. Heart rate was around 130 bpm for over 4 hours with no sign of slowing down. Finally, the doctor in the ER decided to administer an anti-arrhythmic medicine to decrease the heart rate. The clarithromycin did seem to start working almost right away, after my second dose, I felt much better, then the horrific side effects kicked in."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

"Absolutely horrendous. Worst antibiotic I have ever tried. Was given 2x a day for 5 days for strep throat. Day 1, severe sickness, anxiety due to thinking I’m going to be sick every minute, found some anti-sickness and felt a bit better. Day 2 cramps kicked in, agony, and then unexpected diarrhea several times. Day 3, and it’s the afternoon I feel absolutely miserable and the cramps are back, expect to spend the day on the toilet. Bright side, strep has cleared up well, but what are all these side effects about, I feel worse than ever and have never had this with any antibiotic. I’m in 2 minds not to do the final 2 days. I will never accept this antibiotic again, literally feel like I’m poisoning myself. The old antibiotic never did anything like this. Glad I’m not alone."

• Air...
• May 22, 2015

"This is my second time taking clarithromycin for strep. The first time I took it, I hardly had any side effects and began improving drastically after a day. The only downside was a metallic taste, which I found well worth the pain as I hadn't eaten in 4 days. This time, my doctor prescribed me amoxicillin. My condition only worsened, and I took it for 4 days before getting another prescription. I took a tablet 4-5 hours ago, and I'm already noticing mild improvements. This time around, my strep was severe, and the swelling was a little obscene, making it hard to eat food with it. I managed to get down 3 spoonfuls of jello and half a glass of chocolate milk. I experienced mild stomach pain that served more as a warning than anything."

• Jor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2018

"This medication is one I’ve never had, but was willing to try anything as my throat pain was horrendous! I’ve got strep throat, something I’ve never heard of before. I’m 28 and have suffered loads with my tonsils. This medication (tablets) I was cutting into 4 just to swallow, and it was awful. Had to go back and get the liquid form. I’ve been on it a week and feel LOADS better, it’s definitely working for me. Only downside is the taste in my mouth isn’t nice by the morning, lol. Like a poison taste! And taking my last dose (12 hours later) makes me sleep all night, something I’ve struggled with for months as my thyroid is underactive! Definitely try it, and if it’s not for you, it’s not for you :) :)"

• Zar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2018

"I was given this drug by my doctor because I’m allergic to penicillin. I’ve been dreadfully ill for 2 weeks with the flu and strep throat. I started to take these, but the side effects are so bad that I’ve had to stop. My eyes hurt, I’ve been vomiting, and I feel like I’ve been kicked in my back. Nausea and headaches, plus a bad taste in my mouth, also palpitations make it unbearable. I now am left with a really bad chest infection... but I’d rather fight this than take those pills again... I’d give them zero stars if I could :("

• kal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2018

"The worst thing about this is that you get a terrible metallic bitter taste in your mouth. No matter what you do, it stays there. It makes food even taste somewhat differently. I also always get small bumps on my chest every time I take it. The drug does work for me, though, and I’ve taken it for more than one thing. I’m allergic to penicillin, so this is the closest related kind that I can take."

• Orl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2018

"I am allergic to penicillin, so normally get prescribed Erythromycin. This time, the doctor prescribed Clarithromycin 500 mg x 2 per day. Quite a large tablet for a sore throat, but they do go down easily. I am quite sensitive, but these have been okay. Some sporadic diarrhea, but not too bad. Nasty taste in my mouth in the morning, which is weird. Tingling skin on hands, again a bit weird, but nothing too bad. Throat cleared up really quickly, but I took the full course as advised. Very pleased with the drug. Better than Erythromycin that I am usually prescribed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2016

"I experienced stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and had a metallic taste in my mouth. On the third day, my throat started to hurt again. It must be said that I've never experienced side effects from an antibiotic I've taken in the past ever..."