Clindamycin and Chest Pain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Do not take this. I took it for a tooth abscess, and it got worse, and I had to go to the ER to get actual IV antibiotics pumped into me. I had horrible chest pains, felt sick, and my heart rate was very scary. Please be careful taking this medication."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "I cannot yet tell you if this works or not for my tooth infection. However, what I can tell you is to never lay down after taking this medicine for at least 30 minutes. I did last night, and thought I was having a heart attack. I had major chest pains. Worst heartburn I have ever experienced!"

• Sha...
• September 4, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "This is the second time I've been prescribed this for tooth infections. The first time I had very little side effects and it cleared up a very bad tooth infection, but this time after the first couple of days taking it, I all of a sudden got horrible pains in my chest. It would hurt to breathe in or even to swallow. I was considering going to the hospital, but now I have read that this has happened to others on this medication. It does work on getting rid of bad infections, but the chest pains are very hard. Definitely drink lots of water with and after taking it, and also eating something right before or after helps as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "A lot of people say clindamycin makes them feel sick. Hell, I couldn’t ever finish a cycle because it would make me feel sick and have chest pains. Come to find out, this antibiotic likes to get stuck in your esophagus, and that’s when the negative side effects begin. Make sure to drink a lot of water and eat something after taking it to ensure it moves through your esophagus and gets to where it needs to. Ever since I found that out and I drink about 16 oz of water right after taking, the ill feeling side effects have vanished."

• eel...
• November 3, 2013

Clindamycin for Bacterial Infection "Tooth infection. After taking 5 of the 28 pills, I had the worst heartburn of my life and could not even lay down. After 10 of them, I ended up in the ER with chest pains, excruciating heartburn, diarrhea, and the itchiest hives from head to toe. They were, however, very effective at clearing up the infection, which in turn reduced the pain in my mouth significantly. So for me, where tooth pain is almost intolerable, it was a trade-off I accept."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I noticed right away that after I took clindamycin, I had a bad taste in my mouth and tightening in my chest, which increased in intensity and longevity each day of taking it. After 5 days, my chest hurt so bad I almost went to the ER. It felt like a ton of bricks on my chest, but I was breathing normally."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I noticed right away that after I took clindamycin, I had a bad taste in my mouth and tightening in my chest, which increased in intensity and longevity each day of taking it. After 5 days, my chest hurt so bad I almost went to the ER. It felt like a ton of bricks on my chest, but I was breathing normally."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I just got put on this 5 days ago for a breastfeeding-related infection in my left breast. I get the worst heartburn, tightening in my chest, and severe burning in my throat. It also gives me terrible indigestion when I try to eat anything. The pain lasts for hours. No one told me about drinking a full glass of water and not laying down afterward. I feel a little better now, after reading these testimonials. And on the plus side, it is working great on getting rid of the infection."

• Che...
• July 13, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I was just prescribed this medication a few days ago, and I'm glad I read the information package beforehand because there are some potentially yucky side effects to this medication. I initially had no problems with this, however, last night, on my 4th night of the prescription, I woke out of a dead sleep with the worst chest pains I have ever had in my life. I legitimately thought I was having a heart attack, it was so bad. I woke my boyfriend in a panic, it was terrifying. I have had panic attacks before, and I always suffer from acid reflux, but my God, this was bad. I have never in my life been affected by a medication the way I was by this one. After a while, it did subside, but this morning I still have a dull ache in my chest/throat area."

• Tid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I started clindamycin on March 25 for sinus infection - 150 mg, 3x a day for 21 days. This is the first time I have taken this medication. This past Friday, I thought I was having a heart attack. I knew it was this medicine giving me awful heartburn/chest pain because I could 'taste' the medicine. The heartburn and awful taste are almost unbearable. I will try drinking more water and do probiotics/yogurt. I am thankful that, so far, I have not had any upset stomach or diarrhea. Thanks for the tips."

• Zab...
• November 5, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Hope this helps others! It has been said a hundred times before, so I will say it again. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK ENOUGH WATER WHEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION! I made a bad mistake by not drinking enough water with my dose. I got no sleep from the side effect of heartburn and the accompanying chest pains. So much so that I was afraid of taking my next dose. I didn't want to go through that again! I did talk myself into taking the next 600 mg because the drug works that well. I want this infection out of me once and for all! I hope these meds work for you as they have for me. Halfway there. Won't be long now!"

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I had to go to an urgent care for a rash I had, and I had told the doctor that I’m allergic to penicillin. He said clindamycin is not really a penicillin. This is the worst drug! I had to stop taking it after 4 days because I broke out in hives and had chest pain. It made my rash worse than what I started with! I do take probiotics daily anyway, but that didn’t even help! I also have gastro problems, so my stomach felt on fire! I’m praying I don’t get a c-diff infection because I’m a cancer survivor with an already bad immune system! A c-diff infection will totally be very bad for me. Doctors have to really listen to what their patients are telling them!"

• Cee...
• April 7, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Took clindamycin for a week, and my whole digestive system is messed up. Even days after finishing it, my throat burns, I feel like there is a lump of pressure in my chest whenever I try to keep food down, and my stool is very runny, and I stay bloated."

• Jc1...
• January 8, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I was on Clindamycin for 1 week, 4x/day. I had nerve pain from a tooth that was needing a root canal. It was supposed to lessen the pain I was having and didn't do that, I was still taking Ibuprofen for the pain. From the first time I took it, it gave me pain in my throat and chest, heartburn-like. I have never experienced this horrible feeling with any antibiotic EVER. I finally finished the dosage after 7 days, and my throat and chest still hurt. I wonder what it has done to my throat and chest? I am thinking of going to get it checked out. I am not sure why this was prescribed over another type of antibiotic. If you can, don't take this drug, you'll feel sick from what you have and feel sick from the antibiotic."

• Spa...
• November 5, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this for strep throat. I’ve been taking three 300 mg pills for 3 days now, and I haven’t had many issues. The only time I noticed anything was with my second dose. I took it laying down and yes, it made my chest and tummy hurt. I drank a bunch of water and sat up, and it cleared up in about 30 minutes. Just read the instructions and drink lots of water, and you will be okay. I am wondering if I should go to the store and get probiotics... as I know that antibiotics can destroy gut health."

• Joe...
• June 2, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I just got put on clindamycin for cellulitis, and immediately when I took it, I started having the worst chest pains as if I was having an anxiety attack. I thought it was my infection until the side effects of the medicine kept occurring into the next two days! I said enough was enough, I stopped taking them and went to my doctor. I couldn't sleep or lay down. Heartburn is an understatement, this antibiotic made me feel like I was dying. Never ever again will I take it, I'll go with the alternative. If anyone is freaking out about clindamycin and these side effects, I hope this helps. Stop taking them, go see your doctor again, find an alternative. No one should have to deal with these side effects."

• Gee...
• June 4, 2013

For Bacterial Infection "I started to take this medicine on a Friday, and last night (Monday night) I woke up in the middle of the night, had the worst chest pain that I have ever experienced in my life. I have never felt pain like this that has actually scared me into feeling that I need to call 911. I eventually drank a lot of water, and it helped me feel some temporary relief. I managed to fall back asleep, but when I awoke this morning, the pain is still there. Not as serious, but I gave my doctor a call, and they recommended taking Tums. I took the Tums, and the pain is not so severe, but I'm pretty nervous to take these pills now. Can't say if it's helped my infection yet because I have to go back to the doctor's for a follow-up for that to be determined."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "If you’re going to take clindamycin, please take with precaution! Drink plenty of water, and take probiotics as this medicine strips bad and good bacteria. I took it for two days on a full stomach and with a bottle of water, and I still got really bad chest pains and bad pains near my collar bones. I also got really bad tingling in my face on the side where my gum abscess was! The pain was so bad in my face, throat, and neck I literally cried! Please try to find another alternative before taking this medicine!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Started 10 days ago for severe sinus infection, 300 mg every 8 hours. Never such severe and immediate heartburn, chest pain, acid vomit in my mouth in my life. Even when I was 8 months pregnant with twins. Beyond excruciating. I eat/drink plenty, stay upright, take a high-quality probiotic. Some days I feel nothing, while others feel like I just cannot take the pain, and it comes on very suddenly. Stopping this and praying to get through tonight without vomiting because the acid in my chest, upper stomach, throat, all the way up to the back of my tongue - just unbearable. I took famotidine within 5 minutes of taking this pill tonight because the symptoms came on so suddenly and so quickly after swallowing it. I don't even see how the pill had time to dissolve, but it certainly did, and it's now caused me to feel like I have battery acid throughout my upper body. (And I wouldn't recommend anything carbonated as it just causes me to burp up acid.) I will never, ever take this medication again!!!"

• Dee...
• May 30, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "After less than a week on this medication, my infection greatly improved, but then I woke one evening with chest pain so bad that I went to the emergency room, certain I was having a heart attack! Never, ever again will I take this antibiotic."

• kig...
• August 23, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this for a severe case of tonsillitis, and it gave me horrible chest pains. The bad taste in my mouth and the diarrhea is tolerable, but the chest pains are horrid. I get pains whenever I take it and now whenever I eat as well. My dosage is 4 capsules every 8 hours. Taking probiotics once a day definitely helps with the diarrhea."

• Tij...
• May 2, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I agree with bad reviews. I followed instructions correctly. My dentist prescribed me this medication (300 mg, 3 times/day) after my two wisdom teeth extraction. I was fine for 2 days. The third day, I woke up in the middle of the night with serious pain in my esophagus and chest. I felt like someone put the worst acid in my throat. It hurt that much I went to the emergency room. They prescribed some pills to ease the pain, but it didn't help. I'm still in pain. Do not play with this medication and choose a different one if possible."

• Ups...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Just got back from my second visit to the ER in two days. Was prescribed this for an infected root canal, but can’t finish these. I have that awful metallic taste in my mouth, but that’s not the worst of it. This pain in my chest is horrible and tight and heavy. It feels like I’m going to have a heart attack! I have pain all down my back and sides and in my stomach as well. Feels like I got hit by a bus or have a really bad flu! Like many others have said, this is probably worth it for something really serious or as a last resort, but not for me. I’ve been on it for 5 days, 4 times a day."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I believe I am on day six of this antibiotic, clindamycin, and I have only seen a slight change in an extremely infected cat scratch. Still super sore and red, but the only thing I’d warn people about is to not lay down for at least ten minutes to half an hour after taking. I did it tonight, and it was the worst chest pain ever. I don’t believe I’ve ever had heartburn, but this was probably way worse than that anyway. Felt like my whole esophagus was on fire. Extremely uncomfortable. I also have horrible stomach issues and IBS, so I’m surprised I haven’t had the diarrhea side effect yet. But it’s too soon to say I won’t."

• Tyl...
• February 16, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I took this medicine for about 3 days - 4 times a day. I notice that I have severe chest pains, and I'm only 19. So I let it go on, and it got way worse!!! I started to have very bad diarrhea. I thought nothing of it until I began seeing blood in my stools. I went to the hospital as everything progressed, and they told me to stop taking the medication and prescribed me a medication that can reverse these symptoms. I advise everyone who reads this to not take this medication. And really, if they can report all of these issues, why has this medication stopped being produced? It makes no sense to produce a medication that is virtually going to kill you?"