Metronidazole and Metallic Taste: What Users Say (Page 5)

• ker...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2022

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "I developed C. diff. from Augmentin for a sinus and throat infection. Because of weekends, holidays, and labs slowed by the ongoing pandemic, it took an extra 10 days to get the C. diff. diagnosis. Then my doctor tried Vancomycin. Twice. It didn't work. So now she went to metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d., because my insurance requires me to try this before a more expensive antibiotic. By day 2 of this, the diarrhea stopped, which is a relief, so now I'm pretty much constipated. After 2 months of diarrhea and soft stools, this is welcome. But the side effects have me thinking the C. diff. is just bent on taking me down one way or another. The awful metallic taste, fuzzy tongue, dizziness, and even worse insomnia and mental fog than I usually have are bad enough, but now I also am itching all over despite taking Allegra-D during the day and Benadryl at night! I just finished day 10 of 14 days. I've been sucking on hard tack candies and chewing gum to stop this taste! This had better cure the C. diff.!"

• Bab...
• September 3, 2015

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Taking this medication alongside Clarithromycin really caused a bitter metallic taste in the mouth. It caused me to produce more spit in my mouth and turned the color of my stool to pitch black. It is prescribed for 14 days, being taken 2 times a day. Currently on day number 5 and hoping the taste will subside. Here's to happy health and a better stomach."

• Lyr...
• February 27, 2017

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Okay, I've been getting recurring BV, especially when I have unprotected sex with my same partner. I don't know why it keeps coming back, and it's nasty and embarrassing. It's ruining my sex life. I've been on these stupid antibiotics for like 3 months. First dose was 7 days, then the second and third dose, 14 damn days, and now the smell is just getting worse, and I don't know what to do. I don't get any side effects, like headaches, etc., just brown urine and the metal taste."

• Mkm...
• March 12, 2017

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I am on my 5th day of taking this pill. The first 3 days, I experienced nausea, fuzzy vision, brown urine, and a metallic taste in my mouth. I've noticed that the discharge has been improving, but the smell is still there. I'm really hoping this pill works because I can't stand the smell, it's so embarrassing and uncomfortable, especially since I'm sexually active."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "This is the absolute WORST antibiotic I have ever taken in my life. I have been to the ER 3 times with horrible stomach spasms, nausea, and foggy brain, and no doctor could figure out what was wrong. The latest visit was today. I have finally decided to do my own research and ended up here. *The metallic taste lasts all day long and is disgusting. *After about an hour of taking it, it's like a wave hits me, and I become dizzy, disoriented, and foggy. *I have been so tired, barely able to keep focused at work. *No appetite and no thirst. *Dark urine. *Vomiting. I have lost 8 lbs on this medication, and I am cutting it short today. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

For Dental Abscess "I’ve been taking metronidazole for 2 days, and so far no dramatic side effects, but definitely have a metallic taste in my mouth and experienced blurred vision temporarily. But that could have been from a migraine, as I do suffer from ‘silent’ migraines, as they are known. Dental infection seems improved, no stomach issues, but I have lost my appetite a bit, which is perhaps why that’s the case."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2017

For Trichomoniasis "I had my first Pap smear last week, and my doctor informed me that I have trichomoniasis. I had no idea I had something, so I have no idea how long I've had it. I was prescribed Pilva, their generic for Flagyl, 500 mg tablets 3 times a day for 10 days, and I must say, compared to some of the other comments on here, it seems like a pretty high dosage, but I must say it works. I'm about 5 days into this, and I have had a lot less discharge, but it leaves a metallic taste in my mouth when I take it. I'm really tired all the time, and also I was at the gym last night trying to work out, and I got really dizzy, and my vision got blurry. I'll be so ready when this medicine is over with, it tastes like death, but it works, and that's all that really matters."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2015

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I took metronidazole for BV. It worked right away, however, my first symptom was a metallic taste. Soon, my appetite was decreasing. On Day 6, I felt extremely nauseous. I have one more to take. I've never had horrible experiences swallowing pills except now. On Day 7, I'm still miserable with being nauseous to the point where I can't get up and do simple daily things. I hope I do not get this again because, although the medicine works wonders, the symptoms have been horrible."

• GAL...
• January 20, 2016

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Works very well. On day two and barely have any symptoms. You must eat with this medication because I found if I do not, then I get extremely sick. Other than that, drink plenty of water with it and, like I said, make sure to eat. Very satisfied with this medicine. I also do not have a metallic taste like some people say. I think if you 'think' you're going to taste it, then you taste it. It's very psychological. Don't try to research this drug yourself. Listen to your doctor, they are giving this to you for a reason! So taste bad or not, take it!"

• Dej...
• February 10, 2016

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I started taking this pill last week. I have 1 full day and a morning pill left. It's made me bleed off and on. The taste is nasty, I agree with that. But what I've had help me is to take a drink and tilt your head back with the drink still in mouth and put it in the back of my throat and then swallow it. The taste is still there somewhat. But the nurse in me knows it's nothing - a little bit of salt on the palm of my hand, and it takes that nasty taste away. Thank goodness. Hoping and praying it works and the BV stays away. Oh, I also got the lower back pain, headache, and metallic taste. But if it takes care of the deal, I can handle those few things."

• Bri...
• August 20, 2017

For Bacterial Vaginosis "So I see a lot of people complaining of nausea. This medicine will make you ill if you don't eat with it. That's why it states on the bottle, take with food. This medication has its ups and downs, but it has been effective for me in the past. Though sometimes it causes me a yeast infection (probiotics help with that). The metallic taste is probably the worst part for me. This round, though, I'm on day two, pill three, and I feel like I woke up and the smell had gotten stronger. Anyone else ever experience that? That and cramps are the only symptoms I have, I just want the smell gone! I'm wondering if it will get worse for a second before it gets better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2017

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Day 3 of taking this drug. First day my discharge was heavy and made my underwear soaked. I'm definitely more tired this week than usual. Day 3, the smell is gone and the discharge has cleared up. Found red, itchy bumps on my right wrist. The 'metal taste' is there, but it goes away quickly when you drink water right after. I take this medicine in the evening at the same time every day, so it works. Nothing to complain about."

• jus...
• November 3, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "This is the 3rd course of metronidazole I've taken in the last year for BV, and I will never take this medication again! The first 2 times I had the normal side effects of headache, fatigue, and metallic taste. This 3rd time has been an absolute nightmare! Around day 4 was when I started to get heart palpitations, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, tiredness, and chills. I literally thought I was going to die a couple of times. I had to go to the ER because I almost passed out. They did a full work-up with labs and an EKG and found nothing wrong. I've stopped the medication 5 days ago, and my symptoms are getting worse. I'm not sure how long it will take for this medication to get out of my system, but I hope it is soon!"

• AGi...
• December 1, 2017

For Trichomoniasis "I was prescribed four 500 mg pills to take at one time. My gyno highly recommended that I take them with food because it would most likely upset my stomach. I weigh 95 lbs soaking wet, and I'd never taken antibiotics before, so it seemed like a rather harsh treatment, but I took the medication as directed. I took it around 10 pm, an hour before I went to sleep. It made me very drowsy right away. I woke up around 5 am with the most horrendous nausea imaginable, and I started vomiting an hour later. The nausea and vomiting stayed for a couple of days. I developed a fever and had chills. Other side effects I experienced: stomach cramps, diarrhea, mouth sores, that metallic taste in my mouth, extremely dark urine."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2019

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I am only on my second pill (took one yesterday and one today), and I have to stop. This medication is awful! I've had a severe, searing headache for hours. I had a similar one yesterday too. This headache is unlike anything I've ever experienced before and completely debilitating. I also experienced nausea, heart palpitations, chills, flushing, and anxiety. And the metallic taste that hasn't gone away since the first pill. I could've maybe stuck it out with just those side effects, but this headache is just too much to bear. I would recommend trying any other treatment option before this. Oh, and the black box warning (caused cancer in lab rats) makes it all the more not worth taking."

• Eup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I just stopped taking the metronidazole pills last night. I was on it for BV and on Day 4 of taking 500 mg 3 times a day, and let me tell you, that was the WORST experience of my life. I’ve had UTIs and tonsillitis multiple times before, I’ve even contracted mono, so I thought I was prepared for this medication, and I was surely mistaken. Day 2, I noticed dark urine, headaches, REALLY bad nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, loss of appetite, dizziness, confusion, and a metallic taste in all foods and drinks. Things only got worse from there. I began throwing up bile from my inability to eat and nearly passed out. I switched to the metronidazole vaginal gel, and I seriously doubt that I should’ve ever been prescribed the pills, especially without the knowledge of it and its side effects."

• Mer...
• March 14, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I took Flagyl 500 mg/3 days and Cipro for 10 days due to a bacterial infection. The infection was already causing me stomach pains and headaches, which the meds seemed to clear up. I did experience nausea the first few days, as well as tiredness, headaches, metallic taste, and diarrhea that were all pretty bad. If my infection is gone, it was worth it, but I'm 3 days off the meds and still my stomach isn't totally right, and I feel tired and weak."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2018

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I haven’t had any side effects with this. After the first day, I noticed my discharge getting back to normal, and after day 2, I had no smell at all and barely any discharge. (I’m also close to starting my cycle, so maybe that's why.) The taste is horrible, though. I’ve been taking the tablets, and they start to melt as soon as you put them in your mouth. Just drink lots of water and maybe eat a cracker to lose the taste. I have noticed a slightly metallic taste in my mouth, though. But 10/10 would take it again. :)"

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2023

For Giardiasis "This medication is rough! I was having GI issues for 2 weeks after getting back from a trip to SE Asia. The stool test suggested I had Giardia and ova and other parasites - yikes! Started on metronidazole 500 mg, three times daily, for 7 days. Made it 3.5 days and requested to switch meds. Side effects included headache, brain fog, fatigue, urine discoloration, nausea, loss of appetite, and a metallic taste."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "This is a nasty tasting pill, but does work for curing a bacterial problem. I took it three times daily for 10 days. I experienced many of the symptoms mentioned in other letters. I also had a feeling of withdrawal and insomnia once I stopped taking the pill. I still have the metallic taste after two days. Other than all that, it does the job it's designed to do."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2013

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Today is my second day with metronidazole 500 mg, and I have to take it 3 times a day for 5 days, and I feel great. The only problem I have is that I can't go to sleep, and every juice I take tastes metallic to me. Every time I take the pill, my heart rate goes from 80 to 100 in like minutes, and the pill tastes like metal. But I love it. I feel so much better now than I was before. I mean, I still have some things, but it's getting there."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2015

For Bacterial Vaginosis "Prescribed 500 mg three times a day for 7 days. The side effects for me were absolutely awful. I could barely function. Went down to 500 mg twice a day. I am so miserable. No energy, intense headaches, extreme nausea, pelvic pain, I'm sweating all the time. My urine is orange, and I've had diarrhea since the first night. And I can't even begin to describe the taste it left in my mouth. I could eat a big meal, pop my pills, and gag for hours, would wake up with such a metallic taste I would puke in the middle of the night. I'll admit, they worked great. My odor and itch were gone by day 2. I'm on day 4, and because of the side effects, I'm unsure if I can continue."

• Bro...
• April 19, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Before taking Flagyl, make sure to review all possible negative interactions it might have with other medications you're taking. My recent battle with Flagyl occurred after I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. It just happened to coincide with my decision to start taking Tagamet for my acid reflux. Little did I know that Tagamet, a fine drug by itself, should not be taken along with Flagyl. Soon after my regimen of Flagyl and Cipro started, I began experiencing a horrible metallic taste that permeated my entire system. My skin became hot and sensitive. I was nauseous. Bad headaches. Dizziness. Stiff neck. Insomnia. Tagamet, a pharmacist told me, was preventing the release of Flagyl from my system, compounding its negative effects."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2019

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "This is the 14th day taking this metronidazole for C. diff, colitis, and E. coli infections. It has been one of the most miserable times in my life. It definitely cleared up the infections, and I can appreciate its effectiveness and low cost. The side effects for me included constant nausea, a metal taste in my mouth, brain fog, and insomnia even though I took it with a full meal. It is a horrible pill to swallow, and I am glad that this is my last day. Hopefully, I will begin to feel normal, and I will be done with this 'off' feeling."

• doe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Bacterial Vaginosis "I was on a 5-day course of metronidazole 2x a day dosage for BV. Waking up the morning of day 2, my mouth tasted very strong of metal, almost to the point of gagging. Throughout the second day, I felt my stomach was very weak, and now being on day 3, I am extremely drowsy with a minor headache and strong feelings of nausea throughout the entire day. The taste of metal lingers for the entirety of the day, however, it is something that you become used to. On the flip side, the symptoms of my infection had begun to decrease after 1 day of medication, and by day 2 they were completely gone! Overall, the symptoms are not extremely unbearable, they just take some getting used to, and in my opinion, 5 days of side effects is worth curing your infection by day 2!"