Clarithromycin

Had my second dose of clarithromycin 500 mg for chest infection. Been diagnosed with lupus recently. Woke up with very itchy throat. Can't stop coughing for almost 2 mins. Worst feeling ever!!!

I took one course of Clarithromycin for a middle ear infection which came back a couple of weeks later, I was then advised to take it for a longer time (1 month). It took 7 days of the next course to clear all symptoms of my middle ear infection, but by then I started to experience what I now realise are side-effects of the medication, these included:
- increasing frequency of heart palpitations (consisting of fast but regular beats)
- increasing frequency of weird nerve sensations e.g. tingling and pins and needles in left hand; cold shivers down the backs of my arms (and later back & legs); nerve tingles across may face (toward the eye and down to the jaw/mouth) mainly on the left side (the side of my ear infection) but also occurring on the right side.
- weakness in my right shoulder/arm muscle
- and the one that worried me, a very strong and irregular heart arrhythmia episode that woke me at 3 am.
I consulted my pharmacist who recommended stopping the medication. I stopped after completing only 12 days of the recommended month.
- The taste of the Clarithromycin was still coming out into my mouth 3-4 days after stopping.
- The nerve spasms, shivers, pins and needles & weakness in my arm slowly improved over 2 weeks.
- The regular heart palpitations have reduced over 2 weeks and seem to have gone (I was referred to a cardiologist to check my heart for abnormalities etc. all OK)
I'm surprised at how toxic this medication is - is it known to be a neurotoxin or something??

took my 4th (and LAST) dose this morning, have a terrible metallic taste in my mouth, nausea, very hot, slight swelling on face, hurts when I swallow and a general feeling of being unwell. I was given this drug for a chest infection which had been unresponsive to another drug, but I think I'd rather have the infection than risk feeling so unwell again.

I had a severe sore-throat and my doc prescribed clarithomycin. two doses later i have sever pruritus and vomiting.

I have been taking clarithromycin for bronchitis. At first I thought it was my imagination or the illness but I began to experience psychological side affects. My brain was racing like I was on speed, I could not sleep or had nightmares. I felt so reved up that I had to keep moving. They were similar to side affects I have had when on levaquan and avelox. I am 75 years old, in quite good healthy but it made me feel like I was going crazy.

I have been taking clarithromycin for bronchitis. At first I thought it was my imagination or the illness but I began to experience psychological side affects. My brain was racing like I was on speed, I could not sleep or had nightmares. I felt so reved up that I had to keep moving. They were similar to side affects I have had when on levaquan and avelox. I am 75 years old, in quite good healthy but it made me feel like I was going crazy.

I was prescribed this medication for bronchitis. After three dosages, I had to sleep on the floor of the bathroom because I was overcome with severe nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting for almost 24 hours straight. It is 48 hours after my last dosage and I still have an extremely tender stomach, and only several small bouts of diarrhea. An odd side effect is that when I brush my teeth, if the toothbrush gets near any of my crowns, the jolting sensation is so great that I nearly jump out of my skin... weird reaction to the metal of something? This reaction is the WORST I have ever had from a medication, and that includes interferon, which initially was extremely debilitating. It may work for some people but, taking into consideration what I went through, I would NEVER recommend it to anyone!!!
On the plus side, I have barely noticed the bronchitis for 48 hours (please note heavy sarcasm).

I was left with nerve damage ringing in my ears. I lost vision in one eye. I had panic attacks. It was a drug from hell. NEVER AGAIN!

Hi! One month after stop taking clarithromycin, I've got severe diarrhea, and Clostridium difficile toxins were found in my stool. Also, I lost a feeling on genital area, I think this antibiotic is dangerous, and stays very long time in our sistem and cause damage in GI tract, and also nerve system. This is my bad experience.

I just took my 4th pill.  The taske in my mouth is so bad that it wakes me up through the night.  I tried brushing and gargling with Listerine, but didn't help.  I just took some very strong oil of oregano.  Maybe that will help. The other side effect is pounding heartbeat.  I do think it is working on my sinus infection however.

Was fantastic, reduced my lupus symptoms significantly while i was taking it and for about three weeks afterwards

horrible horrible joint pain and diarrhoea.

I have taken Clarithromycin for the past 24 hours for giardia lamblia (parasite in intestine) & so far no results. Have had diarrhea since February 10th due to the parasite & this pill is not helping at all. Plus I have aweful abdominal & back cramps, am very irritable & have that 'just not right' feeling in my head & a headache to boot. Hoping that I do not end up with any other side effects, as I happen to be one of those people that suffer from the rarest side effects from almost every drug out there.

I took Clarythromycin for 3 days before developing severe abdominal cramping and severe diarrhea with mucous and bright-red blood in the stool.  Needless to say I never took another and won't.  Since that time (it's been a couple of years), I regularly develop anal fissures or bleeding in the stool - usually mild and sometimes medium although it is difficult to quantify.  While I can't prove that clarythromycin is responsible, I can say that I had never had a single issue with it prior to taking the med.  But I have no noubt the med was responsible for the initial bout of symptoms.

I've exactly the same experience as you, and I've been taking the antibiotics for 48 hours.  For he past 2 nights I've had vivid dreams and a restlessness.  I've got 5 more days of taking this, will my dreams and restlessness continue whilst taking this medication?

a few hours after the first dose and my spit began to taste very bitter...like a chemical, then a horrid headache. I've been on it for 5 days now and neither of these side effects has gone away. I take it with food and i still get so sick that i need to go to sleep. I also notice that while I have had a bit of relief from my bronical symptoms, that has plateaued and i still cough and wheeze, with chest pains.

took first dose last night and second this morning .. have had diahrroea but more frustrated at feeling no response to this yet .. got prescribed for chest infection and i still have flu

After taking Clarithromycin, I experienced headache, hot flushes, fever, and itchiness all over.

rash on face very dry skin and blotched burning feeling

i have to take the dosage for a chest infection and get rid of bronchotis... but it turns bad as i dont sleep anymore nor can i have a good long night. either i keep waking up, just stay my eyes open or have vivid bad nightmares.... 

I am scared to death that I will never feel right again. I have such abdominal pain, gas, constipation, lightheadness, I can't explain how my head feels. Like an out of body experience. Bad!  It has been 48 hours since I took the last dose of the HELL drug.  How long will  it take to get back to normal?

had a chest infection and lupus flare, felt so weak I imagined I would never be well again. I had inflammation in my lungs and wept in the pharmacy as I went for more pain meds. I agree drug from hell

The drug from hell! I ended up with nerve pain , can't touch hot or cold. Opened ulcers. I had mouth sores pop up . I feel cold on and off , painful hands. Panic attacks, never experienced one till I was on this stuff. I have been left with nerve pain and don't know what to expect now. I can't believe that doctors can give this in good conscience,

i took clarithromycin and i had severe symptoms, ranging from lightheadedness to almost convulsion state, i felt very weird in my head, its a very hard feeling to explain but it was awful. thing is some ppl may be sensitive to antibiotics not much of this immunity to antibiotics is known  id advise anyone taking them if u feel funny see your doctor asap...its not just in your head.

I thought I was having a spike in my blood pressure...I was dizzy and light-headed. I have been on it for 10 days and was just prescribed another week as the infection has not cleared up yet.

I was only on this medication for 3 days (due to having strep throat) and stopped immediately. I experienced severe shaking as if I had chills, anxiety attacks that had me stuttering, inability to sleep, and muscle cramps! I will NEVER take this again!!!! >:o