December 28th
2008
9:53 AM
I had been with a cold for 2 months and could not see anything on the xray. I had chest pains in one lung and couldn't take in enough oxygen. My doctor after a third xray and seeing possible scaring on the right lung, couldn't identify pneumonia as the problem. Because it was the 24th of Dec., she prescribed Biaxin to try to get rid of the issue. It is now the 28th, I have been on the drug for 4 full days and can finally breath better. The pain is also decreasing. I can tough out the metal taste as this is the only side effect I have.
-- By janetgreer | Reply | Private Message me
December 23th
2008
6:09 AM
Wow, thank you for all these comments......... Ive been on Biaxin for 5 days now for bronchitis and sinus infection, but also taking loratadine and premarin and a decongestant. I couldn't figure what was making me so nauseated. And major indigestion... its unreal! I haven't slept in 2 days and last night I heard Christmas music, let it snow, let it snow over and over in my head. No music was playing. So as of today, I'm not taking it anymore. I'm still congested so I guess I have to cal the doctor again. This stuff isn't for me. No metal taste at least. Thanks everyone, at least I know I'm not going nuts.
-- By mary30179 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 18th
2008
4:07 PM
So I just finished a 10 day supply (20 pills) of this stuff. I was prescribed Biaxin twice a day for 10 days to clear up a minor sinus infection. I had no idea that this stuff caused so many issues, but now I know first hand. This medicine gave me pretty bad insomnia. I could fall asleep but would wake up at 2am/3am in the morning and couldn't fall back asleep. Of course lack of sleep, then gave me anxiety and minor depression like I've never had before. I will never take this stuff again. Not to mention, the bad taste that's in your mouth constantly. In retrospect, I'll take a sinus infection anyday over the side effects of this medicine. Maybe it's okay for some people, but I'll never put Biaxin in my body every again. I took my last dose yesterday evening and I've been drinking tons of water ever since to try and get rid of this stuff as soon as possible.
-- By sgsmith2 | Reply | Private Message me
December 13th
2008
3:13 AM
This stuff is DISGUSTING. I hate the taste in my mouth and it seems like if i cough or breath in threw my mouth the taste intensifies. I'm only on day 2!!! I was wondering if the insomnia was from the pills and now I know it is. It's 3am and i don't even feel tired. Last night I took some Nytol to help ease my headache and body aches. Woke up in a major sweat, changed clothes, went back to bed an hour later and continued to sweat. Had crazy dreams about dating Tom Cruise and Nico, the winner of So you think you can dance Canada and spent the evening looking at pics of him on facebook and joining multiple groups for him, like a crazy stalker, lol. And to think, this is only day 2!!! I'm going to lose it. Had diarrhea also today. Oh, and last night had a major meltdown and cried into the bathroom towels when I felt like my boyfriend wasn't being sympathetic to my illness (respiratory infection) even though he has a cracked rib and is in major pain himself. Crying lasted for about 20 mins. I think I'm going to take more Nytol just to try and get to sleep, meeting family members for brunch that i haven't seen for about 20 years, this is going to be interesting... good luck to the rest of you! Oh and I'm super hungry all the time, but hate most of what I eat probably because of this damn taste in my mouth.
-- By mavymoo | Reply | Private Message me
November 30th
2008
10:54 PM
I'm on my seventh day out of 10 with BiaxinXL 500mg for pneumonia. I take 2 pills at supper time and so far so good: only 1 diarrhea 12 hours after the first dose. No metallic taste at all. I do drink a lot of water as is recommended when you have any infection to help your body eliminate it. I sleep well and after only 2 days of treatment my secretions were clearer. I took Advil for the first four days to help me with the side effects of the disease. I take medication exceptionally because,fortunately, I am rarely sick but I will take all of the pills prescribed by my doctor because I don't want to deal with some super resistant bacteria later on.
-- By katherine1111 | Reply | Private Message me
November 30th
2008
4:40 PM
I'm on Biaxin for a respiratory infection as well, the worst side effect by far is the severe insomnia, and crazy dreams I get when I finally DO fall asleep - and the sleep I get isn't restful at all. I also have turned into a "bed tosser" - I toss and turn all night because I can't sleep comfortably in one position all night (I usually fall asleep and wake up in the same position, and maybe turn once a night.) Its like all of a sudden I get sore being in any one position for more than an hour. Drives me nuts.
-- By neecy2k | Reply | Private Message me
November 14th
2008
2:42 PM
I'm on Biaxin for a MRSA staph infection. And I have had the worst anxiety. Heavy breathing and insomnia. I wake up all the time in the middle of the night and in the morning my hands shake and I have so much anxiety related energy. I do not like this medication.
-- By peachespink | Reply | Private Message me
November 12th
2008
8:32 PM
Been taking the generic Clarithromycin for a little over 4 months now. I have Lyme Disease and this drug along with Plaquenil, really helps. With Lyme you feel worse before you can feel any inkling of feeling better Sure it's got some side effects like metallic taste and a few others. I will tell you for me the Lyme symptoms far outweigh the side effects, so I really don't mind the side effects at all. It's all relative. The metallic taste is one of the worst ones.
Of course you have to keep your gut in line with any antibiotic. Probiotics, yogurt, kefir, kombucha all help to do that.
-- By luckeeluke | Reply | Private Message me
October 25th
2008
12:03 AM
My most concerning side effect with this drug is the pretty much constant stabbing and sometimes achy crampy pain all over my body, mostly in my lower abdomen but in legs, arms, and neck. I haven't seen this side-effect so far with other people. I also have insomnia, stomach cramps and bad taste in mouth.
-- By margwen | Reply | Private Message me
October 15th
2008
10:13 PM
I'm on day 1.5, 500MG Biaxin. I've been prescribed this medication for Bronchitis and a sinus infection. I just took my 3rd pill and I feel just fine, I was having some heat type fever flashed just before taking the 3rd pill but it's gone away. I've had some pains in my stomach which turned out to be a my body getting rid of the infection....spent a few minutes on the toilet but seem to be better now. The taste in my mouth is very bad, I woke up in the middle of the night with a watering mouth as if i was going to throw up but seem to be good as of now. I'm feeling better thus far.
-- By b1lucas78 | Reply | Private Message me
October 10th
2008
11:09 AM
I had a great experience with Biaxin. I have chronic fatigue syndrome...took Biaxin for a skin infection...the skin cleared quickly. The only side effect was that I actually slept incredibly well for the first time in years!
-- By jaggy | Reply | Private Message me
October 9th
2008
10:32 PM
I had been diagnosed with strep throat, i could see a lot of white spots covering my tonsils and it was hard to swallow. Doctor said rapid strep test came back weak positive but that he would still give me antibiotic. I've been on Biaxin for 3 days now. I never have heartburn, but i am experiencing it now. Diarrhea. Dry sore throat making it hard to swallow. A ton of pressure in my ears. Also, i woke up this morning and my heart was racing a mile a minute and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest making it hard to breathe. I thought i was just being stupid to look on the internet to see if an antibiotic could cause these kind of side effects. This is ridiculous!! You feel bad and have an infection, go to the doctor to get an antibiotic and then you end up feeling even crappier!!!
-- By pinklady | Reply | Private Message me
October 2th
2008
1:47 AM
To start off i'm a 16 year old male, I had a very bad sinus infection that crept up on me. I left school at 10:00 AM and went to the doctor, she prescribed Biaxin 10 days 500mg a day I took the pill around 12:30 after eating some soup. The first day I took this medication was not "horrible" I was still feverish from the sinus infection and was just generally not feeling well...
By day 2 I was starting to feel not as great about it, I experienced for the first time the "horrible taste" that everyone else seems to experience, and quite frankly it sucked. All day any food I ate would burn through me within a half an hour of eating, I had to use the bathroom constantly and my stomach would hurt between trips. My sinus infection was beginning to clear up at this point, but I just didn't feel like myself, I attributed it to being sick. I went to bed and woke up several times throughout the night, in between I had very vivid dreams, fortunately they were not nightmares.
Day 3 I began to get all teary eyed for no reason, I don't remember the last time I cried so this was kind of confusing to me, I woke up very dehydrated and realized my bed was soaked through with sweat, I still didn't feel like myself and began to research the side effects of Biaxin. My stomach settled for the most part but I had those other symptoms to deal with.
Day 4 I felt normal for the most part, at points in the day I would get extreme vertigo, nausea, stomach pain, intense sweating at odd periods and once again the tearing eyes came back. Got a bad nosebleed during the day, but that was because I was blowing my nose so much. I told my mom that I wanted to stop taking it and she said I still had to (I was on a 10 day pack)
Day 5 Nausea, more extreme sense of vertigo, did not feel like myself, felt dazed and confused, sinus infection has degenerated into a cold, but the cold isn't budging. Stress of life is getting to me a lot more than usual
Day 6 I am really stressed, I keep getting nauseous, cant think straight, constant headaches, dehydration no matter how much water I drink, food goes right through me, overall it's a bad scene, tearing eyes have stopped however, more depressed than usual, later that evening (I took the meds on a full stomach) after I ate dinner I was sitting in bed finishing a paper for school when I was hit by a bout of vertigo and nausea so bad that I couldn't even get to the toilet before I began throwing up, this throwing up opened my nose bleed again so it became difficult to clean up... I told my mom I was done taking the medication at this point.
In review, my taste is severely altered, food doesn't taste as it should, I'm still dizzy (on day 8 now but not taking it anymore) still headache and the vertigo is finally starting to fade. I lost almost an entire week of work at school because I was unable to retain the information in class (im normally a good student).... totally screwed totally stressed and the Biaxin is just making the stress harder to handle... I'd give it a 0 out of 5...
Any questions shoot me an email at - ******
-- By lief | Reply | Private Message me
September 28th
2008
11:09 AM
I was prescribed both Biaxin XL and Tussionex for acute bronchitis. At fist, the side effects were quite mild...drowsiness, "medicine head", some dizziness, however, as the treatment progressed, the side effects became much more severe...heavy sweating at night, insomnia, increased anxiety, depression. I thought I was losing my mind! I have a history of mild anxiety (one anxiety attack in my life due to being sleep deprived for 48 hours), however, during the course of this treatment, it seemed that I had experienced at least 4 or 5 panic/anxiety attacks at precisely the same time every day??? I have never been exposed to either hydrocodone nor a macrolide antibiotic, and have never experienced "mental" side effects from meds in my life.
Has anyone had further testing...allergy testing, blood work? I am going to be talking to my family physician soon, and really want answers. This experience scared the life out of me! Please let me know if anyone has had any viable answers for their ordeals.
-- By jillynb2003 | Reply | Private Message me
September 27th
2008
8:38 PM
my son took biaxin for five days starting about 10 days ago we thought he was schizophrenic till we read about this stuff he seems to be getting better but we will have to see he was hearing voices by his head and scared him he babbles about very weird thoughts all night cant sleep 17 years old his face looks different during episodes he was typing very weird stuff on messenger said he cant stop they make him type very scary drug if your doctor prescribes it run sceaming to another doctor
-- By anon_tsim | Reply | Private Message me
September 26th
2008
11:17 PM
I was recently on Biaxin for Bronchial infection. I have never felt so bad in my life. I was taking a med to get better and began to feel worse. My Whole body was severely sore to the touch. It hurt to even be hugged. I felt upset all the time and extremely irritable. I honestly thought something was seriously wrong with me. I called the Dr. and she said to stop meds it was a side effect, and she told me to drink as much water as possible to flush meds out of system. Was told in 24 hours I should feel better. Horrible experience do not recommend Biaxin.
-- By jlynn3287 | Reply | Private Message me
September 11th
2008
4:01 PM
I was glad to read this, I thought I was crazy. Been taking Biaxin for 3 days for a bad sinus/throat infection, BP today went up to 130/100, took my blood pressure meds (which I had been able to stop taking several months ago) but it just went up on the top to 150/98. My heart is racing and I'm so tired but can't sleep. Severe metallic taste in my mouth. Skin is burning, temperature is 100 and profuse sweating as mentioned above...I'm calling the Dr. now to get something else. Does anyone know how long it takes to get this out of your system?
-- By brak44 | Reply | Private Message me
September 7th
2008
6:49 AM
I went to an on-campus health center and was prescribed Biaxin for a sinus infection. I had never taken it before, but the doctor said that it was the best thing because I might be immune to other antibiotics. That made no sense to me, but I didn't really question it. I just wanted the infection cleared, so I ran to the pharmacy as soon as possible and got the medicine.
First day: Took Biaxin at 9 in the morning. In a hurry, I read the directions wrong and only took one pill. I did fine until 3 pm, when I read the directions and took another pill. I didn't notice any side effects, and nothing really happened. My boyfriend was complaining that I was being irritable though, which I hardly ever am, but I didn't really pay attention to him. I had some stomach pains, which really hurt, but I didn't mark them off as being caused by Biaxin.
Second day (yesterday): Took Biaxin at 9 am, 2 pills this time. I was unable to concentrate all day, but I thought it was probably just the congested head and stuffiness. I went to bed around 12, and could not fall asleep. I was having racing thoughts about stuff that wasn't even real... I felt like I was in another world, like I was a different person. I finally fell asleep around 1, but I kept waking up. I woke up at 3:30 am today, and that's when the real ridiculousness started. I seriously just started crying my eyes out for no reason at all. I am not at all an emotional person. I rarely cry, even when something typically cry-worthy happens. This spell went on for over an hour. I had no idea what was going on, so I looked up "Biaxin depression" on Google, and sure enough there are tons of cases of this happening. How is this drug still on the market?!?!
I was feeling totally out of it, but I had enough coherence to head to the emergency room. I was crying my brains out while walking across campus to my car. For some reason I called my boyfriend, thinking that was smart. I couldn't even talk to him because I was crying so much. He was really confused I'm sure. I got to the ER around 5 am. I couldn't even talk to the receptionist without crying. I don't think I was even understandable. She felt really bad for me though, and when I couldn't find my health insurance card, she said not to worry about it. I only had to pay a ten dollar copay. I was the only patient there, so I got in right away. The doctor was really surprised when I told him about the Biaxin/depression ordeal, so he randomly pulled out his iPhone and looked it up. Weird, but hey... whatever. So he started talking all of this medical stuff, and was really amazed when I knew the name of the bacteria that Biaxin was supposed to kill that I had (plus of looking things up online). He didn't really question anything, probably because I was sobbing randomly... He gave me a prescription for my Augmentin, so maybe that won't be as horrible as this awful Biaxin. Doctors need to know about these very serious side effects. I went to Walgreen's to get my prescription filled, but the system was down, and they couldn't do anything. So, of course I started crying again. I didn't lash out on anyone. I just started flowing randomly. I am still crying at strange intervals...
So, I hope this was long enough to get my point across. Anyone who is prescribed Biaxin, please be aware of the depression you may face, and the severe stomach aches. I have never had any reaction to an antibiotic before, and I have definitely taken my fair share of them. Nothing like this has ever happened. Please take with caution.
-- By violenteggplant | Reply | Private Message me
August 25th
2008
6:56 PM
Also, google Biaxin Heart Attack, Biaxin Anxiety. You will see the countless others who are having the same reactions that we have all had. I was unfortunate enough to have practically every reaction on the insert. My body has never been the same and I still worry about my heart, but the mental effects were debilitating. Here I am two years later and I can't believe how this drug nearly destroyed my life. The countless medical bills - we also had to relocate and lost everything so my husband could move me next to family to help in my recovery. I wish someone would take my case...
-- By jgroup | Reply | Private Message me
August 23th
2008
6:52 AM
I saw an elderly ENT who prescribed Biaxin XL 1000mg/once per day for a severe sinus infection of the ethmoid, maxillay and frontal sinuses. I was not getting any better, in fact I was getting worse. I decided to go for a second opinion and learned that Biaxin is not as wide spectrum of an antibiotic as Augmentin is for sinus infections. The key strains of bacteria are not being obliterated from the Biaxin. MDs who prescribe Biaxin are not staying on top of current literature as Biaxin was commonly prescribed in the 1980s and 1990s.
My incredible side effects to Biaxin XL (including not wiping out the bacteria) include: lingering bad bitter taste, night sweats, insomnia, extreme stomach cramping, constant stomach churning (which kept me up at night), terrible diarrhea, nausea. The only plus side is that was more mentally alert.
If your doctor prescribes Biaxin for sinusitis, leave that doctor immediately and seek help from another practitioner who is more current on medications of choice for treatment.
-- By pxtxrdh | Reply | Private Message me
August 17th
2008
11:19 PM
This is my second day on Biaxin for pneumonia. It is horrible. I hate taking it. The taste in my mouth is horrible. The worst thing is not being able to sleep. I feel like I have taken an upper or something. My eyes won't shut and I watch the hours pass by. I don't feel tired at all and I know my body needs to rest to get better. The other thing that was really bad was the for about two hours after taking it I will sweat and feel hot and then I get the chills. It has happened with all four pills I have taken.
-- By hope123 | Reply | Private Message me
August 9th
2008
3:56 PM
I took biaxin for 10 days in early June for a sinus infection. The side effects I noticed at the time were the yucky taste in my mouth and extreme fatigue. However, I also lost my sense of smell. It's been almost two months, and now I can smell some things, like ground coffee or ammonia, but not the more subtle scents, like flowers, light cologne, etc. At the time I was taking the drug, I discovered I couldn't smell vinegar; now I can smell it faintly. I visited my nurse practitioner yesterday, and she thought it might be a residual effect of the biaxin, but didn't find anything about loss of smell as a side effect. She advised me to wait one more month, and if the sense of smell hasn't returned by then she'll refer me to an ENT specialist. I'm just wondering if anybody else has noticed a loss or change in their sense of smell. (Smell and taste are closely related, so it's logical that it could be a result of the biaxin, since I experienced the yucky taste that so many people complain about.)
-- By selene7 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 18th
2008
8:41 AM
I have had a chronic dry cough for the past 5 years. Now they are saying I have whooping cough. I have been taking Clarithromyn ER TB 500 mg. the generic for Biaxin XL 500 mg. Last night I had to go to the ER. I felt like I was having a heart attack. I could not catch my breath, my left arm was tingling, kind of going numb. Also felt like I might pass out. On the way to the ER I was trembling, and very jittery. I felt very STRANGE!!!!!! The ER said it was just a panic attack. I have never had panic attacks!!! The past few day I have been telling my co-workers how I felt like my throat was closing up. I am calling the doctor today to see about not finishing my last 4 days of the medicine. I am glad I found this site to see that other people have experienced the same symptoms and I am not going crazy.
-- By kmk630 | Reply | Private Message me
June 25th
2008
10:39 AM
Soon after going on Biaxin for an upper respiratory infection, along with Sudafed, I was having SEVERE dreams (normally don't know about my dreams), bordering on Halucinations, then even waking state effects of seemingly startling consequences impending doom or distorted reality... never happened with Sudafed... so either combination or Biaxin
-- By kenb | Reply | Private Message me
June 24th
2008
7:10 AM
Augmentin caused severe retching, vomiting, not being able to swallow the Augmentin, feeling it was stuck half way down my throat, and then after five days vomiting up the Augmentin plus food taken with it. Have finished course 3 days ago but still feeling nauseous, with a bitter taste in my mouth.
-- By izzardanne | Reply | Private Message me
June 11th
2008
5:57 PM
Have pneumonia currently and given generic Biaxin for 10 days. I am only on the second day, but I do currently have a headache (rarely ever get headaches normally). Also, this taste in my mouth is awful, but I can tolerate that alright. I do already feel a measurable difference in the infection in my lungs already so that is good. I am not depressed or anything else (yet). I had a nightmare about an oversize centipede on my bedroom wall. I was convinced it was there. I turned the light on, looking for this thing that in reality, was not there at all. My stomach is fine as I take 4 or 5 probiotics every time I have take a Biaxin tablet. I am also on Prednisone.
-- By jtrover | Reply | Private Message me
June 8th
2008
11:06 AM
Abyone experience excess salivating?? I have all the above symptoms and they are horrible! I felt better before the prescription. I am on 1000 mg once and day, 2000 mg of Amoxicillin once a day and a Prilosec OTC 2x's a day. I'm taking what's called a Prevpac for a stomach bacteria called H Pylori. This has been a 2 year journey to figure out what was causing my GI issues! I had a period of about a month with no stomach issues, BUT, as soon as the Biaxin it started right back up within 20 mins! The taste in my mouth is making me sick to my stomach and I'm trying to decide if I should stop. I'm trying to hang in there because in the long run it will work in my favor, but this is only day #4 and I have 10 more to go! Any suggestions?!
-- By luvmyqts | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 27th
2008
7:32 PM
I was prescribed Biaxin for a sinus infection and I was only able to take it for 3 days (out of a 10 day prescription) because of the ungodly taste it left in my mouth. I couldn't sleep at night because the taste of hot garbage in my mouth would wake me up. I tried chugging water, gargling with Listerine - NOTHING helped. It was so disgusting! I will NEVER take this nasty med again!
-- By mlmitchell29 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 27th
2008
2:29 PM
One week ago I started a 10 day Biaxin 500MG 2x daily for a sinus infection. 4 days after beginning the Biaxin, I started a cough syrup with codeine. I am sleeping deeply at night, no more coughing keeping me awake, have dreams- but not nightmares, but am still tired all day long. No energy at all. My appetite has increased tremendously - which doesn't thrill me! The good news is, NO metallic taste, no stomach problems, no anxiety, etc. I will complete the rx and hope it knocks out the infection. Some are super-sensitive to meds, others just mildly affected.
-- By heydelilah | Reply | Private Message me
March 20th
2008
10:38 PM
My wife and I both on 14-day Biaxin XL for bad flus. We both have an absolutely completely disgusting tastes in our mouths. Have tried everything drinkable & edible for relief to no avail! My wife with some diarrhea, myself some sleeplessness. The worst is this taste! We are both hoping that we can last another 6 days until we finish. Will never take this med again if we can take an alternative!
-- By tbenn | Reply | Private Message me
March 15th
2008
7:32 PM
Hi All
Don't know what to do.. Been daignosed with Pneumonia, completed 7 days of Amoxicillan 500mg and now on day 4 of Clarithromycin 500mg, and 7 day course of Prednisolone 40mg per day.
Like everyone else, the most horrific taste in my mouth tried everything to rid of it. It is Sat night and I am NOT going to take my next dose of Clarithromycin as it is upsetting me so much. I will have to wait until Monday am to speak to my doctor and hopefully he can give me something else. I am still struggling with pneumonia however I will take the risk. The bad taste, and upset tum must be the worst side effects ever what do you all think? The companies surely mus be able to something about this and put us patients out of our misery!!
March 14th
2008
4:51 AM
I have a sinus infection, and my doc gave me biaxin. My first dose didn't affect me, I went to bed as soon as I got home from the urgent care center, I slept well into the afternoon. When it came time to rest, I went to bed at midnight, laid there restlessly, with a very sore throat even more sore than I began with. I grabbed a throat lozenge, fell asleep for 30-45 min, weird dream but I can't remember it well. I woke up with a sore dry throat again, not even tired, frustrated, I decided to take my meds again, not having checked this website first!!! D: now my heart is racing, I'm wide awake, its 4:45 in the morning. I am crying on and off. The pain in my throat has subsided, its still scratchy, and my lymph nodes are very swollen. I can't breathe through my nose and it feels like there is still drainage in the back of my throat. I have no appetite either, I force my self to eat b/c I get stomach pains. I am wondering if I should hold off the biaxin for a couple of days and see if I improve.. because I feel like I'm simply getting worse.
-- By lanara | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
March 1th
2008
12:18 PM
Prescribed for sinus infection/flu; stomach cramps developed, metallic taste, spacey. I'll try some lacto pills (to replicate the good bacteria found in yogurt to protect my stomach. I tried to use hard candy to combat the taste in my mouth to no avail...) Hope everyone feels better soon.
-- By dmatuzak | Reply | Private Message me
February 28th
2008
1:15 PM
I was prescribed Biaxin 500 mg, for bronchitis, to be taken twice a day on 2/26/08. It is now 2/29/08 and I have not had relief from a massive headache which occurred within 2 hours of taking my first dose of Biaxin. And even worse, I still do not have any relief from my original illness. I have had bronchitis many times before and have always been prescribed Azithromycin, which cleared up my infection and I started feeling at least a bit of improvement within 24 hours. Along with the severe headache I am experiencing a bad taste in my mouth that won't go away, as well as sleeplessness, tremors and numbness in my extremities.
-- By jacdobe | Reply | Private Message me
February 12th
2008
11:33 PM
I was on a ten day course of Biaxin for Bronchitis. I also take Wellbutrin (150mg a day). No side effects until the eighth day of my course. I was in class, in the morning, and squatting down talking to a friend. As I got up, I was extremely dizzy (like a drunken dizzy) and seeing double (over/under).
Walked myself to the hospital (across the street), doc suspected a middle ear infection, and shot me up with Gravol, put me to rest for 2 hours. When I got up, I was still seeing double, metallic taste was there also. Got a ride home, and rested more. CT scanned that night with no conclusive evidence of any abnormality. Doc performed a variety of tests...made me walk an imaginary line (Like DUI test) and I kept stumbling to the left side. Had 9 vials of blood taken the next day, they suspect might be something wrong with my blood. Going for an MRI soon. Took 9th day of course, then found this site. Flushed the last days dose. I sure hope it was the Biaxin making me dizzy! Other than that horror, no other side effects.
February 12th
2008
1:06 PM
CRANBERRY JUICE CUTS THE METALLIC TASTE.
I've taken Biaxin a few times and each time my Dr. tells me to drink cranberry juice off and on throughout the day to prevent the metallic taste and it works great for me.
Of course, all of the gastrointestinal and other side effects are a bit harder to manage.
-- By sweethart | Reply | Private Message me
February 11th
2008
12:27 AM
hi,
I was on Biaxin for approximately 6 days, by the 5th day I noticed a lot of pain in my gums, and it was like my gums were receding. I quickly discontinued use and it took like 3 weeks for my gums and teeth to stop hurting again.
It has been probably 6 years since this incident, and gradually year by year and especially now my teeth have been rotting out of my face. I have good oral hygiene, and I am positive that Biaxin has caused this. Unfortunately I can't do anything about it.
Please reconsider before taking these pills!!!!!
February 10th
2008
3:19 PM
Ive been taking Biaxin for 11 days now - about to finish up my 12 day course of the stuff. The doctor gave it to me to treat a staph infection on my leg. Staph infection appears to be going away.
I haven't noticed the metallic or gross taste at all, which is weird, because of so many accounts of it here. I have noticed an increased appetite and really intense gas - sleepiness, lack of motivation, dreaminess, blahness. My dreams have been vivid too, but not nightmares. I just noticed swollen gums today. Its strange that I didn't experience the anxiety that is frequently reported - as I used to have panic attacks and constant anxiety back in the day. I guess a mild restlessness is pervasive.
The main thing is the increased appetite and the gas... But this could be possible tapeworms or parasites as I just got back from Guatemala. Maybe I got off easy with this drug? After reading this, not sure if I want to take the last 2 pills in my possession. hmmm..
February 8th
2008
2:10 PM
I was prescribed Biaxin XL 1000mg x7 days for a possible secondary bronchial infection (I have had the flu and am coughing up beige sputum). I took the medicine for the first time last night. I made sure to drink yogurt along with it and took it with food as I was worried about GI effects. Wow! Within 2 hours I had major episodes/waves of severe nausea, stomach gurgling/hunger. I definitely developed a dry mouth and metallic taste. I became lightheaded (this is still going on the next day) and dizzy. I feel spaced out completely. Last but not least I had a really bad nightmare last night. I do not ever have nightmares!!! I am an RN, so I am not a "crazy" patient having psychosomatic symptoms. I am never taking this drug again unless my very life depends on it. I will take my chances and let my body heal naturally. Awful drug.
-- By bunny777 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 30th
2008
4:00 PM
It is funny to see so many side effects to Biaxin. I am normally very lightweight on any drug, but Biaxin has been awesome. I have been on it one year or Lyme Disease and co-infection treatment and I love this drug, I sleep like a baby, never had bad aftertaste, ever. Chew gum the say if "metal" taste happens. I would recommend this drug in a second. Just wanted to post something positive, because we are all so different.
-- By hadenough | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 30th
2007
11:07 PM
I started taking Biaxin on Dec 21 2007. Started feeling better. But for the last 2 nights I've had trouble being able to sleep. I can't seem to swallow at night. It's made me sick at the stomach prior times I've taken it, but the back of my throat hurts and I have the worst dry mouth ever. I'll be calling my doctor & pharmacist to add to my list of medications I'm allergic too. I thought at first it was just me getting sicker, but not after reading of others having the same problems.
-- By partsguyswife | Reply | Private Message me
December 30th
2007
6:50 PM
I am taking extra strength Sinutab tablets, 1 or 2 per day. The side effect, if caused by this medication seems to make me so tired. I wash the dishes, am played out. Make up my bed, am played out. Go downstairs and back up, am played out. My breathing seems to be natural. I walk for 30 minutes or more some days and I am no more tired at the end of the walk than I was after washing the dishes. Is it the Sinus tablets or is there something else
that is my problem?
December 26th
2007
11:46 PM
I felt the same as many of you, a little heart fluttering, never have this usually with any other medications. Nervousness, but also could be caused by reading too much about the medication, etc. I felt very tired, again could be caused by sinus infection, but very lethargic, couldn't turn off brain as someone mentioned above, very good analogy, exactly how I felt. The taste is unbearable alone and then I am not sure if this is connected, but I discover a bump on the back of my tongue, which made me feel funny swallowing, after taking medication for 3 days, and called pharmacy, b/c of symptom , they told me to lay off of it, horrible feelings!
-- By kaleidesprout | Reply | Private Message me
December 13th
2007
4:20 AM
I've been on Biaxin for bronchitis for 5 days now, and I've been noticing this DISGUSTING taste in my mouth. It never crossed my mind until about 5 minutes ago that it could be from this antibiotic and now I see that I'm not the only one. This taste is horrible !
-- By collz516 | Reply | Private Message me
November 7th
2007
10:31 PM
I've been on Biaxin for bronchitis for four days now, following a trip to the ER for breathing problems. I thought it was allergies. The first two days weren't too bad except for the extreme thirst and not being able to sleep (and the gas). If I happened to go to sleep I would have weird dreams and wake up again. I don't know if was the Biaxin or the hydrocodone cough syrup. With the third day, I couldn't think straight and I couldn't remember words. Could be lack of sleep, I guess. Conversations were difficult. I felt spacey. At the same time, I felt like I was on fast-forward: hurry up, hurry up, gotta go, gotta go, gotta get it done, faster, faster! This is the fourth day. I'm still on fast-forward and still dizzy and spacey. My blood pressure is up and my heart rate is down. My pulse is 55. It's time for another dose, but I'm not taking it. In fact, I'm going off all my meds except the blood pressure pills in case it's a drug interaction that's not mentioned. I'll call my own doctor in the morning and talk to him. I trust him more than the anonymous ER doc.
-- By sweetdonna926 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
November 4th
2007
8:20 AM
Help! Is there anything I can do to stop this bad taste in my mouth??? Like take with a teaspoon of honey or (even bleach may taste better jk) to coat it while in my stomach? thanks
-- By harosen1 | Reply | Private Message me
October 29th
2007
6:05 PM
Headache, nausea, terrible taste in the mouth, constipation and stomach pain. But by far the taste and headache the worst. 500mg tablets two times daily. I feel almost as bad as I did before taking the medicine from all the side effects. My throat infection is gone but I still feel terrible.
-- By klangier | Reply | Private Message me
October 17th
2007
6:34 AM
-Unable to sleep
-Awful taste ALL THE TIME
-Nausea
-Dizziness
-Sensitivity to light, and sound
I have an upper respiratory infection, I'm unsure if the Nausea, and Dizziness have something to do with that, but I've taken this stuff before, not the 500Mg, and have never had the nausea, and restless night. My eyes are extremely sensitive, as well, after only 2 1/2 days
October 6th
2007
3:28 PM
Biaxin Side affects were mild for the first four weeks. I've recently experience fast heart rate, headache, pins and needles in feet and hands, tremors in hands and the medicine isn't working on the infection. I will consult my doctor about stopping the use. The first four weeks were actually pleasant. No real side affects. I would take this drug again but only for a short duration.
-- By mandee32 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 29th
2008
1:44 PM
I was so glad to find this. Since insomnia is not listed as a usual side-effect, I had no idea why I could not sleep. When I saw the entries and called the pharmacist, she verified it for me. I have been on 500 mg twice a day for a week and I have another week to go. I originally had a bad cold for 2 weeks which developed into a seriuos sinus infection. Amoxicillan did not work and I cannot take sulfa antibiotics or Cipro so I think I am stuck with it for another week, but have called to ask the Doctor for something to help me sleep until then. I have been so tired and worn out probably due to lack of sleep. And I agree that taste in my mouth, especially in the morning, is awful. I am also still congested but it is better than before.
-- By cgl0213 | Reply | Private Message me