Erythromycin is the work of the devil! Advice please!

[JammyDodgersandPeas]

I'm on dose 2 of a week's worth of erythromycin to treat a chest infection and I feel utterly vile. The nausea on top of a very rattly chest is seriously not fun. I'm going to ring the GP in the morning to see if I can get an alternative but do I need to take the next two doses tonight and in the morning?

Don't want to contribute to antibiotic resistance but I feel more ill than I did before!

Ride it out if you can. Believe me, the alternative is usually doxycycline and if you think you feel sick now... I swear I threw up so many times, I though my stomach would turn inside out.

It is truly devilish. I puke non stop if I take it. Every 10 years or so I get talked into trying it again for tonsillitis, and I end up even sicker. Clarithromycin works for me with no vomiting.

So sorry you're going through this OP. I was prescribed erythromycin for my awful acne about 10 years ago and I still remember how horrendous it was. I think I managed 3 tablets before I had to stop and ask for something else.

I was throwing up nonstop, but even worse than that was an awful feeling of doom. I honestly thought the world was ending, it was so horrible. Nothing has ever affected me like that before or since and, needless to say, I refuse to take it again. It's on my notes now but I always make sure to mention it anyway!

I hope you get it sorted

I was the same, no vomiting but the most awful feelings of doom and depression. Horrible feeling, contacted my GP and was told to immediately stop taking them. Usually prescribed amoxicillin now if necessary.

At least it’s not Metronidazole.

with a -cillin allergy erythromycin is the default so I’ve taken it many times in my life. It’s not candy, but honestly, i’d rate it fairly low on the scale of unpleasant drugs I’ve had to take.

It’s awful stuff, but my GP’s go-to for me as penicillin allergy. The nausea is the worst. I treat it like I did morning sickness by eating bland food little and often.

Metronidazole also known by the lovely name, Flagyl. The bitterness!
Now that's not medicine @Ponderingwindow . That's the devil's poop

Yes, you need to keep on taking it until you get a different prescription.

I am allergic to penicillin and can't take anything else when the need arises. I drink loads of water - gallons, and gut it out.

I'm also allergic to it. Made my face swell up and my eyes would barely open properly 😒 Now I just take amoxycillin for everything mostly!

That's what happened to me when I took amoxycillin so I've aways had erythromycin instead Fabulous stuff.

Coming back to update, thanks so much for the advice. I spoke to my GP who reissued the prescription for Clarithromycin instead which is a million times better - and I'm actually feeling much healthier already. Thanks!

I was given amoxicillin antibiotics for my awful cough and chest infection with no after affects.

@GingerScallop I prefer Metronidazole. Never have any side effects, barely know I'm taking it.

Do have to be strict about no alcohol though. It reacts badly with any alcohol at all. Even a chocolate liquer is enough to have you praying to the porcelain gods.