Erythromycin - spaced out, dizziness & stomach pain

[TerminalAtrocity]

I have been taking Erythromycin for a throat infection since Tuesday afternoon. Last night I had horrible stomach pains and this morning I feel really spaced out and dizzy. It's taken me ages just to type this post.

Is this a normal side effect? I'm not sure what to do. I daren't stop taking them in case the infection kicks in again but I feel horrible. Really weird.

Any ideas? I haven't called GP yet, DD2 asleep on my knee and I don't want to wake her.

Erythromycin can indeed give you stomach pain/upset and diarrhoea - not so sure about the dizziness though. I suggest calling the GP and see if they would consier changing your AB. Be warned though, they might not - erythro may be the best thing for your infection if you can bear it.

Hope you feel better soon.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that may body can't tolerate.

Sounds like you need to call your GP. Don't mean to worry you too much but I get your symptoms followed by throwing up constantly - like every few minutes, followed by dry heaving when my stomach is empty

Thanks poledra. I can power through as long as they're normal-ish side effects. I'm home alone with the DDs and was getting a bit worried about the spaced out feeling.

It's really strange and not at all pleasant. Will call the GP when DD2 wakes.

Xposts nbee thanks

I do feel quite nauseous but I've not eaten today (throat so sore when I swallow). I'm not sure how much longer I need to take them for. Maybe until tomorrow night? I'm not sure.

I had a very unhappy experience of erythromycin - prescribed following birth of DD1 for infected stitches. Caused me extreme nausea and sickness and certainly remember the 'dry heaving' mentioned by nbee84 which wasn't ideal when feeling very sore...... I will NEVER take them again!

DazR - exactly how I feel and if the doctor ever needs to prescribe me antibiotics for anything I ALWAYS mention my reaction to erythromycin!

I have the same thing but worse - even lying flat, was unable to lift my hand without it shaking.

i also cant take this antibiotic, same as you dizzy, horrific stomach pains to the point of not being able to move and then it makes me throw up to the point of dry heaving, i think its a common one to make people react and i ALWAYS say i am allergic to it, the dentist wanted to give it to me the other week and i said NOOO, have had it twice, same reactions both times, never again!

It doesn't agree with me either. But i'm allurgic to penicillin too so it's pretty much my only option if i'm really poorly. Makes me very very sick

It has never made me sick, but following a really bad chest infection I had these. They brought me out in little red pimple spots, very tiny.
You def need to see your gp and he/she will change them for others.

Yep, makes me sick as a dog. Phone your GP and explain, he'll probably change it for another one.

I've finished the course of erythromycin now but still keep getting the dizzy, spaced out feeling. Maybe it's just me. I am allergic to amoxicillin so I'm not sure if this means erythromycin is my only option? I will definitely mention this reaction to my GP next time I go.

Thanks everyone

I am allergic to penicillin and erythromycin. If I need an anti biotic I take a quinolone antibiotic and strangely enough I'm all right with them.

There is always an alternative, it's just that generally the alternative is more expensive.

D

aha! Yes, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks D!

I found out the hard way I was allergic to Erythromycin, and since then penicillin. Had never had a problem with penicillin before. :(

For those who don't tolerate erythromycin, especially Children, next time when prescribed erythromycin insist on clarithromycin. This is much better tolerated and only needs to be taken twice in 24 hours and as effective and possibly more effective (and more expensive).