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Original poster

Clarithromycin

36 replies

emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:13

So last night I took clarithromycin at 4pm- I have pneumonia, doctor called me and I said I took it at 4pm will I need to wait until tomorrow now to take it and she said no ideally I need 6 hours apart so take at 10/11pm - I took at 11:20pm and I've just googled (I know I shouldn't have) but it says under no circumstances should this be taken anything less than 8 hours!! I feel hideously sick and have an awful taste in my mouth. Have I overdosed? Sorry if this sounds irrational but I am worried now as google says never to take less than 8 hours and preferably 12!

OP posts:
Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:17

Really worried 😫 maybe the doctor thought I was taking a few times a day??? But seems clarithromycin is only take twice a day

OP posts:
crazyBadger · 04/12/2023 07:23

I finished a course of these for bronchitis like you I squeezed 2 in the first day.

The doc told me they are quite strong drugs and will probably make me feel like absolute crap for the first 3 day.... And they did.

Did they not warn you? The doc was very clear with me

Quinque · 04/12/2023 07:25

I've been prescribed this before for pneumonia and bronchitis, usually I've been told to take two doses of anti biotic on the first day to get it working as soon as possible. I often felt sick with pneumonia as well, because of the horrible phlegm i was coughing up. I expect your doctor knows more about your health than Dr Google, so I really wouldn't worry. I hope you feel better soon. 💐💐

Tittyfilarious81 · 04/12/2023 07:27

@emilylouisex1 I usually have to have clarithromycin because of penicillin allergies and I've had them 6 hours apart before and been fine . Try not to worry they can make you feel unwell .

MiniMaxi · 04/12/2023 07:27

I can’t comment on how far apart you took them but the disgusting taste is normal!

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:28

crazyBadger · 04/12/2023 07:23

I finished a course of these for bronchitis like you I squeezed 2 in the first day.

The doc told me they are quite strong drugs and will probably make me feel like absolute crap for the first 3 day.... And they did.

Did they not warn you? The doc was very clear with me

They didn't tell me anything about side effects, I've took clarithromycin before but never had side effects, I'm just worried because of the short interval that I took it and how terrible I feel albeit I have pneumonia but I didn't feel like vomiting all over the place with it before 😂😫

OP posts:
Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:30

Quinque · 04/12/2023 07:25

I've been prescribed this before for pneumonia and bronchitis, usually I've been told to take two doses of anti biotic on the first day to get it working as soon as possible. I often felt sick with pneumonia as well, because of the horrible phlegm i was coughing up. I expect your doctor knows more about your health than Dr Google, so I really wouldn't worry. I hope you feel better soon. 💐💐

Thank you! I will see the wheezing is not as loud and crackly as it was yesterday! Thank goodness but oh the body and chest pain😫😭 can't wait to feel better

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BoobsOnTheChristmasTree · 04/12/2023 07:35

Oh god the side effects from clarithromycin were so bad that I had to stop taking it. Disgusting taste was the least of them! The main problem I had was that it made my heart race so that I literally didn't sleep for 72 hours, I just lay in bed for 3 nights completely wired and wide awake. Not great as a single parent with a toddler 😬

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 04/12/2023 07:35

What dose? 250mg or 500mg? What does it say on the dispensing label? An early dose is unlikely to be a big problem, and those side effects are common.

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:41

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 04/12/2023 07:35

What dose? 250mg or 500mg? What does it say on the dispensing label? An early dose is unlikely to be a big problem, and those side effects are common.

500mg and I've took before with no issues, usually I do space 12 hours apart but because I took late yesterday and doc said to take around 11 I did 🤷🏻‍♀️ was an out of hours gp though so I worry they thought I was taking a few times a day

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summerlovingvibes · 04/12/2023 07:47

Don't worrry about having over-dosed, these are often given in quick succession at the start but can make people feel very unwell. However they are fighting the pneumonia infection which is far worse if left un-treated than the side effects.
From now on just try and space them 122 hourly, if 11pm at night is a little late for you try to edge it forward each dose by half hour or so.
A one off quick succession dose won't do any long term harm.

Hope you feel better soon!

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 07:52

summerlovingvibes · 04/12/2023 07:47

Don't worrry about having over-dosed, these are often given in quick succession at the start but can make people feel very unwell. However they are fighting the pneumonia infection which is far worse if left un-treated than the side effects.
From now on just try and space them 122 hourly, if 11pm at night is a little late for you try to edge it forward each dose by half hour or so.
A one off quick succession dose won't do any long term harm.

Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you! I am planning to take my first dose today around 9am and then will try and take the next around 9/10ish will that be ok?

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summerlovingvibes · 04/12/2023 08:02

Yes that will be fine. I'd do 10am though to help minimise any side effects from taking it too soon from the last.

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 08:15

summerlovingvibes · 04/12/2023 08:02

Yes that will be fine. I'd do 10am though to help minimise any side effects from taking it too soon from the last.

Okay il do 10am, thanks! ☺️

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worldwidetravel2017 · 04/12/2023 09:10

My body hated this medicine

You can request anti sickness tablets to take alongside it

They helped me

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 09:26

worldwidetravel2017 · 04/12/2023 09:10

My body hated this medicine

You can request anti sickness tablets to take alongside it

They helped me

I think I'm just gonna power through it! I hate taking medicine as it is, it definitely is a sicky one though 🥲

OP posts:
worldwidetravel2017 · 04/12/2023 10:18

emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 09:26

I think I'm just gonna power through it! I hate taking medicine as it is, it definitely is a sicky one though 🥲

Show quote history

They are such big chunky yucky tablets

MaloneMeadow · 04/12/2023 14:07

You haven’t overdosed - those are just the normal side effects I’m afraid! DD lived off of anti nausea pills when she was on it and constantly had to be sucking a mint to try and keep the bad taste in her mouth at bay. Awful stuff!!

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 16:08

MaloneMeadow · 04/12/2023 14:07

You haven’t overdosed - those are just the normal side effects I’m afraid! DD lived off of anti nausea pills when she was on it and constantly had to be sucking a mint to try and keep the bad taste in her mouth at bay. Awful stuff!!

Thanks, how long does it take to get better from pneumonia, essentially it has been 24 hours since I started the anti biotics and I feel like my wheeze is actually worse today, hopefully in a few days it reduces 😴

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MaloneMeadow · 04/12/2023 16:41

emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 16:08

Thanks, how long does it take to get better from pneumonia, essentially it has been 24 hours since I started the anti biotics and I feel like my wheeze is actually worse today, hopefully in a few days it reduces 😴

Show quote history

@emilylouisex1 Can’t advise on that one I’m afraid as DD had it for a skin infection. Definitely worth consulting your doctor if
you’re concerned about things x

worldwidetravel2017 · 04/12/2023 17:12

The little anti sickness pills make it so much easier to tolerate

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 17:23

worldwidetravel2017 · 04/12/2023 17:12

The little anti sickness pills make it so much easier to tolerate

I'm really so much worse😭 breathing and all I can hear is loud pitch noises, I feel like I'm barely breathing and I have such bad chest pain. Is this normal? I'm tempted to go hospital but idk if anti biotics would have kicked in as it's only been 24 hours

OP posts:
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 04/12/2023 17:29

If you’re feeling worse, ring 111. You might need IV antibiotics.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 04/12/2023 17:31

Do you have a pulse oximeter?

Original poster
emilylouisex1 · 04/12/2023 17:34

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 04/12/2023 17:31

Do you have a pulse oximeter?

Yes it says my oxygen is 98 which is perfect but I feel so so so breathless

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