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What Causes Abdominal Pain After Taking Clarithromycin?

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Posted on Fri, 16 Sep 2016
Question: My husband is very ill we both took clarithromcin er and finished the dosage yesterday. We both had some stomach pain under the breast I'm left, as his got worse he is very ill stomach pain and when I give him XXXXXXX selzer he belched many times and loud . I also gave him Zantac with the same result! He is in bed in great distress. XXXX. YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Recommendations:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am sorry to hear that your husband is having stomach pain.

Clarithromycin can be hard on the stomach. Regardless of the belching, he should consider taking Zantac 150 mg twice a day for at least 2 weeks. He may have gastritis or lower esophageal irritation from acid that resulted from taking the antibiotic. It may take a several days to get it under control.

However, if he is having severe pain, or black tarry stools, or bloody stools, then he should go to the ER to be evaluated. Be sure to let them know that this pain followed Clarithromycin or he may end up with an unnecessary cardiac evaluation.

Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Abdominal Pain After Taking Clarithromycin?

Brief Answer: Recommendations: Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I am sorry to hear that your husband is having stomach pain. Clarithromycin can be hard on the stomach. Regardless of the belching, he should consider taking Zantac 150 mg twice a day for at least 2 weeks. He may have gastritis or lower esophageal irritation from acid that resulted from taking the antibiotic. It may take a several days to get it under control. However, if he is having severe pain, or black tarry stools, or bloody stools, then he should go to the ER to be evaluated. Be sure to let them know that this pain followed Clarithromycin or he may end up with an unnecessary cardiac evaluation. Please let me know if I can provide further information.