Clarithromycin and paresthesia?

[Sparkywoo]

Just to add to my current full blown anxiety I have a new challenge. Currently starting the last day in a 7 day course of 500mg Clarithromycin. Two days ago felt a tingling in my left cheek, like a bit of that scratchy insulation was there or something, but nothing visible. Feeling has spread slightly and has progressively become more sore. Both cheeks now feel like they’re on fire. My brain clearly tells me I have a temperature and this is the start of Covid 19 but it’s not. I feel otherwise well. Have struggled to find definite info re this online just wondered if anyone else had experienced it?

[Spacecat1]

Have you checked for Bells palsy. My dad had it and had similar type symptoms. Ring gp see what he says

[Julie14]

Hi i was on Clarithromycin & experienced some awful side effects . My GP has said im allergic & im not to be prescribed this in future so when i get admitted to hospital (which i often do due to exasperations) i inform them not to give me this. I hope you feel better soon & i think you need to see your GP to discuss this.

[Sparkywoo in reply to Julie14]

I think I need to speak to my dr too. Worryingly I can’t take penicillin as I’m allergic to it. Feels like I might be running out of options 😬

[sampato]

Did this end up going away? my wife has had a reaction to Clarithromycin and has pins and needles and numbness all up her arms and legs, been 3 days now since stopping

[Sparkywoo]

It did. I think it was part of my overall anxiety. I really would get your wife to speak to a pharmacist or GP To double check

[SomersetWife]

Did these facial symptoms resolve? I had Clarithromycin for the first time in May (during lockdown) for a suspected tooth problem. Before starting them I had localised pain in lower jaw, by the time I had finished, I had stinging, burning in face and temple, now I am getting a creeping, tingling sensation, head pain and other symptoms which led my gGP to put me on high dose steroids for suspected Giant Cell Arteritis, this has now been ruled out and i am trying to get off the steroids currently. Dentist, Doctor and Rheumatologist all po-pooed the idea of Clarithromycin being the cause- but I’m still stuck with it and bad tinnitus too. Any feedback gratefully received!

[Sparkywoo in reply to SomersetWife]

They did. I’ve had to take Clarithromycin since and not had the same issues. I think maybe it was just my body reacting to a new drug. I hope you find an answer

[SomersetWife]

Thank you- glad you’ve been able to take Clarithromycin again without further problems.