Biaxin is a macrolide antibiotic most frequently prescribed to treat bacterial infections of the skin and lungs. In some cases, it may be used to help treat peptic ulcers. As with any other medication, Biaxin comes with its own set of side effects, some more serious than others.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects are generally not a risk to your health and go away as treatment progresses. These include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pain or upset, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; discoloration of your teeth, a mild skin rash and for women, vaginal discharge. Headaches are also common, as is dizziness, confusion and anxiety. The medication may also leave an unpleasant taste.
Serious Side Effects
Consult a doctor when you begin experiencing some of the more serious side effects: seizures, fainting and heart palpitations. Hallucinations may occur, along with an irregular heart rhythm. Watery and bloody diarrhea have also been reported by patients. This side effect may last long after you discontinue Biaxin, according to eMedTV.com. Diabetics must be especially vigilant, as low blood sugar is a serious side effect of this drug for them.
Liver Damage
Biaxin has the potential to cause liver damage, another serious side effect that must be reported immediately. Initial warning signs include jaundice, a condition causing a yellowing of your eyes and skin. This is accompanied by nausea, darkened urine and light-colored stools. You may also have pain in your upper-right abdominal area. To check for liver damage, your doctor performs a blood test to determine if your liver enzymes are elevated--another indication of liver damage.
Postmarketing Experience Side Effects
As stated by eMedTV.com, many side effects listed with a medication are determined during its clinical trial. In some cases, though, other side effects are reported once the medication has been approved and released for public use, otherwise known as the postmarketing experience. These include thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth), loss of appetite, dizziness, a change in your sense of smell, nightmares, hearing loss and a low white blood cell count.
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