Amoxicillin for ear infection in adults

Common brand names: Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods.

Tetracycline can interfere with the activity of folic acid , potassium , and vitamin B2 , vitamin B6 , vitamin B12 , vitamin C , and vitamin K .

This is generally not a problem when taking tetracycline for two weeks or less.

People taking tetracycline for longer than two weeks should ask their doctor about vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Taking 500 mg

vitamin

Taking large amounts of niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 , can suppress inflammation in the body.

According to numerous preliminary reports, niacinamide, given in combination with tetracycline or minocycline , may be effective against bullous pemphigoid, a benign, autoimmune blistering disease of the skin.

Preliminary evidence also suggests a similar beneficial interaction may exist between tetracycline and niacinamide in the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis .

Tetracycline can interfere with the activity of folic acid , potassium , and vitamin B2 , vitamin B6 , vitamin B12 , vitamin C , and vitamin K .

This is generally not a problem when taking tetracycline for two weeks or less. People taking tetracycline for longer than two weeks should ask their doctor about vitamin and mineral supplementation. Taking 500 mg vitamin C simultaneously with tetracycline was shown to increase blood levels of tetracycline in one study.

Taking large amounts of niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 , can suppress inflammation in the body.

According to numerous preliminary reports, niacinamide, given in combination with tetracycline or minocycline , may be effective against bullous pemphigoid, a benign, autoimmune blistering disease of the skin. Preliminary evidence also suggests a similar beneficial interaction may exist between tetracycline and niacinamide in the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis . Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including calcium , carbohydrates, beta-carotene , fats, folic acid , iron , magnesium , potassium , sodium, and vitamin A , vitamin B12 , vitamin D , and vitamin K .

Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies.

It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more

than

Tetracycline can interfere with the activity of folic acid , potassium , and vitamin B2 , vitamin B6 , vitamin B12 , vitamin C , and vitamin K . This is generally not a problem when taking tetracycline for two weeks or less. People taking tetracycline for longer than two weeks should ask their doctor about vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Taking 500 mg vitamin C simultaneously with tetracycline was shown to increase blood levels of tetracycline in one study.

Several cases of excessive bleeding have been reported in people who take antibiotics.

This side effect may be the result of reduced vitamin K activity and/or reduced vitamin K production by bacteria in the colon. One study showed that people who had taken broad-spectrum antibiotics had lower liver concentrations of vitamin K2 (menaquinone), though vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) levels remained normal.

Several antibiotics appear to exert a strong effect on vitamin K activity, while others may not have any effect. Therefore, one should refer to a specific antibiotic for information on whether it interacts with vitamin K.

Doctors of natural medicine sometimes recommend vitamin K supplementation to people taking antibiotics.

Additional research is needed to determine whether the amount of vitamin K1 found in some multivitamins is sufficient to prevent antibiotic-induced bleeding. Moreover, most multivitamins do not contain vitamin K. A common side effect of antibiotics is diarrhea , which may be caused by the elimination of beneficial bacteria normally found in the colon.

A nonpathogenic yeast known as Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown in two double-blind studies to decrease frequency of diarrhea in people taking amoxicillin as well as other penicillin-type drugs compared to placebo. There were overall few people in these studies using amoxicillin specifically, so there is no definitive proof that Saccharomyces boulardii will be beneficial for everyone when it is combined with amoxicillin.

The studies used 1 gram of Saccharomyces boulardii per day. A separate double-blind study found that taking a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, two normal gut bacteria, with amoxicillin did not protect children from developing diarrhea.

The authors of the study point out some problems such as the parents' inability to consistently define diarrhea. However, at this time, it is unknown if lactobacillus products will reduce diarrhea due to amoxicillin.

Controlled studies have shown that taking other probiotic microorganisms—such as Lactobacillus casei , Bifidobacterium longum , or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG —also helps prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

The diarrhea experienced by some people who take antibiotics also might be due to an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile , which causes a disease known as pseudomembranous colitis. Controlled studies have shown that supplementation with harmless yeast—such as Saccharomyces boulardii or Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's or brewer's yeast)—helps prevent recurrence of this infection.

Treatment with antibiotics also commonly leads to an overgrowth of yeast (Candida albicans) in the vagina ( candida vaginitis ) and the intestines (sometimes referred to as "dysbiosis"). Controlled studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus might prevent candida vaginitis.

Tooth discoloration is a side effect of minocycline observed primarily in young children, but it may occur in adults as well.

Vitamin C supplementation may prevent staining in adults taking minocycline.

A common side effect of antibiotics is diarrhea , which may be caused by the elimination of beneficial bacteria normally found in the colon. A nonpathogenic yeast known as Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown in two double-blind studies to decrease frequency of diarrhea in people taking amoxicillin as well as other penicillin-type drugs compared to placebo. There were overall few people in these

studies

The studies used 1 gram of Saccharomyces boulardii per day.

A separate double-blind study found that taking a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, two normal gut bacteria, with amoxicillin did not protect children from developing diarrhea. The authors of the study point out some problems such as the parents' inability to consistently define diarrhea.

However, at this time, it is unknown if amoxicillin & potassium clavulanate lactobacillus products will reduce diarrhea due to amoxicillin.

Controlled studies have shown that taking other probiotic microorganisms—such as Lactobacillus casei or Bifidobacterium longum —also helps prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

The diarrhea experienced by some people who take antibiotics also might be due to an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile , which causes a disease known as pseudomembranous colitis. Controlled studies have shown that supplementation with harmless yeast—such as Saccharomyces boulardii or Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's or brewer's yeast)—helps prevent recurrence of this infection.

In one study, taking 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii twice daily enhanced the effectiveness of the antibiotic vancomycin in preventing recurrent clostridium infection. Therefore, people taking antibiotics who later develop diarrhea might benefit from supplementing with saccharomyces organisms.

Treatment with antibiotics also commonly leads to an overgrowth of yeast (Candida albicans) in the vagina ( candida vaginitis ) and the intestines (sometimes referred to as "dysbiosis").

Controlled studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus might prevent candida vaginitis. When taken with amoxicillin, bromelain was shown to increase absorption of amoxicillin in humans.

When 80 mg of bromelain was taken together with amoxicillin and tetracycline , blood levels of both drugs increased, though how bromelain acts on drug metabolism remains unknown.

An older report found bromelain also increased the actions of other antibiotics, including penicillin, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin , in treating a variety of infections. In that trial, 22 out of 23 people who had previously not responded to these antibiotics did so after adding bromelain taken four times per day. Doctors will sometimes prescribe enough bromelain to equal 2,400 gelatin dissolving units (listed as GDU on labels) per day.

This amount would equal approximately 3,600 MCU (milk clotting units), another common measure of bromelain activity. Khat (Catha edulis) is an herb found in East Africa and Yemen that has recently been imported into the United States. Studies have shown that chewing khat significantly reduces the absorption of ampicillin, which might reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic.

Therefore, people taking ampicillin should avoid herbal products that contain khat.

Taking calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc at the same time as minocycline can decrease the absorption of both the drug and the mineral.

Therefore, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc supplements, if used, should be taken an hour before or after the drug. Taking calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc at the same time as minocycline can decrease the absorption of both the drug and the mineral.

Therefore, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc supplements, if used, should be taken an hour before or after the drug. Berberine is a chemical extracted from goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), which has antibacterial activity. However, one double-blind study found that 100 mg berberine given with tetracycline (a drug closely related to doxycycline) reduced the efficacy of tetracycline in people with cholera. In that trial, berberine may have decreased tetracycline absorption.

Another double-blind trial found that berberine neither improved nor interfered with tetracycline effectiveness in cholera patients. Therefore, it remains unclear whether a significant interaction between berberine-containing herbs and doxycycline and related drugs exists. Several cases of excessive bleeding have been reported in people who take antibiotics.

This side effect may be the result of reduced vitamin K activity and/or reduced vitamin K production by bacteria in the colon. One study showed that people who had taken broad-spectrum antibiotics had lower liver concentrations of vitamin K2 (menaquinone), though vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) levels remained normal. Several antibiotics appear to exert a strong effect on vitamin K activity, while others may not have any effect.

Therefore, one should refer to a specific antibiotic for information on whether it interacts with vitamin K.

Doctors of natural medicine sometimes recommend vitamin K supplementation to people taking antibiotics. Additional research is needed to determine whether the amount of vitamin K1 found in some multivitamins is sufficient to prevent antibiotic-induced bleeding.

Moreover, most multivitamins do not contain vitamin K. Antibiotics For Animals May Work For You, But Experts Say It's A Terrible Idea 04:28. Copy the code below to embed the WBUR audio player on your site. When phlegm invades Andy Shecktor’s face or chest, he says he knows if the culprit is a bacterial infection. “I get a sinus infection that requires antibiotics and a doc at least once a year.” But on these occasions, Shecktor, a 63-year-old man from Berwick, Pennsylvania, doesn’t go see a doctor, and he doesn’t get a prescription for antibiotics.

Instead, he pulls out a stash of medicine from his fridge that is clearly marked — not for human consumption.

“The penicillin used for fish and that sort of thing are actually the exact same pills [as antibiotics for humans],” Shecktor

says

So, he figures, if he has a bacterial infection, why not just take these instead of going through a doctor? There are lots of reasons you shouldn't, medical professionals and researchers say.

For one, medications are often formulated specifically for certain animals — though not always — and may not work in humans or even in other animal species, says Claire Fellman, a veterinary pharmacologist at Tufts University. Plus, she says, “There can be dangerous contaminants. And misuse of antibiotics or other medications can result in serious illness or breed resistance.” Concerns about safety haven’t stopped people like Shecktor, who find acquiring antibiotics through conventional means — a doctor’s visit and a prescription — too troublesome.

“It’s not so much the cost as the availability,” Shecktor says. “It’s just the way the medical industry is these days.

It’s tough to even see a doctor.” About 15 years ago, Shecktor says doctors in his area began tightening their use of antibiotics in an effort to curb the growth of bacteria that no longer respond to most antibiotic treatment. Shecktor says he knows that's important — antibiotic resistance costs more than 35,000 Americans their lives each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I had bronchitis and a sinus infection, and it was absolutely terrible.” Shecktor went to the doctor’s office, but he says they wouldn’t prescribe him antibiotics. They told to come back the following week if he was still sick, but Shecktor wasn’t going to wait that long.

At home, Shecktor already had bottles of penicillin. He and his wife care for a “persnickety” aging feline named Muffy or — sometimes — Stuffy Tiger. They also have a large rabbit named Cinnabon, two guinea pigs, and they used to have a fish. The antibiotics were originally for the fish, but Shecktor used them on the guinea pigs once when they got sick, too.

Then, hacking with a chest infection, he took them himself. Shecktor says he did research online about how to use them, and they worked.

Now, he keeps fish antibiotics in his fridge all the time. “I’ve had great success with it actually,” he says.

Shecktor doesn’t believe personal use of antibiotics is a significant factor in the growth of antibiotic resistance. Instead, he blames the mass use of antibiotics in agriculture for that problem. “It’s big agriculture, you know, cramming too many chickens, jamming in your pigs and your cows into small spaces then feeding them antibiotics," he says."Nine million, billion times as much of this same medication is being given to cows and other farm animals every day,” he says.

“That’s the problem.” It's hard to know for certain how many people take antibiotics made for animals, but in this part of rural Pennsylvania, Shecktor says there are plenty of residents who would rather use cheap, amoxicillin trihydrate capsules easy-to-obtain veterinary medications than go to a physician.

“A lot of people, especially in the poorest sections and on the farms, have been using [veterinary medications] for a long time,” he says.

In 2002, three Army doctors wrote to the New England Journal of

Medicine

They described one serviceman who recounted his purchase of antibiotics from the fish aisle of a local pet store.

“He went on to explain that this over-the-counter source of antibiotics is common knowledge among all branches of the American Special Forces,” they wrote. “I have to admit that I, too, have used veterinary drugs on myself in the past,” says Sam Telford, an infectious disease researcher at Tufts University.

“I didn’t go to the doctor because it’s a pain.” Telford emphasizes that this is a bad idea, and he doesn't think anyone -- including himself — should be doing it.

“This is one of those 'do as I say, not as I do things,'" Telford says. "Indiscriminate use of antibiotics not under the supervision of a physician is a threat." Telford says he’s only used animal doxycycline, a strong antibiotic, because he knows that this antibiotic is the same in both veterinary and human medicine (“It’s the same factory that makes the stuff,” he says). Plus, Telford says, he knows how to properly use doxycycline, which he takes to avoid Lyme disease. When I get bitten for more than 24 hours, I take a doxycycline,” he says. “And this isn’t unique among my colleagues either.” But incorrect use of antibiotics can lead to undesirable outcomes, Fellman — the veterinary pharmacologist — warns.

For example, it might pave the way for antibiotic resistant super-bacteria to colonize your body.

“[People] could definitely breed resistance in themselves,” she says. Veterinary drugs are not always approved by the Food and Drug Administration, either. While the federal agency does regulate prescription drugs like the animal doxycycline Telford has used, over-the-counter animal medications — like the fish antibiotics Shecktor uses -- are not checked by the FDA for safety or efficacy.