www.ABCVitaminsLife.com Shopping Cart MyCart    Customer Service: 1-800-995-6580 1-800-995-6580
Last Search Result
Popular Complexes Personal Program - Login
Health Newsletter - Archive
Health Newsletter Articles
Latest News General Health and Wellness Bone, Joint and Muscle Health Cancer Cardio - Vascular System Coenzyme Q10 Digestive System Endocrine/Hormonal System Fluid Balance/Urinary System Lungs Memory, Brain and Nervous System Men's Health Women's Health Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Weight Management Vision Vitamin D RSS Newsletter RSS Feed
5 Most Popular Searches
Hoodia Grape Seed Extract Calcium Vitamin C Acidophilus
Nutrition Facts
Health Concerns Health Centers Herbal Remedies Vitamins Guide Homeopathy Safetychecker Food Groups Healthy Eating Special Diets Sports & Fitness Weight Control Women's Health Men's Health Health Notes Newsware
Help
My Orders About Us Customer Support Shipping & Returns Terms of Use Privacy Policy Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Links
Download Order Form

Antibiotics

Also indexed as: Bacitracin, Caci-IM, Chloramphenicol, Chlormycetin, Colistimethate, ColyMycin, Furazolidone, Furoxone, Lincocin, Lincomycin, Linezolid, Vancocin, Vancomycin, Zyvox

Illustration

Antibiotics are used to either kill or slow down the growth of bacteria and are divided into the categories listed below.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

Beneficial May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them.

Vitamin K

Beneficial May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.

Bifidobacterium longum

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus casei

Saccharomyces boulardii

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Vitamin K

Beneficial May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.

Saccharomyces boulardii

Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability

None known

Adverse interaction

None known

Interactions common to many, if not all, Antibiotics are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or several drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no separate article exists. If you are taking an Antibiotic for which no separate article exists, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Top

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Top

Interactions common to most, if not all, antibiotics are described in this article. For interactions involving a specific antibiotic refer to the highlighted drugs listed below.

Top

Aminoglycosides

  • Amikacin (Amikin®)
  • Gentamicin (Garamycin®)
  • Kanamycin (Kantrex®)
  • Neomycin (Mycifradin®)
  • Netilmicin (Netromycin®)
  • Paromomycin (Humatin®)
  • Streptomycin
  • Tobramycin (TOBI Solution®, TobraDex®, Nebcin®)

Beta-lactam antibiotics

Cephalosporins

  • Aztreonam (Azactam® for injection)
  • Cefaclor (Ceclor®)
  • Cefadroxil (Duricef®)
  • Cefamandole (Mandol®)
  • Cefazolin (Ancef®, Kefzol®)
  • Cefdinir (Omnicef®)
  • Cefepime (Maxipime®)
  • Cefixime (Suprax®)
  • Cefoperazone (Cefobid®)
  • Cefotaxime (Claforan®)
  • Cefotetan (Cefotan®)
  • Cefoxitin (Mefoxin®)
  • Cefpodoxime (Vantin®)
  • Cefprozil (Cefzil®)
  • Ceftazidime (Ceptaz®, Fortaz®, Tazicef®, Tazidime®)
  • Ceftibuten (Cedax®)
  • Ceftizoxime (Cefizox®)
  • Ceftriaxone (Rocephin®)
  • Cefuroxime (Ceftin®, Kefurox®, Zinacef®)
  • Cephalexin (Keflex®, Keftab®)
  • Cephapirin (Cefadyl®)
  • Cephradine (Anspor®, Velocef®)
  • Imipenem and Cilastatin (Primaxin I.V.®)
  • Loracarbef (Lorabid®)
  • Meropenem (Merrem I.V.®)

Macrolides

  • Azithromycin (Zithromax®)
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin®)
  • Dirithromycin (Dynabac®)
  • Erythromycin oral (EES®, EryPed®, Ery-Tab®, PCE Dispertab®, Pediazole®)
  • Erythromycin topical (A/T/S®, Akne-Mycin®, Erygel®, Erycette®, Eryderm®, Erygel®)
  • Troleandomycin (Tao®)

Penicillins

  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil®, Trimox®)
  • Amoxicillin and Clavulanate (Augmentin®)
  • Ampicillin (Principen®, Totacillin®)
  • Ampicillin + sulbactam (Unisyn®)
  • Bacampicillin (Spectrobid®)
  • Carbenicillin (Geocillin®)
  • Cloxacillin (Cloxapen®)
  • Dicloxacillin (Dynapen®, Dycill®)
  • Mezlocillin (Mezlin®)
  • Nafcillin (Unipen®)
  • Oxacillin (Bactocill®)
  • Penicillin G (Bicillin C-R®, Bicillin L-A®, Pfizerpen®)
  • Penicillin V (Beepen-VK®, Veetids®)
  • Piperacillin (Pipracil®)
  • Piperacillin and Tazobactam (Zosyn®)
  • Ticarcillin (Ticar®)
  • Ticarcillin and Clavulantae (Timentin®)

Quinolones

  • Cinoxacin (Cinobac®)
  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro®)
  • Enoxacin (Penetrex®)
  • Gatifloxacin (Tequin®)
  • Levofloxacin (Levaquin®)
  • Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin®)
  • Moxifloxacin (Avelox®)
  • Nalidixic acid (NegGram®)
  • Norfloxacin (Noroxin®)
  • Ofloxacin (Floxin®)
  • Sparfloxacin (Zagam®)
  • Trovafloxacin and Alatrofloxacin (Trovan®)

Sulfonamides

  • Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene®, SSD®)
  • Sodium sulfacetamide (AK-Sulf®, Bleph-10®, Sodium Sulamyd®)
  • Sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol®)
  • Sulfanilamide (AVC®)
  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®)
  • Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin®)
  • Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Septra®, Sulfatrim Pediatric®)
  • Triple Sulfa (Sultrin Triple Sulfa®)

Tetracyclines

  • Demeclocycline (Declomycin®)
  • Doxycycline (Monodox®, Periostat®, Vibramycin®, Vibra-Tabs®)
  • Minocycline (Dynacin®, Minocin®, Vectrin®)
  • Oxytetracycline (Terramycin®)
  • Tetracycline (Sumycin®, Tetracyn®)

Miscellaneous antibiotics

Top

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Probiotics
A common side effect of antibiotics is diarrhea, which may be caused by the elimination of beneficial bacteria normally found in the colon. Controlled studies have shown that taking probiotic microorganisms—such as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, or Saccharomyces boulardii—helps prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.1

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 boulardii2 or Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s or brewer’s yeast)3 —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.4 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.5

Vitamin K
Several cases of excessive bleeding have been reported in people who take antibiotics.6 7 8 9 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.10 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. Aditional 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.

Top
References
(To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
 
Gender:  
Weight:  lb.     Age:    
Bromelain Powder 100 grams
Bromelain Powder
The gastrointestinal tract is a long muscular tube that functions as the food processor for the human body.
Arginine Caps 900 mg, 200 capsules
Arginine Caps
L-arginine is an essential amino acid.
Brite Eyes III 2 vials (5 ml each)
Brite Eyes III
Maintaining eye health is a major concern as we age.
Super Selenium Complex 200 mcg, 100 capsules
Super Selenium Complex
As an essential cofactor of glutathione peroxidase, selenium is an important antioxidant.
Vitamin D3 5,000 IU, 60 capsules
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D has long provided significant support for healthy bone density.
Mega Green Tea Extract (Lightly Caffeinated) 100 capsules
Mega Green Tea Extract (Lightly Caffeinated)
The active constituents in green tea are polyphenols, with an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) being the most powerful.
Inosine 500 mg, 60 capsules
Inosine
Inosine belongs to a chemical family known as purine nucleotides.
DGL Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice 760 mg, 100 tablets
DGL Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Sometimes called the great harmonizer, licorice root has a long history of use in Chinese medicine for a variety of conditions.
Omega-3 EPA DHA has been found to significantly decrease levels of triglycerides... More on this story >>
Nutrients help to relieve symptoms of PMS... More on this story >>
Omega-3 Fatty acids help people with colitis-inflammation of the bowel... More on this story >>
The Doctor's Corner
LEONID MAGIDENKO, M.D.
After practicing Integrative Medicine for over 20 years, it naturally appears to me that rationally combining a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, vitamins, supplements and pharmaceuticals helps achieve the best results for a healthy well-being...
 Product announcements, Special Offers, More...
 
Product Index | Health Assessment | About Us | Resources | Shipping & Returns | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2005-2009 ABCVitaminsLife, Inc. All rights reserved.
Merchant Services
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Please view our full Terms of Use for more information and the terms and conditions governing your use of this site.