Antibiotics

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Possum
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Antibiotics

Post by Possum » 24th Nov, '10, 11:52

I tend to avoid doctors and the over use of medication if I possibly can, preferring the body to have a go at fighting it first. I can count on one hand the times I have taken antibiotics in recent years, with the last 12 months accounting for 2 of those!
Now while in the past I have been fine with them the last 2 times I have developed a nasty itchy red rash/spots. Why is that? What’s changed? Is it me or them?
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Possum » 24th Nov, '10, 16:46

All you chemists out there....any ideas?
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Addadude » 24th Nov, '10, 18:11

Have you taken this particular antibiotic before without any ill effects? If this is your first time taking it, then it could simply be a case of you having an allergy to this particular one.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Fat Bob » 24th Nov, '10, 23:55

"Antibiotics". Which ones? There are many different classes of antibiotics, all of them with some side effects. Did you speak with your doctor when the rashes occurred?

Maybe it's just "the change"?
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Possum » 25th Nov, '10, 09:26

Was using Klacid the first time and mentioned the rash to the doctor so she gave me Erythromycin this time.
I have never had a problem in the past. I don't understand how/why this reaction would just suddenly occur. Are the meds being made stronger than in the past?
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Lichtgestalt » 25th Nov, '10, 16:24

Could it be that the rash is unrelated to the antibiotics? Maybe you picked up something elsewhere?

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Re: Antibiotics

Post by baloo » 25th Nov, '10, 16:51

Possum wrote:Was using Klacid the first time and mentioned the rash to the doctor so she gave me Erythromycin this time.
I have never had a problem in the past. I don't understand how/why this reaction would just suddenly occur. Are the meds being made stronger than in the past?
You're also getting older and your reaction can change. i.e. allergies can develop at adult stages. Cat allergies, dust allergies, asthma etc. Could be time to turn and face the strange
Last edited by baloo on 25th Nov, '10, 16:54, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Possum » 25th Nov, '10, 19:54

I’ve been doing some goggling and it appears a rash is fairly common. The only inconsistency is it usually disappears as you age and not the reverse. I have always believed that you should use antibiotics as rarely as possible to both help your body grow stronger and more able to fight infection and to help prevent viruses becoming resistant through over use. Bugger, that line of thinking may have actually created the reactions I’m now experiencing.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Burbage » 26th Nov, '10, 06:09

You get the rash because the antibiotics kill the bacterial flora that usually lives on your skin, leaving you open to infection by fungi. It depends as much on your environment as on your allergies, in effect your body is reacting against a fungal infection, not the antibiotic. A topical antifungal cream might help.

If you have any other reaction, ie your tonsils are swollen or you have developed a temperature, you may be allergic to the antibiotic and you need to see a doctor. You have to change the antibiotic to a different one.

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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Fat Bob » 26th Nov, '10, 07:51

And changing Klacid to Erythromycin is hardly changing the drug, they are very similar in chemical structure. If you are having an allergic reaction to one it's not a million mile suggestion to say you'll be allergic to the other.

Though burb may be correct about the rash, he may also be incorrect. Rashes are reported as a "less common side effect". However, the idea of a topic anti-fungal cream is still a good one as that will promote keeping the area clean and make it less prone to further infection.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Possum » 26th Nov, '10, 09:56

Thanks guys.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by baloo » 26th Nov, '10, 09:57

man, I hate to think how much I spent on prescribed drugs this year. This morning I popped 6 different pills. Now I get a call from the specialist telling me to go in and get more because I've got Stepsils Cockles, or something lie that.
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Fat Bob » 26th Nov, '10, 18:54

I've got Strepsils Max in my bag. Though I'm pretty sure I don't want to swap....
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Re: Antibiotics

Post by kiwi » 30th Nov, '10, 00:56

Both clarithromycin and erythromycin belongs to the same class of antibiotic; macrolides. So if you're developing allergies or rash to one, likely you will see the same with the other. I'm not sure what infections you're treated for but your dr might want to consider cephalosporins; which is likely to cover the same spectrum as macrolides esp URTI.

Viral resistance don't particularly develope from antibiotics abuse, bacterial resistance does. However, the benefits should outweight risks if use appropriately for the right indication and duration.

Aslo, topical fungal infections don't normally result from use of clari and ery, tissue concentrations aren't there! Oral thrush..possible..

hope this helps!

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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Tack » 30th Nov, '10, 02:45

Poss, I get a rash with erythromycin while being fine with all other families of antibiotic that I've had. I was well into adulthood when I first got this reaction. No other allergies that I know of so it's not a case of being allergy-prone. Hope you're feeling better.

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Re: Antibiotics

Post by Kooky » 30th Nov, '10, 04:32

I'm allergic to penicillin, have been all my life (well I guess I still am, haven't used it since I was a baby) so I am given erythromycin instead. I'm fine with that.

As you know, I'm allergic to one or two things :lol:

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