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Amoxicillin warning label - Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/8/2014 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
My friend just had their wisdom teeth pulled and was prescribed Amoxicillin. Found the warning label interesting, first time I've seen this. Growing up I used to get strep throat yearly and was prescribed amoxicillin numerous times. Also received it for other infections/illnesses I had throughout the years.  I would guess I was prescribed amoxicillin at least 10 times throughout my life, the latest was about 6 months or so before I was diagnosed with severe UC.

I had some very minor warning signs starting about 9 months before it went way out of control, minimal blood and sometimes loose stools. about 10 months before that I had my wisdom teeth pulled and took Amoxicillin for that.  Anyway, here is what the warning label says now-a-days.

"May cause diarrhea during treatment. If it persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor or pharmacist."

"Persistent diarrhea due to COLITIS may rarely occur weeks or months after using antibiotics. If this occurs, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

I guess I now know why I probably have UC since not one person in my family has had it in at least the previous 3 generations or my generation.

Posted 1/8/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting that they added a warning to their label. I wonder if this means there has been a successful lawsuit brought against one or more antibiotics?
Posted 1/8/2014 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, but "colitis" doesn't mean Ulcerative colitis. "Colitis" just means inflammation of the colon (due to a variety of sources, including GI viruses/bacteria), and it can happen with just about any antibiotic, since the bacteria that inhabit the gut are also killed off, in addition to the target organism. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is fairly common, but can be prevented/helped by using probiotics.
Posted 1/8/2014 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
anyone else in your famly ever on antibiotics as much as you cal man ?
Posted 1/8/2014 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I've seen that for a few years on antibiotics. Not surprising...too bad it took so long. But if you got to take it you got to take it.
Posted 1/8/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
anyone else in your famly ever on antibiotics as much as you cal man ?

Not that I'm aware of. But now that I have that in my mind I'll ask around. Would be intersting to know.
Posted 1/8/2014 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
ya, I was on a ton of aunties over 40 years - have to assume it played a part in my uc acquisition !
Posted 1/8/2014 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, they're referring to bacterial colitis (such as c. diff, which we all know about.) Amoxicillin has long been the first line of defense against all sorts of infections, because it is inexpensive and doesn't have dangerous side effects (for most.) It's also always been notorious for causing diarrhea. It always gave me d., but now I can't tolerate it at all. I was prescribed it a couple of years ago. After the first dose I developed D., after the second dose I was literally unable to get off the toilet because I had a steady river of stool coming out.

That said, for people who do tolerate it, Amoxicillin can be a trouble-free and effective antibiotic to treat some pretty serious things.
Posted 1/8/2014 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
The first thing my mother in law (retired pediatric oncologist) asked me when we told her I have UC is what antibiotics I have taken recently. She has a lot of experience with c diff in her patients and feels that even UC can be brought on by an auto immune response from bacterial imbalance in the colon. She doesn't have a whole lot of proof but this is her gut feeling on this. (I should also add that one of her ex husbands is a gi who specializes in IBD, especially CD).
Posted 1/8/2014 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I have to agree with the crowd on this one. They are not referring to UC. Antibiotics are famous for giving people diarrhea. Having said that, I'm pretty darn sure that broad spectrum antibiotics gave me my UC because my UC started right there in the hospital while taking these very high powered antis. There's really zero proof that long term antibiotics can lead to UC but some can sure make an argument for it. It's not a definite no.
Posted 1/8/2014 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
As pointed out by FG and others, it states "colitis" and they probably mean "colitis induced symptoms" I have 2 nephews (blood related) that were on antibiotics way too much when they were both little because they both had a lot of issues with ear infections and they took amoxicillin all the time, add that to our family history (my mom/their grandma with UC and me with CD and another cousin on their dad's side also with UC and to date neither of my nephews have an IBD...not to say they never will because the family history alone is against them, especially with it being on both their mom (my sister) and dads side.

Besides which, long ago researchers came to the conclusion that it's more likely that a combination of environmental triggers is involved with the development of IBD compared to just one environmental trigger.

Also consider the fact that everyone that's ever taken amoxicillin would have "colitis" if that was the case, and they don't...plenty of people that have even taken it too often still have not developed an IBD.
Posted 1/8/2014 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
pb4 - I'm going to have to disagree with you that "everyone" would get it. Not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer, not everyone who drinks heavily has liver failure. People's bodies respond differently.
Posted 1/8/2014 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
ya cal man, I don't quite get what she's trying to say either ????/
Posted 1/8/2014 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Going to try to clear a couple misconceptions here:

1) Amoxicillin does correlate to UC and other autoimmune conditions, but studies can't "prove" it because they aren't structured in such a way to show it. Gastrointestinal complications aren't recorded in the trials because
a) they can develop months later due to microbiotica imbalances
b) most people don't report them and associate them with something else.
c) most people develop resistant bugs, cdiff and other bacterial manifestions like thrush requiring more use of antibiotics. It becomes a vicious cycle where the end result could possibly be colitis.
d) most people aren't instructed to repopulate with probiotics

2) Going by the emerging publications on 'cillins and fluoroquinolones, and the CDC's recent warning on antibiotics, we're going to have far bigger issues to deal with than just colitis. If they aren't aren't already threat, superbugs are going to be a real problem because of all the antibiotic misuse.

3) The warnings coming out on antibiotics are very, very real - a heart warning was just issued on the zpack yesterday. This is because the FDA sets a quota - if enough people report the problem, then only do they release the warning. It could take years for a warning to get out to the public.

4) The problem is people are taking antibiotics when they don't need them - roughly 50%+ of patients. The other problem is that 1-5% of people actually report complications, so it becomes a matter of false data. Hate to break it to you folks, but complications aren't rare. Don't believe everything you read.

5) I kind of alluded to this fact above, but amoxicillin should only be indicated if there's a confirmed bacterial condition through a culture or lab testing. Even if you are puking your guts out with a cold, it will do nothing to help it. Sadly, most people take it for colds and congestion problems. It's not a joke drug to take.

Post Edited (StealthGuardian) : 1/8/2014 12:34:36 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/8/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have no problem taking amoxicillin, zithromyacin, clavulin, Septra/Bactrim, etc. But I did, however, when I was in my mid 20s have diarrhea from ampicillin.

While the warnings are totally legit, there are many people who contribute to the issues by not completing their medications regimen or not getting a prescription that's a long enough course to deal with an infection effectively.

When I was on a longer course of antibiotics for a lingering sinus infection, my pharmacist suggested I start probiotics....I didn't have any problems with the antibiotic before that, but it was good advice regardless.

There are many ways that bacteria are spread, and the infections that are out there warrant antibiotics for legit reasons. Improper cleaning of items/things we touch/use and handwashing hygiene is huge on the list for spreading bacteria and invading our bodies.

I think everyone should be using probiotics, and the suggestion to use them while on and after using antibiotics is a good thing for our and others' protection.

I can't blame antibiotic overuse for my contracting UC....but I might be able to say that while I believe I came by the tendency honestly through genetics, I did contract a violent gastro infection (hand to mouth) and never had stool samples done. A continuing issue for almost 3 years was possibly the trigger for the UC, and by the time the bleeding started and I was sent to a specialist...the stool samples were clear of any invader.

We do have to be cautious, but we also have to acquiesce to use them when necessary...

q
Posted 1/8/2014 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
What I'm saying is, there's more to getting colitis than simply taking amoxicillin...yes everyone's bodies respond differently to "threats" that are out there, I'm well aware of that, but I also know that all environmental triggers are not even known yet, not enough about IBD in general is known yet.
Posted 1/8/2014 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, don't bother explaining things to soystud...his understanding/thinking and support has been very limited lately.

We/most of us get what you're saying, and I support the concept as well...but it depends, however, if one's on the need to blame everything wagon.

q
Posted 1/8/2014 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
oh thank you so much for your support during this period of non supportiveness :-)
Posted 1/8/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
and once again, you're welcome. In truth, soy.....you've been a little off on the mean-train for a while. a bit barby and jabby continually. One-liners for a comedian, the meaning is always double-sided. Unless you're actually meaning what you're saying, choose better words. My support is this....what are you really wanting to say? because if it's nothing worth but a one-liner and a head-scratcher as to why you continually do the same behaviour, maybe don't add anything.
q
Posted 1/8/2014 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have no idea what you are saying, but thanks mom -
Posted 1/8/2014 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
OMG I will never take amoxiciliian again in my life!! In 2004, I went to the doctor for a sinus infection and was given amoxiciilian. A few weeks later for my 15th bday I developed a bad C-diff infection and missed like a month of school and was sick for a lot longer than that. I truly believe this set off my IBD-next fall I was told I had UC pancolitis then the following year severe Crohns.

I actually have this listed as my major allergy.
Posted 1/8/2014 8:51 PM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
I have no idea what you are saying, but thanks mom -

sigh...not surprised.

q
Posted 1/8/2014 10:15 PM (GMT 0)

kix2989 said...
OMG I will never take amoxiciliian again in my life!! In 2004, I went to the doctor for a sinus infection and was given amoxiciilian. A few weeks later for my 15th bday I developed a bad C-diff infection and missed like a month of school and was sick for a lot longer than that. I truly believe this set off my IBD-next fall I was told I had UC pancolitis then the following year severe Crohns.

I actually have this listed as my major allergy.

I know your pain, as I went through something similar.

I had a sinus and chest congestion issue for which amoxicillin was dispensed without second thought. Unfortunately, I finished the course, and then read the medical literature on it. Big mistake on my part. The end result of the ordeal was a rare strain of strep throat (group f) and further health complications which I don't feel like discussing at the moment. I paid an absolute vicious price for trusting "experienced" doctors. Since then, I've learned to take everything medical professionals say with a grain of salt; treat them as you would treat politicians.

The harsh reality is that antibiotics don't do anything for most sinus infections: 94% of patients saw no benefit while 12% experienced side effects (mainly gastrointestinal). It doesn't mention ulcerative colitis but 12% is too high of a number to justify taking something that doesn't work. It is very conceivable that someone could develop UC just from a simple antibiotic course. We already live stressful and toxic lifestyles, so it's not farfetched at all for it to be final trigger. Some of do indeed have genetic susceptibility, but it's all about how genes are expressed in the environment (see the emerging field of epigenetics).

There are obviously rare cases that require the use of antibiotics, but again, it should always (emphasized with a bullet) be confirmed through proper diagnostic testing via stool and throat cultures. It's not worth the high price of autoimmunity or other future complications, which includes increased susceptibility to colds, viruses and flus. Doctors need the proper education and training to realize this fact.

Post Edited (StealthGuardian) : 1/8/2014 3:21:15 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/9/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
So, let me see if I have this correct. Ulcerative colitis (as opposed to "colitis") is caused by:

1. Eating whatever the food police currently have on the "bad" list
2. Taking antibiotics or other "big pharma" meds
3. Believing anything you are told by a person in authority, a person with extensive training in health care, or anyone who ever ate a Big Mac

Um-kay, then
Posted 1/9/2014 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
1) Eating whatever you want might not land you ulcerative colitis, but if the statistical trends being reported are correct, it's a recipe for heart disease and other health complications in the future. It's estimated that at least 1 in 3 people will come down with either lung cancer, colorectal cancer or prostrate/breast cancer. Eating McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts is not a recipe for good health. There's no way to justify eating those foods. Subsequently, metabolic syndrome is on the rise in our adolescent population - it's also estimated that they will not outlive their parents.

2) People take medications and suffer unnecessary consequences. No one is impervious to the dangers of pharmaceutical drugs. Taking medications appropriately is fine, but taking them without just cause is a recipe for disaster. See theNNT.com for further details on when antibiotics are useful and when they are not. They pool together years of data and studies and determine efficacy ratings. The pharmaceutical industry has a duty to their fiduciaries before the general public. This is why "new" warnings on drugs are being released everyday.

3) At the end of the day, the doctor isn't going to hold your hand. You have to be your own advocate and do your own research on treatments. There are a category of scientists and doctors hard at work trying to bring us the real efficacy rates on medications. These are guys that are going against the current medical paradigm of treating every conceivable symptom, including colds, with unnecessary medications.

4) I'm just echoing what the CDC mentioned in regards to antibiotics. Trust them if you must.

Post Edited (StealthGuardian) : 1/8/2014 6:00:27 PM (GMT-7)

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