Antibiotic medications - penicillin derivatives
Penicillin derivatives include:
Aminopenicillins
- Amoxicillin (Amoxicot, Amoxil, Moxilin, Trimox, and Wymox)
- Ampicillin (Principen)
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium (Augmentin, Augmentin XR, Amoclan, and Augmentin ES-600)
- Ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn)
- Piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn)
- Clavulanate/ticarcillin (Timentin)
Natural penicillins
- Penicillin V Potassium (Suspen, Truxcillin, and Veetids)
- Penicillin g benzathine (Bicillin L-A)
- Procaine penicillin (Wycillin)
Depletions
Good BacteriaTaking penicillin derivatives may deplete good bacteria.
There are many types of good bacteria that live in your intestine. They help keep your digestive system healthy. Two of these bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
Good bacteria help you to:
- Fight against infections and diseases
- Digest food
Use of some medicines may deplete good bacteria. If you do not have enough probiotics in your gut, you may have:
- Gas
- Stomach problems
- Diarrhea
- More serious infections in your intestine
- Increased risk of allergies
Some foods called probiotics contain good bacteria, and can help return your gut to normal.
Editorial Note
The information presented here covers some of the nutrients that may be affected when you take certain medicines. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, it does not always mean you have low levels of these nutrients.
Factors that affect the level of nutrients are:
- Your medical history
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- How long you have been taking the medicine
Please talk to your health care provider. They can best address your health care needs and see if you are at risk for low levels of any nutrients.
Supporting Research
Chen LA, Sears CL. Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 3.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin, 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-31. Accessed July 7, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Clavulanic Acid 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-32. Accessed July 7, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Ampicillin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-34. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Ampicillin; Sulbactam 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-35. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Penicillin G Benzathine 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-3421. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Penicillin G Procaine 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-3422. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Piperacillin; Tazobactam 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-491. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Ticarcillin; Clavulanic Acid 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-612. Accessed July 15, 2016.
Harrison GJ. Probiotics. In: Cherry JD, Demmler-Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 242.
Shenkin A, Roberts NB. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 31.
Reviewed By
Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.