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Suggest Treatment For Recurring Ulcers While On Clindamycin
Question: I am 73 yrs old and am taking Clindamycin to help cure a mild recurrence of stasis ulcers in my right leg. My dose is 300mg and I was to take 3 per day for 10 days. I'm in day 6 and my nausea and diarrhea are worsening. Am also applying Bactroban on the leg daily under a Telfa bandage beneath a wide Ace bandage wrap. Edema almost all gone and skin on leg looks almost normal. Since I'm on a trip, the side effects from the Clindamycin are getting very inconvenient. May I stop using the Clindamycin at this point in time? I'm scheduled to return home 4 days from now. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
probably antibiotic associated diarrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
diarrhea is a common side effect of clindamycin. This antibiotic may cause pseudomembranous colitis by inducing Clostridium difficile growth in the intestine (killing the rest of the intestinal bacteria leaves more room for Clostridium). This is a disorder that may get better by stopping the antibiotic but sometimes it doesn't and even hospitalization might be required. If the diarrhea is mild and there's no fever then stopping the antibiotic and starting metronidazole may correct the problem. Testing for Clostridium toxin in the stool is recommended. You'd better visit a local doctor for assessment.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
probably antibiotic associated diarrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
diarrhea is a common side effect of clindamycin. This antibiotic may cause pseudomembranous colitis by inducing Clostridium difficile growth in the intestine (killing the rest of the intestinal bacteria leaves more room for Clostridium). This is a disorder that may get better by stopping the antibiotic but sometimes it doesn't and even hospitalization might be required. If the diarrhea is mild and there's no fever then stopping the antibiotic and starting metronidazole may correct the problem. Testing for Clostridium toxin in the stool is recommended. You'd better visit a local doctor for assessment.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Zografakis,
I appreciate your advice. I have had only one episode of diarrhea so far (this morning) and I don't have a fever. I have had nausea for a few days. I'm just anticipating that the diarrhea may get worse if I continue taking the Clindamycin. Is there another name for Metronidazole? Is it available over the counter?
Thanks again,
XXXXX
I appreciate your advice. I have had only one episode of diarrhea so far (this morning) and I don't have a fever. I have had nausea for a few days. I'm just anticipating that the diarrhea may get worse if I continue taking the Clindamycin. Is there another name for Metronidazole? Is it available over the counter?
Thanks again,
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
will probably get worse...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome! Nice to talk with a Greek-American!
You're right about the diarrhea. It will probably get worse. If the leg looks normal (not hot, not red, not swollen) for at least 24 hours then perhaps you've had enough clindamycin. Sometimes 6 days are enough.
If you decide to continue treatment then make sure you also take prophylaxis for the intestinal flora like Saccharomyces boulardii (or something similar - you can ask the pharmacist for available options).
Metronidazole is an antibiotic which works well for pseudomembranous colitis. The brand name is flagyl but I don't know if it's the same worldwide.
The usual dosage is 500mg three times a day for 10-14 days. For such a mild case the best strategy is to wait if it can get better without treatment though.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
will probably get worse...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome! Nice to talk with a Greek-American!
You're right about the diarrhea. It will probably get worse. If the leg looks normal (not hot, not red, not swollen) for at least 24 hours then perhaps you've had enough clindamycin. Sometimes 6 days are enough.
If you decide to continue treatment then make sure you also take prophylaxis for the intestinal flora like Saccharomyces boulardii (or something similar - you can ask the pharmacist for available options).
Metronidazole is an antibiotic which works well for pseudomembranous colitis. The brand name is flagyl but I don't know if it's the same worldwide.
The usual dosage is 500mg three times a day for 10-14 days. For such a mild case the best strategy is to wait if it can get better without treatment though.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Zografakis,
Per your second note, since my leg has not been hot, red or swollen for 24 hours I will stop taking the Clindamycin, but will continue the Bactroban with the Ace bandage wrap until we get home (flying nonstop from L.A. to XXXXXXX on Monday night). Will also elevate leg when possible. My bride of 50 years is a retired RN and she agrees.
Thanks again for your time and your thorough advice.
YASSOOO!
XXXX
Per your second note, since my leg has not been hot, red or swollen for 24 hours I will stop taking the Clindamycin, but will continue the Bactroban with the Ace bandage wrap until we get home (flying nonstop from L.A. to XXXXXXX on Monday night). Will also elevate leg when possible. My bride of 50 years is a retired RN and she agrees.
Thanks again for your time and your thorough advice.
YASSOOO!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
I agree
Detailed Answer:
I agree with your decision. I'm sure everything will be all right. If you detect warmth or redness on your leg, you'll have to restart treatment with another antibiotic. I would have chosen another antibiotic as a first option anyway but the choice depends on recent antibiotic exposure, allergies, etc.
XXXXXXX epistrofi (have a nice journey back home) !
I agree
Detailed Answer:
I agree with your decision. I'm sure everything will be all right. If you detect warmth or redness on your leg, you'll have to restart treatment with another antibiotic. I would have chosen another antibiotic as a first option anyway but the choice depends on recent antibiotic exposure, allergies, etc.
XXXXXXX epistrofi (have a nice journey back home) !
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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