Intestinal Disorders Forum - Flagyl antibiotics and colitis

Conditions and Diseases > Intestinal Disorders Forum > Flagyl antibiotics and colitis

What causes constipation? And how is constipation medically defined? Get the basics on this common gastrointestinal complaint here....

Q: Flagil antibiotics and colitis

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 14th, 2007

The above information is regarding my 14 year old son that was on augentin- stool sample tested now positive for C. Dif- he is on Flagel(sp) and has been for 2 days- still having dagger pains- should he be on a certain diet for this? The pain still wakes him up at night- he is fine one minute and bent over the next- I was hoping this medicine would have kicked in by now?

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on January 10th, 2008

Flagyl antibiotics and colitis

A bowel infection caused by Clostridium deficiele is called " pseudo-membranous colitis ". Pseudo-membranous colitis usually occurs after long term usage of large-spectral antibiotics like Augmentin ( amoxicillin clavulonic acid ). Large-spectral antibiotics kill sensitive saprophytic bacteria in the bowels allowing only the resistant species such as Clostridium deficiele to remain in the intestines.

Clostridium deficiele is an anaerobic bacterium that does not cause intestinal infections under normal conditions because other saprophytic bacteria in the bowels prevent it from happening. Pseudo-membranous colitis could be a life threatening condition if not treated with proper antibiotics. For example, Flagyl (metronidazole) is used for treating anaerobic infections including Clostridium deficiele.

You can consult an infectologist about this condition for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Intestinal Disorders , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on January 10th, 2008

Intestinal Disorders Answer A3486

Comments (1)

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc