Amoxicillin Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Bromelain
When taken with amoxicillin, bromelain was shown to increase absorption of amoxicillin in
humans.1 When 80 mg of bromelain was taken together with amoxicillin and tetracycline, blood levels of both drugs increased,
though how bromelain acts on drug metabolism remains unknown.2 An older report
found bromelain also increased the actions of other antibiotics, including penicillin,
chloramphenicol, and erythromycin, in treating
a variety of infections. In that trial, 22 out of 23 people who had previously not responded
to these antibiotics did so after adding bromelain taken four times per day.3
Doctors will sometimes prescribe enough bromelain to equal 2,400 gelatin dissolving units
(listed as GDU on labels) per day. This amount would equal approximately 3,600 MCU (milk
clotting units), another common measure of bromelain activity.
Probiotics
A common side effect of antibiotics is
diarrhea, which may be caused by the elimination of beneficial bacteria normally found in
the colon. A nonpathogenic yeast known as Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown in
two double-blind studies to decrease frequency of
diarrhea in people taking amoxicillin as well as other penicillin-type drugs compared to
placebo.4 5 There were overall few people in these studies using
amoxicillin specifically, so there is no definitive proof that Saccharomyces
boulardii will be beneficial for everyone when it is combined with amoxicillin. The
studies used 1 gram of Saccharmoyces boulardii per day.
A separate double-blind study found that taking a combination of Lactobacillus
acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, two normal gut bacteria, with
amoxicillin did not protect children from developing diarrhea.6 The authors of the
study point out some problems such as the parents’ inability to consistently define
diarrhea. However, at this time, it is unknown if lactobacillus products will reduce diarrhea
due to amoxicillin.
Controlled studies have shown that taking other probiotic microorganisms—such as
Lactobacillus casei or Bifidobacterium longum—also helps prevent
antibiotic-induced diarrhea.7
The diarrhea experienced by some people who take antibiotics also might be due to an
overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which causes a disease known as
pseudomembranous colitis. Controlled studies have shown that supplementation with harmless
yeast—such as Saccharomyces boulardii8 or Saccharomyces
cerevisiae (baker’s or brewer’s yeast)9 —helps prevent
recurrence of this infection. In one study, taking 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii
twice daily enhanced the effectiveness of the antibiotic vancomycin in preventing recurrent
clostridium infection.10 Therefore, people taking antibiotics who later develop
diarrhea might benefit from supplementing with saccharomyces organisms.
Treatment with antibiotics also commonly leads to an overgrowth of yeast (Candida
albicans) in the vagina (candida
vaginitis) and the intestines (sometimes referred to as “dysbiosis”).
Controlled studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophi
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Review Date: 4/27/2008
Medication: Amoxicillin -  - Stay Far Away
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken: Less than 1 month
Strength: 500 X 3 times per day
Other Products Taken: Nexium, Toprol, Lazarapam
I took this mediaction for an ear infection and was perscribed 500 mg capsul 3 times a day for 10 days. I started 04/09/08, after 7 days I had inflamed, red, itchy skin. I stopped taking it on 04/18/08. Today 04/27/08, my skin has still not cleared up.
Rose Gutkin
NY, USA
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Review Date: 10/20/2008
Medication: Amoxicillin -  - Very Good
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken: Less than 1 month
Strength: 500 mg X 4 times per day
Side Effects: None
Other Products Taken: Oxycodone
I just had an emergency root canal therapy which was horrible, so obviously they put me on an antibiotic and pain killer. I'm not sure what this other person is talking about. I feel like they had an allergic reaction from the way that it sounds. The only down side to this drug is the fact that they are rather large pills, but if you take vitimins daily then you won't have a problem at all. I've been on this drug several times throughout my life and its always been just fine. So no worries, just make sure you tell your doctor what you are and are not allergic to and even that you don't know if you are allergic to a drug. Every detail helps in the world of medicine!
K.C.D.
Charlottesville, VA USA
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with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. The "reviews" listed for any medical condition, prescription drug, condition or symtpom is provided specifically from eVitamins and is not associated with healthnotes.
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