The Top Six Antibiotics for Treating Endocarditis and/or Myocarditis

Over the course of the last few months, my doctor has been trying to find the right combination of antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers to help with my diagnosed conditions of endocarditis and myocarditis. Some of the results have been disappointing while others have been difficult to handle.

The purpose of this article is to share that information with you in case one or more of these drugs might be prescribed for you in the future; working on the theory that it is always best to know what you are getting into.

Listed below are the top six antibiotics choices used to treat either endocarditis, myocarditis or both. Listed with them are the drug’s contraindications and possible side effects. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Clindamycin should not be taken by those with kidney or liver disease, an intestinal disorder, Crohn’s disease, or asthma. The drug should also not be taken with narcotics or anti-diarrhea medications.

Side effects of clindamycin include, by are not limited to: nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, painful joints, skin rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing.

Erythromycin should not be taken by those with liver disease or those taking the drugs terfenadine, astermizole, cisapride, or primozide. It can interact with these drugs to cause a life-threatening condition.

Side effects of erythromycin include, but are not limited to: extreme sensitivity to the sun, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, and vertigo.

Keflex should not be taken by anyone suffering from kidney or liver disease nor by women who are pregnant or who are nursing. It is also not recommended for use by young children or by the elderly.

Side effects of keflex include, but are not limited to: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, dizziness, fatigue, headache, agitation, confusion, hallucination, joint pain, fever, seizure or hemorrhage.

Penicillin is often not recommended for people who have asthma, blood clots or bleeding disorders, kidney disease, or a list of other severe allergies. It is also not recommended for those who take the drugs methotrexate and probenecid because of severe negative interaction.

Side effects of penicillin include, but are not limited to: diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, easy bruising, bleeding, unusual weakness, decreased urination, skin rash, agitation, confusion, unusual behavior, seizure, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, swollen tongue.

Tetracycline is not recommended for those taking antacids, minerals like calcium or iron, or who regularly use dairy products. It can enhance blood thinning, so those who are already known to bleed excessively should avoid it. It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.

Side effects of tetracycline include, but are not limited to: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. People taking this drug should also avoid the sun since tetracycline can amplify the effects of the sun’s rays.

Zithromax is not recommended for individuals who have kidney or liver disease or a heart rhythm disorder. It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or women who are nursing.

Side effects of zithromax include, but are not limited to: diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, headache, skin rash, dark urine, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, and uneven heartbeat.

Since I was unable to take either penicillin or tetracycline, due to allergic reaction, my doctor started me out on clindamycin. Unfortunately, that particular antibiotic did not work for me at all. In fact, my symptoms constinued to escalate at an alarming rate.

The next drug of choice was erythromycin. It is a drug that I have taken all my life as a penicillin substitute. Unfortunately, my infection was too strong and it did not respond to this antibiotic.

Having had a lot of success with zithromax in the past, with my pneumonia, it was the next obvious choice. Unfortunately, it caused my heart to beat too irregularly and threw me into a minor heart situation.

The antibiotic that is working for my endocarditis and myocarditis is keflex. However, this is a very strong antibiotic that is not usually the first choice for treatment because of its many possible and severe side effects.

In the event you are prescribed one of these antibiotics and experience any of these harmful side effects, contact your physician immediately. Only he or she is qualified to determine whether or not it is safe for you to continue using the drug.

Look for my next article about ACE inhibitors and beta blockers used to treat endocarditis and/or myocarditis.

Reference:

• MedicineNet served as a reference for the drug interactions and side effects listed on the antibiotics referenced in this article.