Antibiotic Use And Malabsorption

[pbc+celiac]

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and have been gluten free for 10 days. At the time of diagnosis i had a sinus infection so she started me on Levaquin which normally takes care of any infection. After 5 days on antibiotic sinus infection worsened. Went back to Dr. and sinus infection actually worse so she started me on Tetracycline for 10 days. I have been on it for the 4th day and still have major sinus symptoms.

My question is can antibiotics be malabsorbed? My vitamin levels are low so what's to say that I am not absorbing my other medicines. Any info would be great. What are options if it is malabsorbed?

Thanks

[psawyer]

I don't have any specific expertise, but my guess is that it is possible, or even probable. Many oral meds are designed to be slowly absorbed in the small intestine. In that case, damaged villi would certainly be a factor causing malabsorption. Other meds are faster acting and are absorbed through the stomach lining--these would not be affected.

[mushroom]

Before I went gluten free I had a continuous UTI. I would take a full course of antibiotics and still not test clear. So more antibiotics...more gut problems, less absorption, a continuous vicious cycle. It took more than six months gluten free before the UTI's went away, even with taking cranberry tablets all the time, and lots of them.

So yes, I agree with Peter, it's certainly a possibility.

[rinne]

Hi.

If you are taking antibiotics, in my opinion, it would be a very good idea to take a probiotic, if you have trouble with supplements then good quality plain yogurt would also help, or if you have kitchen skills then I would suggest learning how to make your own 24 hour high probiotic yogurt, if you want information on doing that then send me a PM.

I hope you are feeling better soon.