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C. Difficile - Antibiotics that cause it

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Did antibiotics cause your C. difficile colitis? Which one(s) did you take?

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Which antibiotics cause C. difficile colitis?

Although the antibiotic clindamycin (Cleocin) has been widely recognized as causing C. difficile colitis, many commonly prescribed antibiotics also cause colitis. Examples of antibiotics that frequently cause C. difficile colitis include:

  • ampicillin,

  • amoxicillin, and

  • cephalosporins [such as cephalexin (Keflex)].

Antibiotics that occasionally cause C. difficile colitis include:

  • penicillin,

  • erythromycin,

  • trimethoprim, and
  • quinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

Antibiotics that rarely if ever cause C. difficile colitis include:

  • tetracycline,

  • metronidazole (Flagyl),

  • vancomycin (Vancocin), and

  • aminoglycosides [such as gentamicin (Garamycin)].

In fact, metronidazole and vancomycin are two antibiotics that are used for treating C. difficile colitis; however, there are rare reports of C. difficile colitis occurring several days after stopping metronidazole.

While most C. difficile colitis in the US is caused by antibiotics, C. difficile colitis also can occur in patients without exposure to antibiotics. For example, patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been known to develop C. difficile colitis without exposure to antibiotics.

Since many antibiotics can cause C. difficile infection, all antibiotics should be used prudently. Self-administration or using antibiotics without an accurate diagnosis or a proper reason should be discouraged. On the other hand, benefits of properly prescribed antibiotics for the right reasons usually far outweigh the risk of developing C. difficile colitis.

Antibiotics can sometimes cause diarrhea that is not due to C. difficile infection. The reason for the diarrhea is not clear. The practical implication is that not all diarrhea associated with antibiotics should be considered to be due to C. difficile and treated as such.

Return to Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)

See what others are saying

Comment from: Cici, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: May 10

I was prescribed a 10-day course of Augmentin for a respiratory infection. Nine days after stopping the Augmentin, I had the first symptoms of C. Difficile. I did not have a fever, but horrible abdominal cramps and diarrhea. I am currently on my third day of treatment with Flagyl, and am still experiencing diarrhea, but the symptoms aren't as bad. I am hoping that I am not one of the unfortunates who relapse.

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Comment from: smith, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: May 28

I was on Augmentin for an upper respiratory infection and after my last dosage, I got C. diff. At first, I thought I was just sick, and then did some research. After going to the doctor and having tests, it was confirmed that I had C. diff. I was given metronidazole. However, the dosage that was given to me was not strong enough and it did not clear up the C. diff. I am back on the same medication, but my dosage has been doubled. It's been a week and I feel much better. I hope this clears it up.

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