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Suggest Remedy For Loss Of Focus While On Metronidazole And Cephalexin
Question: I have diverticulitis and have Take n crephalexin 259 mg three times daily . I am also taking metronidazole 500 mg. three times a day. I feel like a zombie and 5 more days left. I am having trouble focusing on anything. Must I keep taking to the end. Which one is causing the problem?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those side effects are not common for any of those 2 antibiotics, but they both list confusion and dizziness among possible rare side effects so it can't be determined which one is responsible (or whether both). Interrupting only one of them wouldn't assure full coverage as they cover different bacteria.
As for what to do now, that depends on how many days you have been taking them, you mention only how many days are left.
Therapy duration is recommended for 7-10 days.
If you have taken them already for 5 days and were told to take them for 10 days, then you may shorten to a total of 7 days (meaning 2 more days) and stop earlier.
If on the other hand you have taken them for only 2 days then it won't do to interrupt therapy so early. The options would be either continuing for full 5 more days if the side effects are tolerable, or if you can't tolerate them try another antibiotic, a broad specter one which could be used as monotherapy (alone not in combination) such as a fluoroquinolone (levofloxacine, moxifloxacine).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those side effects are not common for any of those 2 antibiotics, but they both list confusion and dizziness among possible rare side effects so it can't be determined which one is responsible (or whether both). Interrupting only one of them wouldn't assure full coverage as they cover different bacteria.
As for what to do now, that depends on how many days you have been taking them, you mention only how many days are left.
Therapy duration is recommended for 7-10 days.
If you have taken them already for 5 days and were told to take them for 10 days, then you may shorten to a total of 7 days (meaning 2 more days) and stop earlier.
If on the other hand you have taken them for only 2 days then it won't do to interrupt therapy so early. The options would be either continuing for full 5 more days if the side effects are tolerable, or if you can't tolerate them try another antibiotic, a broad specter one which could be used as monotherapy (alone not in combination) such as a fluoroquinolone (levofloxacine, moxifloxacine).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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