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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can C.Difficile Infection Be Treated?

the patient has had past experience of c-dificil problems, used vancomycin. worked good. now pt. is being prescribed cipro for 10 days for a different infect.. also, put on vancomycin for 5 days. pt. believes she should be on the vancomycin for the entire 10 days to counteract the bad effects of cipro. is this okay? right?
Mon, 23 Apr 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

C difficile is a difficult infection to treat, but at the same time, it must be diagnosed carefully to ensure one doesn't develop an antibiotic resistant strain of C difficile.

Cipro and vancomycin are different types on antibiotics and they play different roles. Vancomycin is generally given for 5 days and it does nothing to counteract the effects of cipro.

Therefore, it is my opinion that the patient takes the antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. The bad effects of cipro like gastritis and diarrhea are due to an alteration in gut flora. This can be counteracted by consuming probiotics like lactobacillus. You could aslo increase yogurt consumption.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan
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How Can C.Difficile Infection Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. C difficile is a difficult infection to treat, but at the same time, it must be diagnosed carefully to ensure one doesn t develop an antibiotic resistant strain of C difficile. Cipro and vancomycin are different types on antibiotics and they play different roles. Vancomycin is generally given for 5 days and it does nothing to counteract the effects of cipro. Therefore, it is my opinion that the patient takes the antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. The bad effects of cipro like gastritis and diarrhea are due to an alteration in gut flora. This can be counteracted by consuming probiotics like lactobacillus. You could aslo increase yogurt consumption. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan