1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Antibiotics

Posted , 5 users are following.

mary238
mary238

I have been prescribed antibiotics, Please could you tell me if there are any complications with steroids. Thankyou

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH mary238

    Posted

    It depends what antibiotic it is. You should never take a member of the QUINOLONE family of antibiotics alongside any form of prednisone/prednisolone and especially methylprednisolone (Medrol) as it can cause inflammation of the achilles tendon. It happened to me despite both the doctor and pharmacist knowing I was on Medrol and I ended up on crutches for 9 months!

    Quinolones usually have substance names that end in -oxacin and probably the most commonly used in the UK is ciprofloxacin (brand names are Cipro, Ciproxin, Ciprobay amongst others). Ask the pharmacist (not the counter staff) if you aren't sure but make sure you have mentioned quinolones and pred - because obviously some pharmacists can't manage to add 2 and 2 together! The GP said "I knew about it but I've never seen it before" - very helpful!

    There is also a problem with some MACROLIDE antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin amongst others).

    So do check with the pharmacist as to what your GP has given you.

    • Mrs_CJ
      Mrs_CJ EileenH

      Posted

      Anything different I should do while taking antibiotics (amoxicillin clavulin for sinusitis)?  Allergy doctor thinks I have had a low grade sinus infection for a long time - maybe years.  Been on antibiotics for 4 weeks and probably a couple more weeks. I have been trying to reduce from 4 1/2 mg Pred to 4 mg using your slow reduction plan but am feeling worse (mainly increased fatigue). I'm thinking I should just go back to 4 1/2 mg until this infection is dealt with.  But I think I read somewhere on this forum that sometimes you should increase your Pred when you have an infection?  I'm reluctant to do that because a side effect I get is brain fog. Or maybe I should experiment with some kind of alternating pattern of 4 1/2 and 5?  Would appreciate any suggestions! 
    • EileenH
      EileenH Mrs_CJ

      Posted

      Never attempt a reduction when you are ill, whatever it is. All infections or injuries put stress on your body and - as you say - you may need more rather than less pred. 5mg may be plenty - and if you just take it for a few days you can drop back to where you were quite quickly.

      Also at this level your adrenals are having to kick back in to keep you feeling really good so take your time about drops for some time. Some doctors keep patients at 5mg for months, up to 6-9 months, before continuing with reductions. That is really to let your body catch up and marking time for a few months now may pay off in the future. Even if you are off pred altogether it can take a year to feel back to normal - and a few ladies on the forums have commented about how there is a definite improvement now they have been off pred for about a year. 

      Don't rush - especially if you are not well and needing antibiotics.

  • erika59785
    erika59785 mary238

    Posted

    Hi Mary, I have taken amoxicillin while taking prednisone.  It did not cause a problem for me.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.