Antibiotic advice, please.

[Suanna]

Hi everyone, I think I may need an antibiotic soon for a chest infection. I think I read somewhere that some antibiotics are not recommended for people with AF. Is this correct? I cannot take penicillin, and Metronidazole upset me the first time I took it last year for a tooth infection. I will, of course, see what the GP says, but I thought I’d ask advice here first. Thank you.

[CDreamer]

I know of some you need to be careful if if you are on Warfarin but nothing I know of that specifically is contraindicated for AF. Sometimes you are better advised to consult with your pharmacist.

I do know that my AF flares whenever I have virus or infection. Hope you feel better soon.

Best wishes CD

[Suanna in reply to CDreamer]

I should have mentioned that I take Edoxaban. Thank you for your response.

[BobD Volunteer]

Antibiotics can affect anticoagulation so for example if on warfarin you may need to haev extra INR tests after a couple of days. I know of no other contra indication specifically re AF.

[Suanna in reply to BobD]

Thank you.

[Auriculaire in reply to BobD]

Fluoroquinolones can provoke arrythmias including afib and even worse long QT .

[wilsond]

I have had high intensity antibiotics 3 times this year,I'm on apixaban. No problems. Get well soon !

[Suanna in reply to wilsond]

Thank you.

[Thomas45]

I remember seeing somewhere that clarythromycin was contra indicated if you take Flecainide, but I may be wrong. Fortunately I have no problems with penicillin.

[Auriculaire]

My first 2 afib attacks were after taking Cipro. I would say don't take a fluoroquinolone antibiotic unless it's life or death. Do you know for sure that your chest infection is bacterial? If it is viral in origin taking an antibiotic will do nothing other than mess up your gut bacteria. You could try oregano oil capsules first . They have both antiviral and antibacterial properties.

[Suanna in reply to Auriculaire]

Thanks for the tip.

[Pjt55]

Antibiotics can affect the QT wave. I take the drug Tikasyn for rythmn control and Eliquis for blood thinner. An antibiotic along with Tikasyn can be fatal. Because of the QT wave danger, Tikasyn HAS to be started in the hospital with a 3days stay due to the dangerous QT wave deadly danger. There are many drugs that interact with the dangerous QT wave medication. Eliquis has never been a problem as far as medication interaction but Tikasyn can have a serious reaction. Especially with antibiotics. Ablation was not helpful with reducing my needed meds so I just have to watch it. Eliquis has only impacted me when I have needed surgery, spinal injections etc. It sometimes sucks but at least the rest of the time I stay in rythmn.

[Suanna in reply to Pjt55]

Thanks for the advice.

[Caro57]

I guess your GP will know about your AF. Antbiotics probably the better option to developing a pneumonia.....