Are antibiotics dangerous for the kidneys?

[hairyfairy]

Iv`e recently read on another website that antibiotics can harm the kidneys. How much truth is there in this? I`m alarmed by this because Iv`e had to have several courses of amoxilin & metronidazole in the past 2 years for infections.

[Nutbrownhare]

Speaking as someone who has had repeated kidney infections all their life I would say antibiotics are preferable to the damage that infections can cause to the kidneys. In the last 13 years I have had infections every 8-12 weeks requiring antibiotics and have seen my kidney function drop as a result. However, for the last 10 months I have been on antibiotics everyday as a preventative and the lease of life I have had is unbelievable. I have gone back to work for the first time in 13 years, not to mention a reduction in all my other symptoms.

I personally live in fear for the day that they (the antibiotics) actually stop working. As to my kidney function it hasn't improved but so far neither has it decreased. What I have found is that I now need to take vitamin B12 everyday as the antibiotics interfere with it.

So whilst there are drawbacks to antibiotics they are perhaps the lesser of the two problems.

[phillen]

i agree with Nutbrownhare infections are far more damaging to the kidneys than antibiotics are some are better than others my husband had infections & has now taken 1 co amoxyclav for about 4 years now & it keeps them at bay the more modern ones are kinder your gp should know which ones to use! Trimethorpin is a widely used one!

[pluto94]

As with all medication there are risks , If you are stage 5 or on dialysis is when the renal consultants recommend if you require antibiotics for anything that you take a lower dose for a longer period of time , This is purely due to the fact your system does not clear un wanted things and toxins from the system as well. Antibiotics are used to prevent worse effects on the body . My mum had a transplant 22 years ago and has been taking a maintenance dose antibiotic since her transplant happened , she also regularly requires other antibiotics for chest infections which are not having any adverse effects on her transplant..

[wingsofadove]

I was given Clarithromycin for an upper respiratory infection and reacted very badly to it. On consulting my GP she said I should never have been prescribed it having CKD, and they would be very careful in future (I am Stage 3 and take a daily low dose of Trimethoprim) If I get a bad urinary infection I am usually given Erythromycin which I can tolerate. I do require Metronidazole for severe diverticulitis from time to time but it does not seem to affect me. I will wait until I need it again and then query it just in case. I don't think you have any great cause for alarm. Antibiotics are necessary from time to time provided you are given one with no bad reactions towards CKD. Cheers.

[ambushed]

I have heard there were a few. I usually Google these things. I am thinking possibly cephalexin & maybe another one. But don't quotemeon that! Definitely continue to research which one-click do harm. I do know that the possibility of harm to certain people can be higher than others. For some reason certain bodies or systems react differently. Good luck.

[cmcginily]

Hi There,

The answer is yes certain antibiotics can cause problems but your GP will know which ones are 'what are known as renal sparing', such as ciprofloxacin. Just remind them that you have a problem and they will think before just prescribing the most common antibiotic for treating the specific problem. Hope this helps.

[robson38]

Hi I have been taking Ciproflaxacin for the last four months every day only 250mg but has stopped my infections being severe and admitted to hospital every 8 weeks. this tablet keeps the infections at bay and from being so severe. I have in the past been on cephalexin for long periods of time but was okay. good luck with treatment