Antibiotics for Bronchitis: Common Types, Side Effects and Drug Interactions.
Amoxicillin
The first of the antibiotics for bronchitis, amoxicillin is part of the penicillin antibiotic family. Common side effects of amoxicillin include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, vaginal itching or discharge, headache,and swollen or irritated tongue. Serious side effects can indicate and allergic reaction to amoxicillin and may include difficulty breathing, skin rash and swelling in the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
Drugs that contradict with amoxicillin include probenecid, some blood thinners, other antibiotics, and sulfa drugs. This medication can also make birth control pills uneffective while it is being taken.
Patients who are allergic to related antibiotics, such as penicillin, ampicillin, dicloxacillin and oxacillin, should not take this medication.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is in the macrolide antibiotics drug group. Possible side effects of azithromycin include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nervousness and insomnia, vaginal itching and discharge, skin itching or rash, ringing in ears or other hearing problems and a decreased sense of taste or smell. More serious side effects could indicate an allergic reaction.
There are many drugs that can interact with azithromycin. These include digoxin, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, phenytoin, pimozide, theophylline, triazolam and warfarin. Calcium channel blockers, medications used to lower cholesterol, ergot medications, HIV medications, other antibiotics and birth control pills can also interfere with this medication.
There is a risk of allergic reaction to this antibiotic, so people who have had allergic reactions to similar drugs, including erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and troleandomycin.
Clarithromycin
Like azithromycin, clarithromycin is in the marolide antibiotics group of drugs. Side effects of clarithromycin include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, unpleasant taste in mouth (usually metallic), tooth discoloration, dizziness, headache, anxiety and confusion, skin rash and vaginal itching or discharge.
The medications cisapride, pimozide and ergot medications can all interact with clarithromycin and cause a life-threatening heart arrhythmia.
There is also a risk of allergic reaction to clarithromycin, so it should not be taken by people who have had an allergic reaction to azithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin or troleandomycin.
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a type of tetracycline antibiotic. Side effects of doxycycline include swollen tongue and trouble swallowing, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, white patches on the mouth and lips, sores or swelling in rectal and/or genital areas and vaginal itching or discharge.
This medication can cause sensitivity to the sun, so it is important to wear sunscreen and protective clothing. In addition, iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids and laxatives should not be taken two hours before or after taking this antibiotic.
People who are allergic to doxycycline or similiar medications, including demeclocycline, minocycline, and tetracycline should not use doxycycline.
Erythromycin
Erythromycin belongs to the macrolide family of antibiotics. Side effects of this antibiotic include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, fatigue, vaginal itching or discharge and skin itching or rash.
The most important medications to avoid taking with erthromycin are cisapride and pimozide as this combination can cause dangerous heart rhythm disorders. There are a number of medications that interact with erthromycin. These include bromocriptine, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, quinidinem, sildenafil, tacrolimus, theophylline, verapamil, vinblastine, alprazolam and triazolam. Blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs and other antibiotics can also interact with erythromycin.
Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Combination
The last of the antibiotics for bronchitis in this list is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination. This is a synthetic antibacterial combination drug. It is usually used to treat a more chronic bronchitis in adults. The most common side effects of this medication include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
This medication should not be taken by patients who have a sensitivity or allergy to rimethoprim or sulfonamides.
References
https://www.drugs.com/amoxicillin.html
https://www.drugs.com/azithromycin.html
https://www.drugs.com/clarithromycin.html
https://www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html
https://www.drugs.com/erythromycin.html
https://www.drugs.com/pro/sulfamethoxazole-and-trimethoprim.html
