Parker Waichman LLP

Antibiotics Can Disrupt Digestive Tract

The overuse of antibiotics is making the news again. This time, a newly released study is indicating that not only does the antibiotic commonly known as Cipro upset the bacterial balance in the digestive system, but those effects seem to be more long-lasting that first believed, reports The Canadian Press. “You don’t want to be […]

Antibiotics

The overuse of antibiotics is making the news again. This time, a newly released study is indicating that not only does the antibiotic commonly known as Cipro upset the bacterial balance in the digestive system, but those effects seem to be more long-lasting that first believed, reports The Canadian Press.

“You don’t want to be giving readers the impression that we shouldn’t be using antibiotics (when needed),” Dr. David Relman, senior author of the study told the Canadian Press.

However, his study found that digestive effects from Cipro, and the negative symptoms of those effects, were still present in healthy patients six months after cessation of antibiotic treatment.

The study, which was published this week in the journal PLoS Biology, found that at the six month mark, “good” bacteria in the digestive tract were either present at decreased levels or not at all present.

According to the Canadian Press report, Relman did agree that “we do overuse antibiotics” and that digestive disruption is “the flip side. It’s the trade-off part.”

Relman is an infectious diseases specialist at Stanford University

Relman is an infectious diseases specialist at Stanford University and the Veteran Affairs Hospital at Palo Alto, California.

He conducted the study—funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the U.S. National Institutes of Health—with a team of colleagues, said the Canadian Press.

The study noted that because antibiotics cannot target one bacteria while ignoring others, people can develop problems such as yeast infections or the diarrheal illness, C. difficile, from taking them.

According to the Canadian Press, Relman’s team worked with three volunteers and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, known as Cipro, which is considered the mildest of antibiotics when it comes to flora disruption.  All three volunteers received one course of treatment with Cipro.

The team “collected stool samples from their volunteers before they started, during treatment, and for months after,” reported The Canadian Press.

Although the study continues, actually extending out one year, and includes other volunteers, the article in PLoS Biology only refers to the first six months of study, said The Canadian Press. Over that time, the researchers found that “the diversity in bacterial types” decreased by “about one-third.”

About 30 percent of all of the strains and species that we could see were disrupted

The large reduction surprised the team, according to Relman, who was also quoted by The Canadian Press as saying, “We find that Cipro was more disruptive than we had thought….  About 30 percent of all of the strains and species that we could see were disrupted. And most of them were … either knocked out or knocked down.”

Both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America have published guidelines meant to minimize the spread of the C. diff superbug that include avoiding the overuse of antibiotics.

Coincidentally, earlier this month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that cases of the C. diff diarrhea bug have been seen in all 50 states.

Need Legal Help Regarding Antibiotics?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations.
For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Our Cipro side effect attorneys are here to help you when you need it the most.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I have been working with Tina for about a year and a half. She is a wonderful person and a true professional. I can't thank her enough.
Mike Antidormi
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I highly recommend Parker Waichman LLP for your legal needs and concerns .Especially Mrs Gina Viti, who worked to get me an award from my 9/11 related illness. Mrs Viti was nothing but professional ,but above all that , she was compassionate, understanding and listened to my story with interest and attention. I felt like she took a personal interest in my case and I felt like I was dealing with a friend looking to help me, more than an attorney just going through the motions. She has experience and knowledge in her profession and she is an asset to the law firm. I cannot thank her and the law firm enough.
michael gug
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I liked how they treated me today, excellent service, keep it up I give you 5 stars, Jorge, Julie, Maryann deserve it
Alexander Morales
2 months ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038