Antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis: are they less common with poorly absorbed antimicrobials?
Diarrhea is a well-known complication of antibiotic therapy. Rates of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) vary from 5 to 25%. Some antibiotics are more likely to cause diarrhea than others, specifically, those that are broad spectrum and those that target anaerobic flora. This paper reviews the effects of antibiotics on the fecal flora as well as host factors which contribute to AAD. Clinical features and treatment of AAD are also described. Prevention of AAD rests on wise antibiotic policies, the use of probiotics and prevention of acquisition in the hospital setting. Data from clinical trials suggest that poorly absorbed antimicrobials might have a decreased risk of causing AAD and Clostridium difficile-associated disease, as concluded from studies of antibiotics used for preoperative bowel decontamination and poorly absorbed antibiotics used for traveler's diarrhea. Controlled trials would prove this but are not yet available. Probiotics may be a good adjunct to poorly absorbed antibiotics to minimize the risk of diarrhea associated with antibiotics.
Surawicz
Christina M
CM
Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. surawicz@u.washington.edu
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D014640:Vancomycin