Antibiotics

[debster913]

Hi, all--

Just thought of this, as I was talking to a friend I haven't seen in a while and we were talking about going to the dentist (I have a bite adj. next week due to grinding). Anyway, my friend Kelly also has mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation (lucky for her, her cardio doesn't think she'll ever need a valve replacement) and like the rest of us, needs to take antibiotics before her dental procedures. We were talking today and she's a bit frustrated/concerned about dental visits. What happened was she took her antibiotics (1000mg biaxin) before her scheduled dental cleaning, but when she arrived at her appointment, her cleaning was canceled because the hygenist left for some kind of emergency. Kelly rescheduled for this past Friday, and because she was 15 mins. late, her appointment was given away.

Kelly expressed concern to me about taking antibiotics like this and not needing them after all because her two cleanings were canceled. I know that overusing antibiotics can cause problems later because of bacteria mutating and getting stronger, but is this anything to be concerned about? I've also experienced this a while back (probably about four years ago) when my cleaning was canceled after I took my antibiotics. She's concerned that when she really does need the antibiotics, they won't work.

Any advice on what to tell her?
Thanks,
Debi (debster913)

 

[aussiemember]

Hi Debi -

I'm not sure of the validity of this but my GP says antibiotics taken within a month of each other - ie. 2 dental visits, 2 weeks apart or something - should be varied (as in a different antibiotic taken the second time) as using the same one twice this close together reduces the efficiency of it. I've never asked my cardiologist about this so can't confirm if this is accurate or not - but it is an interesting point you make.

Anyone else been told this??

 

[Ross]

Moving to anticoagulation so that Al Lodwick may address this question.