Questions - Infectious Diseases Message Board

jerrie97 · 01-21-2004, 03:45 PM

Can taking cholestyramine while on antibiotics prevent C. diff colitis? The reason I ask is because of chronic lung infections and frequent antibiotic usage. I've been on antibiotics 10+ times this year.

Also, is there any chance that I'd be approved for inhaled Tobramycin? I know it's only indicated for CF patients, but my infectious disease doctor suggested it..

Bruce · 01-22-2004, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimfast989

Can taking cholestyramine while on antibiotics prevent C. diff colitis? The reason I ask is because of chronic lung infections and frequent antibiotic usage. I've been on antibiotics 10+ times this year.

Also, is there any chance that I'd be approved for inhaled Tobramycin? I know it's only indicated for CF patients, but my infectious disease doctor suggested it..

The answer to your first question is no. The drug of choice is oral Vancomycin to treat C. difficle toxin. This disorder has the potential to be a serious infection, including intestinal bleeding.

Tobramycin is used for serious gram negative bacilli infections, To inhale the drug you need a clear, plastic tent plus a device that would produce a mist.
This procedure is commonly used in hospitals, especially the pediatric ward for cf patients.

Bruce · 01-22-2004, 09:14 AM

I forgot one more antibiotic used for C. diff. toxin, metronidazole (Flagyl)

Ratatosk · 01-22-2004, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

Tobramycin is used for serious gram negative bacilli infections, To inhale the drug you need a clear, plastic tent plus a device that would produce a mist. This procedure is commonly used in hospitals, especially the pediatric ward for cf patients.

We use it via a nebulizer -- my son has pseudamonas a. They're very specifiic on the type of neb cup to use. Treatments take about 25-30 minutes, so the whole room gets foggy. He's supposed to inhale it by mouth and nose clips are provided; however, he's not even a year old, so we use a mask. He's on for 28 days, then off for 28. Guess there've been some studies that show if used in small children before the age of 6, tobi can actually irradicate the infection.

jerrie97 · 01-22-2004, 02:26 PM

I thought that cholestyramine binded to Clostridium difficile and got it out of the system quicker. Or something.

Haemophilus influenzae is gram-negative, right? This is what I'm always growing, sometimes with Strep pneumoniae.