Depletions

Taking quinolones may deplete good bacteria.

There are many types of good bacteria that live in your intestine. They help keep your digestive system healthy. Two of these bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

Good bacteria help you to:

• Fight against infections and diseases
• Digest food

Use of some medicines may deplete good bacteria. If you do not have enough probiotics in your gut, you may have:

• Gas
• Stomach problems
• Diarrhea
• More serious infections in your intestine
• Increased risk of allergies

Some foods called probiotics contain good bacteria, and can help return your gut to normal.

Editorial Note

The information presented here covers some of the nutrients that may be affected when you take certain medicines. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, it does not always mean you have low levels of these nutrients.

Factors that affect the level of nutrients are:

• Your medical history
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• How long you have been taking the medicine

Please talk to your health care provider. They can best address your health care needs and see if you are at risk for low levels of any nutrients.

Supporting Research

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-746 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Ciprofloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-127 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Lomefloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-352 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Moxifloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-2492 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Norfloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-445 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Ofloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-450 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Sparfloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-805 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Amoxicillin; Trovafloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-827 . Accessed July7, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Cinoxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-1260 . Accessed July 15, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Gatifloxacin 2015. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-727 . Accessed July 15, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Gemifloxacin 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-2789 . Accessed July 15, 2016.

Gold Standard Drug Database: Drug Monograph: Nalidixic Acid 2016. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/drug_monograph/6-s2.0-1466 . Accessed July 15, 2016.

Harrison GJ. Probiotics. In: Cherry JD, Demmler-Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 242.

Shenkin A, Roberts NB. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics . 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 31.