Risks Of Systemic Steroids
You must be extremely careful when using systemic steroids. While some of the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs out there, they can suppress the normal steroid levels in the body. This can result in the following side effects:
- mood swings
- weight gain
- reduced ability to fight infections
- osteoporosis
- easy bruising
Thankfully, when taken responsibly in the short-term, these steroids wont cause most of the adverse effects listed above. If youve consulted with your doctor, and they deem it best for you to use this medication, its because they have gathered enough information to prescribe them to you. Another alternative to prednisone and other related systemic steroids is topical steroids, which significantly reduces the risk of running into the unwanted side effects above.
How Effective Is Doxycycline For Uti
A urinary tract infection is often caused by bacteria, and usually affects the bladder, but can spread to other areas of the body in rare cases. Many people choose to treat these infections quickly, as they can cause pain, discomfort, and frequent urination. Frequently, people take doxycycline for UTI relief, because this antibiotic medication is one of the more effective treatments available, as of 2011.
Taking doxycycline to treat a UTI does not immediately kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Instead, this medication prevents the bacteria from growing and dividing, and a personâs immune system cells can then attack the germs. For this reason, the antibiotic must be taken for a time frame of one to two weeks to be effective.
Usually, taking doxycycline for UTI treatment is the most effective when it is taken in doses of 100 milligrams to 200 mg each day. Children often take lower doses, based on their body weight. This dose is equivalent to 1 mg to 2 mg of the medication for every one pound of weight. As mentioned, the drug is normally taken for up to two weeks, although occasionally it must be taken longer to fully fight an infection.
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Warnings Of Minocycline And Doxycycline
Minocycline and doxycycline are categorized by the Food and Drug Administration as a category D drug, meaning that there is positive evidence of potential fetal risk. These drugs should be used only when there is a life-threatening risk to the mother. There is evidence of a negative impact on the skeletal development of the fetus.
The use of tetracycline antibiotics during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth to a yellow, gray, or brown color. This effect is most common with long-term use, though it has been noted with short-term use as well. When possible, the use of tetracycline antibiotics should be avoided during the last half of pregnancy through the age of 8 whenever possible.
Minocycline has been associated with Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms syndrome. This is characterized by rash, fever, and organ injury, typically liver and kidney. Some instances can be fatal.
Tetracyclines have been associated with photosensitivity. Patients are more prone to sunburn when taking these medications and should take precautions such as sun avoidance, shields, and sunscreen.
Intracranial hypertension has also been associated with the use of tetracyclines such as minocycline and doxycycline. IH may present with headache, blurred vision, diplopia, and/or vision loss. Women who are of childbearing age who are overweight have a higher risk of IH.
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What Is The Dosage Of Amoxicillin Vs Doxycycline
Amoxicillin
- For most infections in adults the dose of amoxicillin is 250 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 12 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours, depending on the type and severity of infection.
- For the treatment of adults with gonorrhea, the dose is 3 g given as one dose.
- For most infections, children older than 3 months but less than 40 kg are treated with 25 or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 or 40 mg/kg/day with one-third of the daily dose given every 8 hours depending on the type and severity of the infection.
- Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food.
Doxycycline
- The absorption of doxycycline is not markedly affected by food, and therefore, it can be taken with meals.
- For most infections, doxycycline is taken once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days.
- For adult infections, the usual dose of oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment followed by a dose of 100 to 200 mg/day as a single dose or divided and administered twice daily.
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Treatments For Sinus Infections Other Than Antibiotics
#1: Saline Nasal Wash
Saline nasal wash can be a great way to thin out the mucous in the sinuses enough to clear out the blockage. I recommend starting this early on in the course of the illness to prevent the infection from worsening.
You can even make this at home using 2 cups of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I would add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda to prevent burning that can occur with use. There are also plenty of over the counter saline nasal sprays that you can purchase. You can use this 4-6 times per day.
#2: Vaporizer
Vaporizers are great because they can also thin out the mucous and make you feel a lot better. An easy home remedy, steam is probably the best way to use this treatment. Beware if you are an asthmatic as the steam could cause worsening of the asthma symptoms.
#3: Steroid Nasal Spray
Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase have been my go to remedy recently and the great news is that they are now over the counter. The general recommendation is to use 1-2 sprays per nostril daily.
But I have found great relief using 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. At these higher doses it is important to remember that you should use this short term, no more than 5-7 days.
These medications can significantly reduce inflammation allowing the congestion blockage to clear and significantly alleviate symptoms.
#4: Decongestants
#5: Guaifenesin
Guaifenesin such as Mucinex can certainly break up the mucous, allowing the congestion to clear more quickly.
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Research Into Antibiotics And Sinus Infections
The guidelines were triggered, in part, by studies finding that antibiotics may not make a difference. About 60% to 70% of people with sinus infections recover without antibiotics, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
In one study of symptom relief, patients given antibiotics generally did no better than patients not given antibiotics.
This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, observed 240 patients with sinusitis. They were given one of four treatments: antibiotics alone, nasal steroid spray alone to reduce tissue swelling, both antibiotics and the spray, or no treatment.
Patients who got no treatment were as likely to get better than those who got the antibiotics. The nasal spray seemed to help people with less severe symptoms at the beginning of their sinus problem, and seemed to make those with more intense congestion worse.
The patients all had sinus symptoms that suggested a bacterial infection. Sinus problems are also caused by viruses, for which antibiotics definitely offer no help.
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Why Is Minocycline Bad For You
Minocycline is not necessarily bad, but it needs to be prescribed by a doctor for a specific number of days in order to treat the infection. Most antibiotics are only given for a short duration and then ceased once the patient starts to recover or shows complete recovery. This is done so that the bacteria dont become drug-resistant.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Azithromycin
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reactionor a severe skin reaction .
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
- severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness or
- liver problemsnausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain , tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting or
- stomach pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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If You Think You Have A Sinus Infection
If you feel you are experiencing sinus infection symptoms, make an appointment with your PartnerMD physician, and do not attempt to treat symptoms on your own. While you may initially be recommended OTC treatments, only your doctor can accurately diagnose your symptoms, and prescribe the right treatment for relief.
Have a question about your sinus infection symptoms? Contact us today to see if a relationship with a concierge doctor could be beneficial.
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Precautions Of Amoxicillin For Sinusitis
It is a general precautionary measure that no medicine should be taken without proper consultation with the doctor.
A person can buy Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet with only a valid prescription at the pharmacist or medical center.
Some of the things you should disclose to the doctor before taking this medicine are-
- Whether you are allergic to drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin
- Whether you have any issues in the kidneys, muscles, liver or heart
- If you have a low level of potassium or magnesium
- Whether you suffer from nausea, diarrhea or excessive sweating after taking the medicine
- Whether you are pregnant or lactating
Some precautions for special conditions before taking Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet-
How Long Do Antibiotics Take To Work On Sinus Infections
Often, sinus infections are treated with antibiotics. However, your doctor will determine the best treatment based on the root cause of your sinus infection. If antibiotics are prescribed, you may want to know how long it will be before you start to experience relief from symptoms.
Read on to find out how sinus infections are diagnosed, when your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, and how long it will take antibiotics to take effect.
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Effects Of Minocycline On Sci
Because the neuropathic pain and motor weakness that result from microglia activation are believed to trigger nociceptive hypersensitivity in SCI, minocycline could be a rational approach for treating the complications of this condition . Support for this proposition comes from the results of different studies that show that minocycline may reduce neuropathic pain after SCI. However, few data exist regarding minocyclineâs ability to promote motor recovery after SCI, rendering this possibility controversial. In rodent models of SCI, minocycline administration significantly improved both hindlimb function and strength, reduced the gross lesion size in the spinal cord and induced axonal sparing. Minocycline-treated mice demonstrated superior behavioural recovery than that shown by methylprednisolone-treated mice, the approved treatment for acute SCI in humans . In rats with SCI, minocycline inhibited the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, markedly enhancing long-term hindlimb locomotion . More recently, Saganováet al. showed that both short- and long-term treatment with minocycline had a neuroprotective effect on the spinal cord rostral to the injury epicentre. Previous data had indicated that minocycline exerts a protective effect on white matter and motor neuron number at sites both rostral, but also caudal, to the lesion epicentre .
What Is A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis
Inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose is referred to as sinusitis. Sinusitis can be caused by infection , but also can be caused by allergy and chemical irritation of the sinuses. A sinus infection occurs when a virus, bacterium, or fungus grows within a sinus.
Sinusitis is one of the more common conditions that can afflict people throughout their lives. Sinusitis commonly occurs when environmental pollens irritate the nasal passages, such as with hay fever. Sinusitis can also result from irritants, such as chemicals or the use and/or abuse of over-the-counter nasal sprays, and illegal substances that may be snorted or inhaled through the nose. About 30 million adults have sinusitis. Colds differ from sinusitis and are only caused by viruses and last about seven to 10 days while sinusitis may have many different causes , and usually last longer with more pronounced and variable symptoms.
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Sinus Anatomy And Function
1. Benson V, Marano MA. Current estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1992. Vital Health Stat. 1994 189:1269….
2. McCaig LF, Hughes JM. Trends in antimicrobial drug prescribing among office-based physicians in the United States. JAMA. 1995 273:2149.
3. Bamberger DM. Antimicrobial treatment of sinusitis. Semin Respir Infect. 1991 6:7784.
4. Dingle JH, Bodger GF, Jordan WS Jr. Illness in the home: a study of 25,000 illnesses in a group of Cleveland families. Cleveland Press: Case Western Reserve University, 1964:347.
5. Wald ER. Sinusitis in children. N Engl J Med. 1992 326:31923.
6. Hinriksdottir I, Melen I. Allergic rhinitis and upper respiratory tract infections. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1994 515:302.
7. Gwaltney JM Jr, Scheld WM, Sande MA, Sydnor A. The microbial etiology and antimicrobial therapy of adults with acute community-acquired sinusitis: a fifteen-year experience at the University of Virginia and review of other selected studies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992 90:45761.
8. Winther B, Gwaltney JM. Therapeutic approach to sinusitis: anti-infectious therapy as the baseline of management. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 103:8769.
9. Evans FO Jr, Sydnor JB, Moore WE, Moore GR, Manwaring JL, Brill AH, et al. Sinusitis of the maxillary antrum. N Engl J Med. 1975 293:7359.
10. Evans KL. Diagnosis and management of sinusitis. BMJ. 1994 309:141522.
What Are The Side Effects
Doxycycline may not be appropriate for everyone. Anyone who has previously had a serious reaction to doxycycline or any other tetracycline should avoid doxycycline.
During tooth development, which occurs in the second half of pregnancy, in infancy, and childhood up to 8 years old, doxycycline may cause permanent tooth discoloration. Teeth may become a yellow-gray-brown color.
Doctors must evaluate the risks and benefits of prescribing doxycycline to young children or women during pregnancy.
Some people may develop Clostridium difficilediarrhea when taking doxycycline. This intestinal infection can range from mild to fatal.
The following table lists the possible side effects of doxycycline by body system.
| Body system |
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Why Do I Keep Getting Sinus Infections
sinus infectioninfectionsinus infectionsProblemssinusessinuses
Doxycycline In Treating Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
| The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
| Recruitment Status : Terminated First Posted : October 6, 2015Results First Posted : January 9, 2018Last Update Posted : January 9, 2018 |
- Study Details
| Drug: DoxycyclineDrug: methylprednisoloneDrug: nasal saline sprayDrug: FlonaseDrug: sugar pill | Phase 2 |
| Study Type : |
| Triple |
| Primary Purpose: |
| The Role of Doxycycline in Management of Moderate to Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps |
| Study Start Date : |
0- Absence of nasal polyps
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What Is Azithromycin And How Does It Work
Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections . It is a macrolide-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
This medication will not work for viral infections . Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.
Azithromycin is available under the following different brand names: Zithromax, and Zmax.
Susceptible organisms
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Afipia felis, Arachnia propionica, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, Bordetella pertussis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia recurrentis, Klebsiella granulomatis, Campylobacter jejuni, Chlamydia pneumoniae , Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus ducreyi, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella spp, Mycobacterium simiae, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium xenopi, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus , Streptococcus agalactiae , Streptococcus bovis , Streptococcus intermedius group , Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes , viridans streptococci
- First-line therapy: A felis, B henselae, B quintana, B pertussis, C jejuni, C pneumoniae , C trachomatis, H ducreyi, H influenzae, Legionella spp, M scrofulaceum, M simiae, M xenopi, N gonorrhoeae
- 500 mg/day orally for 3 days or 2 g orally once
Pediatric: Zmax: 2g orally once
- 10 mg/kg of oral suspension orally once daily for 3 days