Penicillin 2

[Hooby]

I have a query Sqab, the first lot of penicillin I had ( flucloxacillin ) says it works best on an empty stomach and to take in between meals. This new penicillin I'm on ( co - amoxiclav ) says to eat with meals.... Do you know why they are different like that? Thanks .

[Old_Geezer]

Sqab :-D

[Mamyalynne]

It may well be that the inclusion of Clavulanic acid
in this antibiotic makes it preferable to be taken this way.

[Hooby]

Ooops, sorry about the typo, it should be : Sqad

[Hooby]

Ok, thanks Mamyalynne

[Sqad]

No I don't know why as ALL penicillins should be taken on an empty stomach.
Never heard of Clavulanic acid.

It matters not Hooby, as the management of your case with any penicillin is not appropriate in my opinion.
YOu need daily dressings of steroid/antibiotic drops and the ear cleaning with suction.
If you can afford it , then go to see a private ENT surgeon.

[Peter Pedant]

// Never heard of Clavulanic acid. //
erm I think it blocks penicillinase but has no penicillin activity itself

stomach irritation ?

clav - from basic pharm, you wd expect an antagonist to have some agonist activity since they have to be like molecules - but there you go. exciting news on DNA blocking today as well

[Hooby]

The tablet info sheet says : sometimes the penicillin can be stopped from working ( made inactive ) by the bacteria and so they add the clavulanic acid as stops this from happening, so the penicillin can then work.

[Hooby]

Hi, here's an update sqad: I've still got the pain in the base of my outer ear canal. The discharge has slowed down but not stopped. The Dr says the ear drum is not perforated and is intact but he can't understand why 2 weeks on 2 different types of penicillin hasn't worked. My ear swab didn't give any clues. He's given me more ear drops ( gentamicin ) and says if they don't help by next week then it's time to see a specialist. It's been well over a month now. ☹️

[Sqad]

Antibiotics by mouth was not the treatment to choice from the srart in my opinion and you should have had the drops which you are having now.
I am not surprised that it is lasting so long.....Gentamycin is the correct medication.
Thanks for the update Hooby.

[Hooby]

That's ok sqad, it's only right to update you after all of the advice you have given. Thanks for that. I hope these ear drops work now!

[Hooby]

Another update sqad, before I'm back at the drs tomorrow: The swelling and drainage has reduced alot, the surrounding area feels a lot better and drier.... But, the site of the pain is still there ( 5 weeks now ). I'm still using the gentamicin drops. My partner had a look in my ear and said it looks a lot better and cleaner, but there is now a pink raised lump that wasn't there last week ( he says it looks water filled ) and no one had seen it before. The pain isn't as intense as it was, but there still is a constant ache with a sharp pang every so often. I'm back at the drs tomorrow, but just wanted to update you and was intrigued to hear what you thought the pink lump could be? A cyst? Thanks, it's appreciated.

[Sqad]

That "pink lump" could well be the death throws of a furuncle ( boil) in the outer ear canal and when that bursts, your problems should be over.
Painful condition associated with trying times because in the outer ear, the furuncle has little room to expand.

[Hooby]

Thanks sqad. You've mentioned a furuncle a few times, non of the medics have mentioned that. I hope it does clear up. Thanks again, and for the Swift response. :-)

[Sqad]

LOL...ask them.

"Hey Doc, could it have been a furuncle?"

The would have to go to the internet..;-)

[Hooby]

:-D you're right.. ;-)