Senior UCer, root canal antibiotic Q

Calling Quincy, and others: Have been allergic to penicillins since childhood + other antibiotics mess with my colon big time, except for Z-pack. However, azithromycin warnings state that it can be dicey for seniors, bringing on heart rhythm problems. I did well with Z-pack for dental procedures 2012-18 (about 3 uses); then last fall it seemed to cause me some cardiac palpitations-- especially after supper. I didn't think a whole lot about that at the time, but now remember that my BP had also registered higher than usual at a couple medical offices toward the end of 2019-- so, about a month-6 weeks after I took Z-pack 250 mg x 6 tabs. *** My Q here is: what Rx antibiotic has Penicillin-allergic senior forum members tolerated well post-root canal treatment? (I recall from past posts that some can tolerate Clindamycin, but it gives me ferocious right-side cramps + D). Gastro hasn't been helpful lately with advice + my primary care MD left so I can't consult there. I did take Florestor for past Clindamycin issue, but still hope to find a better alternative. / Old Hat (40 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Old Hat, like you I am allergic to penicillin & a few others. I'm 67 with cardiac issues & never have trouble with a Zpack. I am given the 5 day pack. I have also taken Bactrim for UTI's & did fine. However, I cannot do Clindamycin, it tore me up by day 2 & it's a strong antibiotic. I do take Floraster while on any antibiotic.

I hope you find something you can tolerate.

Hi Old Hat,

I have been allergic to penicillin since a child and the doctor seem to think I may have grown out of the allergy however we don’t risk it and continue to avoid penicillin. This summer I had an infection in my foot caused by a huge cut. I had to go on antibiotics and I am also allergic to erythromycin. The doctors seemed to put me easily on Keflex which is also called Cephlex.

I did fine on it and I used a heavy duty extra probiotic spaced out appropriately. In fact I feel as though my stool was even better than I was before I was on the antibiotics, it may be due to the probiotics?

Old Hat, I took mine at lunch every day. It upset my stomach too much trying to take it on an empty stomach. I typically eat lunch around 11:30 because I don't do breakfast. My lunch may be breakfast, I just make sure I take it on a full stomach. I also wait a couple of hours to take the Floraster.

Yes, my last z-pack was the pink colored too. I hate it when the drug stores do this. I run into this with my BP meds, changing color & shape of the pills. Sometimes they will note it on the label the change, but not always. I call the pharmacy & ask questions, lol.

Thanks for details, Straydog. RE Cipro, Champ, I had the worst experience of my UC "career" 12 yrs post-DX, when I got a staph infection while on Cortenemas, and doctor gave me Cipro! It killed the staph, TG, but it nearly collapsed the lumen of my colon on left-side. Then I had to take the dreaded Prednisone starting at 40 mg daily-- to remedy that! Very scary chain-of-events! I wish our gastros would figure out exactly which beneficial microbes we should have in the gut-- so that we could always avoid trouble there from antibiotics when they're needed to treat other conditions. / Old Hat