Is my antibiotic safe??????

Amber - posted on 01/02/2011

That link was very helpful, thank you all for your advice. My blood work was done on the 17th of Dec. and they called on the 30th to tell me I had a UTI (probably a reason I was given a strong antibiotic)

Kate CP - posted on 12/31/2010

Nikki: Yes, it's a US site. I dunno why it's different, though. I wonder if there's a site like that for you Aussies?

Nikki - posted on 12/31/2010

@Kate I just had a look at the website you posted a link for, I am presuming it's a US site? I checked a few drugs and we have very different ratings for them here is Australia, I wonder why? For instance codeine is now a cat A drug in Aus but it's a cat C on the site. Strange.

Nikki - posted on 12/31/2010

You need to discuss your concerns with your doctor. I had a UTI while pregnant, and it was quite severe, category A antibiotics didn't work so I was put on a course of Category B. (my daughter is fine) UTI's can be very dangerous while pregnant, they can cause miscarriage and premature labour, so you need to discuss your options with a medical professional rather than deciding not to take the meds because you are worried. Good luck.

Callie - posted on 12/30/2010

I would suggest also talking to your pharmacist. They know even more about pharmaceuticals than your doctor does. After all that's what the went to school for. Just curious, you said your doc prescribed the med. Is that your OB or just your GP doc? If it's your OB she'll know what you can take or can't while you're pregnant. If it's a GP I'd definitely check into it. They don't deal with pregnancy on a regular basis and sometime stuff like this can slip by.

Bonnie - posted on 12/30/2010

Most medications can have negative effects during pregnancy, but does your doctor know you are pregnant? If he/she does, your doctor would probably be more sure to prescribe you something they feel is most safe at this time.

Kate CP - posted on 12/30/2010

Since you are very early on in your pregnancy it is considered a class B drug. http://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?...

However, from this point on in your pregnancy your doctor will probably want to prescribe penicillin-based antibiotics as these are safer for women who are closer to term.

Rebecca - posted on 12/30/2010

UTI's are not to be messed with when you are pregnant. I would find an antibiotic that you are comfortable with (Macrobid is one that work well for my UTI's since I am allergic to the antibiotic class you are taking-"sulfa" drugs make me barf) and be open with your doc. I've never had the (sorry Laura) cranberry thing work, it always leads to just having to take antibiotics later and the infection getting worse. You don't want that kind of pain with the normal uncomfortable things you experience in early pregnancy.

As well, if you are in pain, there is a drug called Pyridium that helps with the stinging. I believe my doc said it was okay to take with my pregnancy but check. People don't always know they can ask for something to help ease the pain until the antibiotics work.

I would also make sure you follow through with a culture of your urine. If the antibiotics don't work for whatever reason, then they will know what antibiotic will work best for the specific bacteria you have in your system.

Amber - posted on 12/30/2010

Thanks so much! I feel a lot better about it now.

Laura - posted on 12/30/2010

All medications have the potential to be dangerous. Overdoses and allergic reactions are the most common ways they become dangerous. If used as directed by your doctor medications can be life-saving as well! You have been prescribed this particular medication by your doctor to treat a very specific problem, most likely because it is a safe choice for pregnant women. The medication is used short-term; this means that you only take it for a very brief period of time. Becuase you are using a commonly prescribed antibiotic for a very short period of time and your doctor knows of your pregnancy, I think you are safe using it, IMO.

If, however, you really don't want to use the antibiotic, tell your doctor this. In the meantime, you can try drinking pure, unsweetened cranberry juice daily or use cranberry supplements to try and clear up the UTI. This method can take a lot longer to clear it up, though, and is no guarantee that it will do so. Hope this helps and good luck!