Depletions > Antibiotic Medications, Macrolides
Antibiotic Medications
Macrolides

Depletions
Probiotics; Bifidobacteria bifidum; Lactobacillus Acidophilus; Saccaromyces boulardii

Reducing the number of probiotic organisms in the gastrointestinal tract may decrease the body's ability to resist infections and diseases. Symptoms of deficiency include gas, abdominal distress, diarrhea, and yeast infections.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency may include cracks at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the skin, growth retardation, and impaired wound healing.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Low levels of folic acid have been linked to anemia, heart disease, birth defects, and colon cancer.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are rare because it takes years to develop complications associated with long-term depletion of this nutrient. Irritability, weakness, numbness, anemia, loss of appetite, headache, personality changes, and confusion are some of the signs and symptoms associated with vitamin B12 depletion. Low levels of this vitamin may also be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, and birth defects.

Vitamin H (Biotin)

Low levels of biotin are associated with changes in skin color, inflammation of the skin, hair loss, muscle pain, anemia, loss of appetite, depression, insomnia, and elevated levels of cholesterol.

Vitamin K

The major symptom of vitamin K deficiency is an inability of the blood to clot properly, which may lead to excessive bleeding and a tendency to bruise easily.

Editorial Note

Supporting Research

Albert MJ, Mathan VI, Baker SJ. Vitamin B12 synthesis by human small intestinal bacteria. Nature. 1980;283(5749):781-782.

Ames BN. Micronutrient deficiencies: A major cause of DNA damage. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2000;889:87-106.

Beaugerie L. [Diarrhea caused by antibiotic therapy]. Rev Prat. 1996;46(2):171-176.

Berger W. Incidence of severe side effects during therapy with sulfonylureas and biguanides. Horm Metab Res Suppl. 1985;15:111-115.

Brismar B, Edlund C, Nord CE, et al. Comparative effects of clarithromycin and erythromycin on the normal intestinal microflora. Scand J Infect Dis. 1991;23(5):635-642.

Carpentier JL, Bury J, Luyckx A, Lefebvre P. Vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels in diabetics under various therapeutic regimens. Diabetes Metab. 1976;2(4):187-190.

Conly J, Stein K. Reduction of vitamin K2 concentrations in human liver associated with the use of broad spectrum antimicrobials. Clin Invest Med. 1994;17(6):531-539.

Covington T, ed. Nonprescription Drug Therapy Guiding Patient Self-Care. St Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons; 1999: 467-545.

Edlund C, Beyer G, Hiemer-Bau M, et al. Comparative effects of moxifloxacin and clarithromycin on the normal intestinal microflora. Scand J Infect Dis. 2000;32(1):81-85.

Galland L. The Four Pillars of Healing. New York, NY: Random House; 1997:186-199.

Gorenek L, Dizer U, Besirbellioglu B, et al. The diagnosis and treatment of clostridium difficile in antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Hepatogastroenterol. 1999;46(25):343-348.

Hill MJ. Intestinal flora and endogenous vitamin synthesis. Eur J Cancer Prev. 1997;6(Suppl 1):S43-S45.

Lim KS, Huh CS, Baek YJ. Antimicrobial susceptibility of bifidobacteria. J Dairy Sci. 1993;76(8):2168-2174.

Nord CE, Heimdahl A, Kager L. Antimicrobial induced alterations of the human oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1986;49:64-72.

Nord CE. The effect of antimicrobial agents on the ecology of the human intestinal microflora. Vet Microbiol. 1993;35(3-4):193-197.

Powers HJ. Current knowledge concerning optimum nutritional status of riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine. Proc Nutr Soc. 1999;58(2):435-440.

Stieger R, Baumgartner K, Neff U. [Dangerous hypothrombinemic hemorrhage in antibiotic therapy]. Helv Chir Acta. 1992;58(6):775-778.

Uchino U, Kanayama A, Hasegawa M, et al. [Effects of azithromycin on fecal flora of healthy adult volunteers]. Jpn J Antibio. 1995;48(9):1119-1130.

Review Date: October 2000
Reviewed By: All depletions monographs have been reviewed by a team of experts including Derrick M. DeSilva, Jr., MD, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ; Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Harvard University and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc., Boston, MA; John Hinze, PharmD, NMD, Woodbine, IA; Ruth Marlin, MD, Medical Director and Director of Medical Education, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito, CA; Brian T Sanderoff, PD, BS in Pharmacy, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy; President, Your Prescription for Health, Owings Mills, MD; Leonard Wisneski, MD, FACP, George Washington University, Rockville, MD; Ira Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, President and Chairman, Hawaii State Consortium for Integrative Medicine, Honolulu, HI.