Antibiotics cause neurological damage?

[Literophile]

I am very susceptible to staph and MRSA and have taken many rigorous antibiotics for it. I just read in another thread that some antibiotics can make you more likely to have neurological problems? Which ones? How long do you you have to take them for this to be considered a factor?

[mlbandura]

This is very interesting information. I am going to have to research this. Luke has had three seizures since he changed to Keppra. Assuming it was due to growth spurts we increased his meds accordingly. Now thinking back all three times he was on an antibiotic. Although they cross referenced it I am now wondering if that wasn't the reason for them.

[Literophile]

That's a good thing to bring up next time you see his neurologist. And likewise next time I see a neurologist. Fascinating--I never even considered antibiotics of any kind of relevance.

[epileric]

I am very susceptible to staph and MRSA and have taken many rigorous antibiotics for it. I just read in another thread that some antibiotics can make you more likely to have neurological problems? Which ones? How long do you you have to take them for this to be considered a factor?

According to Frink (thanks Frink) it's the fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics That block the GABA receptors in the brain

Here's a study I found on them.

Studies have suggested that CNS penetration by these drugs does not appear to correlate with reported incidences of CNS effects.[32] A possible reconciliation of these discrepancies is that fluoroquinolones can also induce excitatory effects through direct activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and adenosine-receptor mechanisms.[20] Thus, it may be that it is only under specific conditions of sufficient CNS penetration, coupled with threshold antagonism of inhibitory pathways (GABA) and stimulation of excitatory pathways (NMDA, adenosine), that observable CNS symptoms are manifested.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410202_4

[Chel]

I have been advised that my IgA negative status (therefore high susceptibility to infection) is a possible cause for my temporal lobe atrophy, which is the possible cause of my temporal lobe epilepsy.

I'll need to bring this up with my neurologist, too, as I'm often on antibiotics.

Good info, thanks!

ETA: rather than edit above (in case anyone's already read it), I'll note here that what I meant was, my tl atrophy may have been caused by repeated infections, including many high fevers. The infections and inability to fight them are caused by the IgA deficiency/negativity. Sorry, brain obviously not functioning as well as I thought it was this morning!

[Trinity]

I had a tonic clonic seizure after my son was born and at the time was on antibiotics for a postnatal infection. It was only 2.5 weeks after giving birth and my neurologist believed that forgetting to take meds regularly, being on antibiotics and the infection together may have lead to my seizure. I had had great seizure control with no tonic clonics for 13 years prior.
I have had antibiotics on other occasions before without any problems so not sure. Perhaps certain ones can be a problem.

[Frink]

Cross posted from Obviously I am still a troll and cannot post any links, even links to this very website, hmmmm.

The fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics can cause neurologic problems because it blocks the GABA receptor, increasing excitability and leading to seizures.

The fluoro's have also been tied to neuropathies and a fibromyalgia type syndrome.

Here is a list of fluoroquinolones:
ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan)
gatifloxacin (Tequin)
levofloxacin (Levaquin, Tavanic)
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
moxifloxacin (Avelox)
norfloxacin (Noroxin)
ofloxacin (Floxin, Tarivid)
Regular antibiotics can cause problems by destroying the natural bacteria in your digestive tract leading to some malabsorption conditions or reduced ability to absorb medications.

[Literophile]

Here is a list of fluoroquinolones:
ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan)
gatifloxacin (Tequin)
levofloxacin (Levaquin, Tavanic)
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
moxifloxacin (Avelox)
norfloxacin (Noroxin)
ofloxacin (Floxin, Tarivid)
Regular antibiotics can cause problems by destroying the natural bacteria in your digestive tract leading to some malabsorption conditions or reduced ability to absorb medications.

I take Cipro all the time--in fact that's the one I take most often. Huh. Thanks for the list!

[Endless]

Frink,

You turn from a troll into an annointed one after a certain level of activity. Hang in there! In the meantime you can leave the www off and we'll know what you mean. A moderator can add a link for you, too. They are very helpful critters.

[Bernard]

Cross posted from Obviously I am still a troll and cannot post any links, even links to this very website, hmmmm. ...

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/...es-links-1759/

Just add spaces around the periods in any link and a mod will fix it after review. As Endless said, after a certain threshold of community participation has been reached, you can post live links.