Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for certain types of colitis, such as ulcerative colitis and ischemic colitis. While antibiotics help with symptoms, there may be some adverse effects.
Colitis refers to inflammation in the large intestine. There are several types of colitis, each with its own cause, such as infections or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the latter of which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease.
Depending on the specific cause of the colitis, doctors may recommend antibiotic therapy as treatment.
This article examines when antibiotics are necessary to treat colitis, common prescription antibiotics, side effects, whether colitis medications are unsuitable during pregnancy, and possible drug interactions.
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Depending on the type of colitis, doctors will
- UC: Doctors often use antibiotics to manage IBD symptoms. These also help reduce the overactivity of the immune system that could be damaging the intestine. Antibiotics work by treating:
- the disease itself
- infections that arise as a complication of IBD
- infections that arise from other treatments for IBD
- Crohn’s disease: Doctors may prescribe antibiotics for people who develop abscesses or fistula, which are common complications of Crohn’s. They may also use antibiotics as a postsurgery measure to prevent any relapses.
- Ischemic colitis: Doctors will consider antimicrobial therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics for people with moderate or severe disease. A
2020 study concluded that doctors will determine the best line of treatment according to real-life clinical settings and someone’s needs. - Pseudomembranous colitis: This occurs as a complication of an antibiotic-associated colonic inflammation. A serious Clostridioides difficile (C.diff) infection is likely to cause pseudomembranous colitis, and treatment involves antibiotic treatment.
The common types of antibiotics vary across the type or cause of colitis someone is receiving treatment for:
Ulcerative colitis antibiotics
Depending on the type of infection requiring treatment, doctors may administer medications orally or intravenously — which involves injecting them directly into the veins. These medications can include:
- metronidazole
- ciprofloxacin
- vancomycin
- rifaximin
Crohn’s disease antibiotics
- ciprofloxacin
- metronidazole
- rifaximin
- clarithromycin
- anti-tuberculous regimens, which have a role in treating tuberculosis
Ischemic colitis antibiotics
In the
- third-generation cephalosporins (Rocephin) or fluoroquinolones
- metronidazole
- piperacillin/tazobactam
Pseudomembranous colitis antibiotics
The
Generally,
More serious side effects may include infection with C. diff. This may cause diarrhea, which may lead to severe colon damage. People may also have severe allergic reactions to certain antibiotics.
If someone believes they are having an adverse reaction to an antibiotic, they need to consult a doctor.
Learn more about the side effects of antibiotics.
Specific antibiotic effects
The specific antibiotics that treat the above types of colitis may cause various side effects.
The table below shows some but not all of the
Antibiotic | Possible side effects |
• tendonitis • tendon rupture • oral thrush • inhibited cartilage growth • photosensitivity • QT prolongation — where the heart muscles take longer to contract and relax | |
metronidazole | gastrointestinal disturbances and possible permanent peripheral neuropathy from long-term use |
no known serious adverse events, though possible drug reactions, • nausea • gastrointestinal upset • peripheral edema • dizziness • fatigue • muscle spasms • fungal or bacterial infection | |
vancomycin | gastrointestinal • abdominal pain • nausea • nephrotoxicity, which refers to deteriorating kidney function • hypersensitivity reactions • hypotension |
clarithromycin | • nausea • vomiting • bloating • indigestion • diarrhea • headaches • insomnia |
• tendinopathy • gastrointestinal effects • hyperglycemia • hypoglycemia • aortic aneurysm • central nervous system effects • cardiac arrhythmia • peripheral neuropathy • retinal detachment |
Some antibiotics are unsuitable for pregnant people. A person who is pregnant should consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable antibiotic or treatment option.
Doctors consider metronidazole safe in pregnancy in the
People may need to avoid certain medications while taking specific antibiotics. Below are some examples, but it is not a comprehensive list. Other types of antibiotics may also have possible interactions with different drugs. A person should always consult a doctor before taking antibiotics.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole may not mix well with the following:
- warfarin for blood clots
- cyclosporine to reduce immune system activity
- disulfiram for alcohol use
- phenytoin or phenobarbitone for epilepsy
- fluorouracil or busulfan for certain types of cancer
- lithium for certain mental health conditions
Ciprofloxacin
Doctors do not recommend taking the following medications with ciprofloxacin:
- warfarin
- antacids for heartburn or indigestion
- phenytoin
- methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis
- theophylline or aminophylline for asthma
- steroids
- tizanidine for muscle stiffness
Read more about the effects of ciprofloxacin.
Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin may not mix well with certain drugs. People need to inform their doctor if they are taking any of the following:
- warfarin
- theophylline
- ergotamine or dihydroergotamine for migraine
- carbamazepine or phenytoin
- statins for lowering cholesterol, including simvastatin or atorvastatin
- colchicine for gout
- digoxin, for some heart problems
Doctors recommend antibiotic therapy for treating most types of colitis, including ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, and pseudomembranous colitis.
Two common types of antibiotics are metronidazole and ciprofloxacin. While these lines of treatment effectively reduce symptoms and maintain remission, several adverse effects have links to these antibiotics.
People may experience gastrointestinal disturbances, issues with joints and tendons, additional infections, and other side effects. A person needs to consult a doctor to determine what effects they can expect and how best to manage them.
Antibiotics may be safe for pregnant people in the short term, but they should check with their doctor before taking them. In addition, people should confirm with a healthcare professional what possible drug interactions may occur when taking antibiotics.