Antibiotics: topical and oral. Food or supplement interaction.
Tetracycline should not be taken with dairy products or with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, or iron; these cause binding of tetracycline in the intestinal tract and may reduce its effectiveness. There is some evidence that berberine-containing herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, and oregon grape may also reduce the effectiveness of tetracycline. Avoid alcohol, as it may increase dizziness associated with tetracycline use.
Digitalis lanata and Digitalis purpurea, herbs commonly known as foxglove, contain digitalis glycosides. These herbs are not commonly available but may be prescribed by some natural health care providers. These chemicals have similar actions and toxicities to the prescription drug digoxin and should not be used with erythromycin. These herbs, though, are not available over the counter. Erythromycin should be taken without food to avoid breakdown before it reaches the intestines.
Research has demonstrated that consuming yogurt or supplements containing probiotics such as bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Saccharomyces boulardii can help prevent symptoms of antibiotic-induced diarrhea and reduce the likelihood of antibiotic-induced infection by clostridium or candida. In other research, the enzyme bromelain showed beneficial effects on the activity of erythromycin.
NUTRIENT DEPLETION/IMBALANCE (more…)