Antibiotics for heart valve disease


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Examples


The following antibiotics are used individually or in combination.

Preventive antibiotics for endocarditis

Brand Name Chemical Name
Larotidamoxicillin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Principenampicillin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Garamycingentamicin sulfate

Preventive antibiotics for endocarditis (if you are allergic to penicillin)

Chemical Name
azithromycin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Ancefcefazolin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Keflexcephalexin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Biaxinclarithromycin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Biaxinclindamycin
Brand Name Chemical Name
Vancocinvancomycin

Preventive antibiotics for rheumatic fever

Chemical Name
benzathine
Chemical Name
penicillin g
Chemical Name
penicillin v
Chemical Name
sulfadiazine

Preventive antibiotics for rheumatic fever (if you are allergic to penicillin)

Brand Name Chemical Name
Zithromaxazithromycin
Brand Name Chemical Name
E-Mycinerythromycin

How It Works


Antibiotics kill bacteria.


Why It Is Used


Antibiotics in valve disease are generally used to lower the risk of endocarditis and rheumatic fever. These conditions can result in a worsening of valve problems.

Many heart conditions put people at risk for endocarditis. But if you have certain heart conditions, getting endocarditis is even more dangerous for you. These heart conditions include:

If you have any of these heart conditions, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before you have certain dental or surgical procedures, to prevent endocarditis.


How Well It Works


Antibiotics have been shown to reduce the risk of endocarditis and rheumatic fever.


Side Effects


The most common side effects of antibiotics include:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Mild allergic reactions including skin rash, fever, and sometimes difficulty breathing.

A recent large study indicates that people who take erythromycin along with certain common medications may increase their risk of sudden cardiac death.1 The study showed that the risk of sudden cardiac death is greater when erythromycin is taken with some medications that inhibit certain liver enzymes—such as certain calcium channel blockers, certain antifungal medications, and some antidepressants—than when these medications are not taken together.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)


What To Think About


Your doctor will decide on the best antibiotics for you based on the level of your risk and any allergies to antibiotics that you may have.

People who receive gentamicin sulfate or vancomycin may develop hearing loss and kidney damage. Kidney damage usually clears up once the medications are stopped.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.


References


Citations

  1. Ray WA, et al. (2004). Oral erythromycin and the risk of sudden death from cardiac causes. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(11): 1089–1096.


Credits


Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD

- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC

- Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated March 31, 2006

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Healthwise Logo
Last updated: March 31, 2006
Author: Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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