Can taking antibiotics induce arrythmias?

[sonny372]

Hello everyone. I am in need of having to get some dental work done where I know for sure that I am going to be needing antiobiotics. Since my heart is so sensitive to stimulants such as, caffeine, asthma inhalers, choclate, antihistamines, and too much sugar and salt I am very worried about having to take these antibiotics for probably a week or so maybe even twice a day. My mom tells me that people die because of certain antibiotics. I am afraid that if I go an get the dental work done I will encounter serious arrythmias. I have periodontal disease which needs exstensive treatment. Has anyone ever had problems with antiobiotics that have arryythmias or what do you think?

[LindaTX]

Yes, I can attest to that also.  It's not so much the antibiotics as the anaesthesia.  

[sonny372]

Thank you both for your input and information. I will be sure to ask for the anesthia without the epinephrine as I am highly sensitive to it. My question though is what antibiotics can I take that are not going to giving me ventricular arrythmias? I am really scared about getting my dental work done because of this. I hope they have a defibrillator in the room! Cause i'll need it if i can not find a safe drug.

[claytex]

Dear sonny:  DONT KNOW ABOUT THE ANTIBIOTICS, BUT IM HERE TO TELL YOU THE ANESTHESIA (EPINEPHRINE) CAN DO IT AND CAUSE PERMANET DAMAGE (MAKE AFIB HAPPEN  MORE OFTEN)..BE SURE YOU TELL THE DENTIST YOU HAVE AFIB.IT HAPPENED TO ME.  HOPE THIS HELPS..  CLAYTEX

[stevie_wonder]

Yes the macrolide family of antibiotics can give you an increased risk of having arrhythmias including vt and torsades vt. While it usually affects only those with heart disease it can affect anyone and is one of the side effects listed of these antibiotics. If you are bothered by caffeine, antihistamines etc. I would avoid these antiobiotics. They are especially bad when mixed with other heart stimulating drugs.
Make sure you mention this to your doctor.  A good doctor will prescribe another antibiotic that has less affect on the heart if you request it.
Good luck

[CFS1]

The most common antiobiotic given for periodontal disease is doxycycline.  I have taken a boat load of the stuff and it has never bothered my heart.  Please don't worry about this and go get your dental work done.

[donna80]

Hey I am the same j am also very sensitive. I need antibiotics regularly for problems. They don't cause my heart to play up though. I take amoxicillin and flixacilin sane time when I get a flare up.

Relax they are safe

[sonny372]

Thank you so much for your kind reassurance. I have been just so scared to get any dental work done because I suffer from heart arrythmias. I keep thinking I am in a checkmate position because I have to take care of these infections. I suffer from many pvc's or pac's but do not know which. All I know is that my heart thumps in my chest and I get a pause afterwards and sometimes ge flutters and such. You have a very positive outlook on things. I hope I can attain the confidence and optimism you posses. God bless you.

[cindy707]

Your mom shouldn't be scaring you like that sonny372....what she is talking about it people having an allergic reaction to the medications and that is extremely rare if you've never had a problem with them before.  It is very very common to be given a fairly heavy dose before the work and immediately after its done.  The only reason they are doing it is that our mouths are a direct gateway to the valves of our hearts so it is just being done as a precaution and i bet everyone on this site probably gets them before dental work including myself.  Antibiotics as far as i know do not cause any arrythmias and they are not in the stimulant family.  Think of it as a safety net that the dentist is putting around you to avoid anything happening and what a great dentist you have..  you probably have a better chance of being hit by lightening than a problem with this...relax the doc is just making sure you don't get an infection from the work they are doing....if it were me i would feel great about taking something that puts a protective wall within my body so the uglies don't have a chance at you....you should sleep soundly tonite knowing you are going to be so well protected...lucky lucky you.......