To not finish my course of antibiotics?

[duckling84]

On Wednesday I was diagnosed with tonsillitis and prescribed erythromycin. I've been told to take 2 tablets 4 times a day so 2000mg so I've taken 7 lots so far (so 14 tablets). Since yesterday afternoon I've been in agony with stomach cramps which just seem to be getting worse and I really don't think I can go through the weekend with 5dc in this pain.

I would never usually consider stopping antibiotics early but I seem to have worse symptoms from the abs then the infection right now.

Aibu to stop?

You need to talk to the doctor who prescribed to ask if the pain is related to the antibiotics. There is a new thinking that you can stop when you feel well rather than finish the course but this doesnt sound well. Only a doctor could tell you

Are they enteric coated?
Are you taking them on an empty stomach or with/after food?

Not taking with food as low appetite.
Stomach pain is listed as one of the most common side effects. It was also prescribed by OOH gp so unlikely to speak to them again (I couldn't even guess at their name tbh)

I did recently. Was on metronidazole for a dental infection and they made me feel like I was dying (and sent my anxiety skyrocketing)

I rang 111 and a GP/someone rang me back and advised me to stop taking them. I did have an appointment with my dentist the next morning though.

That sounds like a very large dose. Erythromycin should be 250mg four times a day for simple tonsillitis

As mentioned above there are new ideas now about stopping antibiotics early. Antimicrobial stewardship involves assessing the patient after 3 days and possibly stopping use. The theory being (I think) that your body can now take over.
I think ask a pharmacist or speak to a medical professional.
If it was me I'd maybe reduce the dose and spread out over more days?
So maybe once or twice a day as opposed to three or four times a day.

Like PP you need to speak to a doctor, even if it isn't the doctor who prescribed them. Sorry you're not well OP - I sympathise I hate antibiotics. I always get a dodgy tummy and usually thrush too.

If an OOH GP prescribed them then you need to get into contact with the OOH GP service (via 111 if you’re in the UK) and ask them.

you really ought to speak to a GP, but it does sound like an exceptionally high dosage.

Wow that is a high dose. I would check it out with a pharmacist.

If you can’t grt hold of a gp a pharmacist would be able to offer advice regarding if the fuse is far to high

Dose not fuse!

Gastro irritation/disturbances is a common side effect, so I'd advise taking them with food.
However if it's severe pain then you need to see a GP to change the antibiotics. Call 111 to see if you can get an OOH appt? Or alternatively do you have a walk in centre near you open tomorrow?

And a dose of 2000mg over 4 divided doses is not too much for tonsillitis (BNF actually says you can have more than this).

2000mg a day is a perfectly standard dose

Ok I will go and see a pharmacist as I prefer seeing people in person then on the phone.
Reading the info it did seem like a very large dose. Since I've already had 4 tablets today I wont take any more (I'm due my next lot now but just cant face it) and see if the pain eases during the night.
Its good to hear the idea around when to stop changing though. I very rarely take ab's (I've only taken 2 other courses in the last 11yrs!) So I'm more then happy to trust my immune system to take over now

Penicillin allergy eh? I also have to take erythromycin and it's a beast on the digestive system.

Get as much natural yoghurt and probiotics down you as you can and if it's possible just lie on the sofa and try not to move. Hopefully your doctor can help you out!

A pharmacist won't be able to perscribe you a different course of antibiotics.
They'll tell you the dosing is correct, what the side effects can be and advise you see a GP to change them.

Also, stopping your antibiotics early can lead to antibiotic resistance. The current medical advice is to still take the full perscribed dose, even if you're feeling better.
Antibiotic resistance is particularly not good if you're pen allergic, which I'm guessing you are!

Greywalls I believe that is changing? I did a course recently and we had someone in from Antibiotic Stewardship and that is what she said. All hospital antibiotics are assessed after 3 days to see if they can be stopped.
They are also really clamping down on the use of antibiotics in our trust.

YABU to ask Mumsnet for medical advice, call 111.

@EleanorLavish but antibiotics in hospital are reviewed based on the decrease of infection markers in blood test results, which the OP won't have had. They're not just stopped if someone is feeling better, it's a combination of symptom review and blood test results.

That same antibiotic made me so sick after just 2/ 3 doses that I now have to say I can't take that particular one anymore. I'm allergic to penicillin so assume this one wasn't as was prescribed it so there's no alternative really I was told now as allergic to most so hope I never need anything antibiotic in the future.

I'm pretty small - just under 5'2" and 50kg so I wondered if the dose was too high. Are you similar height / weight?

I was prescribed erythromycin on Wednesday 500mg 4 times a day. Spent all day and night yesterday vomiting so spoke to my doctor today, they stopped it and changed my prescription... it was really unpleasant, but there are alternatives.

Yes speak to a pharmacist. I had exactly the same reaction when I had tonsillitis (years ago though, don’t remember the dosage) I was in tears the stomach pain was so bad. The pharmacist recommended I stop. I think I’d taken about three days worth of tabs.