Bitterness in the mouth after antibiotics (Clarithromycin, Metronidazole): what to do, how to remove

Since the discovery of penicillin antibiotics firmly entered the medical arsenal of doctors. They can effectively fight many infectious diseases. But given their aggressiveness towards bacteria, you have to put up with the side effects they cause. In each instruction for the drug, you can find a list of negative reactions, sometimes with an indication of the frequency of occurrence. One of the side effects after taking antibiotics is bitterness in the mouth. It is important to know the causes and methods of struggle.

Causes of unpleasant symptoms

There are several categories of reasons that can cause bitterness in the mouth after taking antibacterial drugs, for example, when treating H. pylori. Some of them do not require intervention, some can be prevented, while others require discontinuation of the drug and subsequent treatment. In most cases, bitterness will bother you constantly, sometimes more after eating or in the morning. Main reasons:

1. Taste receptor response. All substances that enter the tongue are identified by a person in one way or another. He senses sweetness, acidity, salinity, or bitterness. And we are talking not only about food, but also about pills. The same thing happens with antibiotics. Some of them taste bitter taste buds. These include Metronidazole, Clarithromycin and others. Moreover, the second is more often known under the trade name Klacid, but the active ingredient in it is still the same clarithromycin - an antibiotic from the macrolide group.
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2. Dysbacteriosis. The peculiarity of the action of the drugs is that they negatively affect not only the pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic flora, but also the normal one. Due to this, there is a violation of the ratio of microorganisms in the intestine. This situation can be manifested by bitterness in the mouth, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. Oral candidiasis - a special case dysbiosis. In addition to bacteria, a fungal culture is also present in the human body. Normally, its reproduction is inhibited by "good" flora. Taking antibiotics, reducing its population, makes it possible to actively develop fungi, especially the genus Candida.
3. Hepatotoxicity. Once in the body, antibacterial drugs are absorbed in the intestine and then, through the portal vein, enter the liver. There they are converted either into their active metabolites and sent to the foci of infection, or they disintegrate and are excreted in a safe form. These processes carry a great deal of stress on the liver. If the course of admission is exceeded, a combination of several drugs at the same time, this organ may cease to cope. The easiest symptom in this case will be bitterness, but it is just the first bell on the path of serious complications. At first, she can only bother in the morning, and the symptom could appear even before the start of therapy, if the patient had previously had liver disease.
4. Exacerbation of problems in the biliary system. One of the mechanisms for the elimination of decay products and metabolites of antibiotics is the biliary system. It may malfunction under high load. For example, in the presence of cholecystitis - a chronic inflammation of the gallbladder - bitterness will be present in a large percentage of cases. Then this symptom may be more pronounced after eating, when the flow of bile is more active, since it contains the enzymes necessary for the digestion of food.

It is not always easy for the patient to figure out the specific reason for himself. Therefore, if bitterness bothers you persistently, and not only when taking the pill directly, you should consult a doctor, especially if other symptoms are added.

Some patients complain not of bitterness, but of dry mouth after taking the pills. The causes of dryness have many things in common with those that cause bitterness. Often these symptoms bother at the same time.

In addition, dryness can be a sign of another formidable complication of taking antibiotics - toxic effects on the kidneys. The fact is that many drugs are excreted in the urine, that is, they inevitably enter the urinary system, exerting their negative influence on it.

What to do: self-medication or qualified help

In some cases, a person can independently cope with the bitterness in the mouth after taking certain antibiotics. If the symptoms are not pronounced and do not progress, then you can use some advice without even resorting to taking pills for bitterness.

Treatment depends on the cause:

1. With the development of dysbiosis, it can help increased use of fermented milk productswhich will increase the amount of normal flora. You can turn to taking pre- and probiotics, which are easy to find in any pharmacy, but it is better to be prescribed by a doctor. The first are substances that stimulate the growth of "good" bacteria. The second contains ready-made bacteria that make up for the lack of those that have been attacked by drugs.
2. With the development of candidiasis, or better for its prevention, you can take antifungal drug. For example, Fluconazole at a dosage of one hundred and fifty milligrams once and again three days later with residual complaints.
3. The most common cause is still a malfunction of the liver and biliary tract. There are folk recipes that have worked well for a long time. Can help herbal decoctionscontaining chamomile, calendula, corn silk, milk thistle, immortelle. In the pharmacy, you can find ready-made herbal preparations for the treatment of diseases of the liver and gallbladder.
4. It is important to observe diet: add as much kefir, yoghurts, fermented baked milk to the diet. It is worth reducing the amount of choleretic products such as oils, spices. Freshly squeezed juices will help to hide the taste of bitterness. Do not limit yourself to drinking.
5. In addition to correcting nutrition, you can pay attention to hepatoprotectors. They are mostly sold without a prescription, but it is best to check with your doctor before using. Such drugs include Essentiale, Heptral, Hepa-merz, as well as medicines made on the basis of artichokes.

If the intensity of bitterness during the use of antibiotics increases, becomes permanent, you should think about contacting a doctor. If new side effects appear on the drug, you should stop taking it and consult a doctor. If complaints appear against the background of previous liver or kidney diseases, then the tactics are the same. And it will be better if the patient once again reminds of all concomitant diseases even before the start of taking medications.

Taking antibacterial agents correctly

The key to success is always taking the right antibiotic. Recommendations may vary depending on the specific drug. For example, it is recommended to take Clarithromycin on an empty stomach, and Metronidazole with or after meals. Specific recommendations are reflected in the instructions for use.

Observe equal time intervals. If the medicine was prescribed three times a day, this means that eight hours should pass between taking the pills, if twice, then twelve. Only then will the concentration of the active substance in the focus of infection be constant.

And the most important rule, which is neglected by many: you cannot stop taking when you feel better. It is imperative to complete the course of treatment.

First, violation of this rule is fraught with the re-development of symptoms of the disease. Secondly, the remaining live bacteria in an insignificant amount will develop resistance to the antibiotic, and the next time it will not be effective.