Nalidixic acid Disease Interactions

There are 5 disease interactions with nalidixic acid:

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with most antibacterial agents and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening, with an onset of up to several weeks following cessation of therapy. Antibiotic therapy can alter the normal flora of the colon and permit overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, whose toxin is believed to be a primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. The colitis is usually characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and may be associated with the passage of blood and mucus. The most common culprits are clindamycin, lincomycin, the aminopenicillins (amoxicillin, ampicillin), and the cephalosporins. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis. There is some evidence that pseudomembranous colitis, if it occurs, may run a more severe course in these patients and that it may be associated with flares in their underlying disease activity. The offending antibiotic(s) should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs during therapy. Stool cultures for Clostridium difficile and stool assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful diagnostically. A large bowel endoscopy may be considered to establish a definitive diagnosis in cases of severe diarrhea.

Nalidixic acid is primarily metabolized by the liver and may accumulate in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with nalidixic acid should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease.

Quinolones may cause CNS stimulation manifested as tremors, agitation, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, insomnia, toxic psychosis, and/or seizures. Benign intracranial hypertension has also been reported. Therapy with quinolones should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures or other CNS abnormalities. In addition, these patients should be advised to avoid the consumption of caffeine-containing products during therapy with some quinolones, most notably ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, and cinoxacin, since these agents can substantially reduce the clearance of caffeine and other methylxanthines, potentially resulting in severe CNS reactions.

Crystalluria has been reported rarely during quinolone therapy. Although it is not expected to occur under normal circumstances with usual recommended dosages, patients who are dehydrated (e.g., due to severe diarrhea or vomiting) may be at increased risk and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid or given intravenous fluid to ensure an adequate urinary output. Alkalinity of the urine should be avoided, since it may also increase the risk of crystalluria. Renal function tests should be performed periodically during prolonged therapy (> 2 weeks).

The use of certain quinolones such as clinafloxacin, gatifloxacin, temafloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin has been associated with disturbances in blood glucose homeostasis possibly stemming from effects on pancreatic beta cell ATP-sensitive potassium channels that regulate insulin secretion. Hypoglycemia and, less frequently, hyperglycemia have been reported, although the latter may also occur due to infection alone. Hypoglycemia has usually occurred in patients with diabetes receiving concomitant oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin. Administration of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and especially gatifloxacin in patients treated with sulfonylureas or other oral hypoglycemic agents has resulted in severe, refractory hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic coma. Elderly patients and patients with reduced renal function are particularly susceptible. Blood glucose should be monitored more closely whenever quinolones are prescribed to patients with diabetes. Gatifloxacin has been known to cause hypoglycemic episodes generally within the first 3 days of therapy and sometimes even after the first dose, while hyperglycemia usually occurs 4 to 10 days after initiation of therapy. Patients should be counseled to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, tremor, weakness, hunger, excessive perspiration, and palpitations. If hypo- or hyperglycemia occur during quinolone therapy, patients should initiate appropriate remedial therapy immediately, discontinue the antibiotic, and contact their physician.

You should also know about...

nalidixic acid drug Interactions

There are 367 drug interactions with nalidixic acid

nalidixic acid food/lifestyle Interactions

There are 2 food/lifestyle interactions with nalidixic acid

See also...

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2009 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.