Answer:
Dear
Ed,
Antibiotics
can cause bleeding problems from vitamin K deficiencies.
The medication
may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient.
Several
cases of excessive bleeding have been reported in people who take
antibiotics :
- Suzuki
K, Fukushima T, Meguro K, et al. Intracranial hemorrhage in an infant
owing to vitamin K deficiency despite prophylaxis. Childs Nerv Syst
1999;15:292-4.
- Huilgol
VR, Markus SL, Vakil NB. Antibiotic-induced iatrogenic hemobilia.
Am J Gastroenterol 1997;92:706-7.
- Bandrowsky
T, Vorono AA, Borris TJ, Marcantoni HW. Amoxicllin-related postextraction
bleeding in an anticoagulated patient with tranexamic acid rinses.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1996;82:610-2.
- Kaiser
CW, McAuliffe JD, Barth RJ, Lynch JA. Hypoprothrombinemia and hemorrhage
in a surgical patient treated with cefotetan. Arch Surg 1991;126:524-5.
Several
antibiotics appear to exert a strong effect on vitamin K activity.
One side
effect of antibiotics may be the result of reduced vitamin K activity
and/or reduced vitamin K production by bacteria in the colon.
