I meant Cipro. I was being treated for diverticulitis and both medications were prescribed each 500 mg twice a day. After 4-5 days I started to have a metalic taste in my mouth, sensitivity to odors (like car exhaust) and general listlessness. I went off the medication, diverticulits symptoms re-occurred and CT Scan was negative. Now I am spiking a 100 fever and have diarreah and vomiting.
Why do doctors combine Cipro and Flagel?
Question posted by jzanton on 3 July 2012
Last updated on 16 January 2025 by Raejunior
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5 Answers
Raejunior
15 Jan 2025
Dad2b is pretty much correct. The two different antibiotics cover both of the issues Xifaxan and Flagyl are a better combination. However most Insurance will not cover Xifaxan due to high cost ( somewhere around $3,500 for a two week supply). Cipro and Flagyl is the next best combo. BTW, if you think it is diverticulitis and CT scan shows negative. It may be SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). Symptoms are similar. I have had this twice after having colon resection surgery due to ruptured diverticula in colon. SIBO seems to be more prevalent if you have had any colon surgery. If your CT scan is negative for diverticulitis, ask your physician to test for SIBO.
ConnieHuch
28 Jan 2020
I’m on day 5 of the same medicine and what I am having is a weird feeling on the top of my tongue. It’s not so much metallic like you describe but feels more like there’s a coating on my tongue and does seem to have a weird taste. I am not yet having many other symptoms.
I think unless the symptoms are completely unbearable, I’ll stick with it to get this cleared up. I think the pain of diverticulitis is much worse than the weird feeling/taste on my tongue.
SurpriseSurprise
28 April 2020
Are you on Flagyl and an antibiotic? Flagyl helps to offset the negative effects of high doses of antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause thrush.
Hope this helps.
Kmctitle
15 July 2014
I had the same experience and was also prescribed both Flagyl and Cipro. My doctor also thought it was diverticulitis, but my scan didn't show anything either. I've had this happen 3 times now (once a year) and they haven't really pinpointed the issue. Have they figured it out for you?
Dad2B
1 Sep 2016
Hey if you're still in the dark all these years later, the reason is because the bacteria that live in and infect your gut are a combination of gram negative rods and anaerobes; The Cipro/Flagyl combo is a very effective 1, 2 combination to completely cover both of these without over coverage. Another commonly used treatment is Zosin, which also has gram positive and pseudomonas coverage; this is the over coverage I was referring to.
SurpriseSurprise
28 April 2020
I’ve been reading that ultrasounds may not show it. CT scans usually do. This is so painful! I hope you get some answers soon.
kaismama
3 July 2012
You stopped the antibiotics before you were supposed to and found out what happens when you do that. The dr knows how long to order the medication, depending on what it is for and the antibiotic. You should always take it for the full length of time unless you have a major reaction to it. And then you should call the dr and do what he says. There are times you need 2 different types of antibiotic depending on the bacteria and/or disease that is being treated. Not all antibiotics work for all bacteria, or diseases.
DzooBaby
3 July 2012
Cipro is an antibiotic that works to kill bacteria. Flagyl kills protozoans as well as bacterias-especially anaerobic bacteria. In diverticulitis, you can have both bacteria and protozoans in the digestive tract. It is important to finish all of your antibiotic treatment. One reason is to prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics. When you do not kill bacteria completely, they can become resistant to the antibiotics. Another thing is that untreated diverticulitis can lead to very bad complications. You have small pockets in your colon that are inflammed and infected. If one of those pockets becomes so inflammed that it bursts, you can get very, very sick with peritonitis which is an infection of the whole abdominal wall and it can affect all of the organs in the abdomen.
This CAN be fatal so it is very serious!! All the symptoms you are describing are pretty typical with Flagyl but it is important to use this medication for your condition. Since you are having fever again, you need to contact your Dr immediately and tell him what is going on. Be sure to let him know when you stopped your medications. You may have to start the whole course over now. Discuss with him what your options are-perhaps he can substitute a different drug. Just remember that as unpleasant as the side effects are, they are much better than complications like peritonitis and the side effects are short term. Bear with the treatment and it will soon be over. By starting and stopping your treatment you are only prolonging your discomfort.
Related topics
cipro, diverticulitis, odor, doctor, mouth, medication
Further information
- Cipro uses and safety info
- Cipro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cipro (detailed)
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