Antibiotics for heart valve disease

Examples

The following antibiotics are used individually or in combination.

Preventive antibiotics for endocarditis

Generic Name
amoxicillin
ampicillin
gentamicin sulfate

Preventive antibiotics for endocarditis (penicillin-allergic)

Generic Name	Brand Name
vancomycin	Vancocin
clindamycin
cephalexin
azithromycin	Zithromax
clarithromycin	Biaxin
cefazolin

Preventive antibiotics for rheumatic fever

Generic Name
penicillin g
penicillin v
benzathine
sulfadiazine

Preventive antibiotics for rheumatic fever (penicillin-allergic)

Generic Name
erythromycin estolate
erythromycin ethylsuccinate
azithromycin

How It Works

Antibiotics kill bacteria.

Why It Is Used

Antibiotics in valve disease are generally used to lower the risk of endocarditis and rheumatic fever. These conditions can result in a worsening of valve problems. Using antibiotics if you are at risk for these conditions can help prevent them. Antibiotics for endocarditis are generally used before certain procedures, including dental work.

How Well It Works

Antibiotics have been shown to reduce the risk of endocarditis and rheumatic fever.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of antibiotics include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Mild allergic reactions including skin rash, fever, and sometimes difficulty breathing.

A recent large study indicates that people who take erythromycin along with certain common medications may increase their risk of sudden cardiac death.¹ The study showed that the risk of sudden cardiac death is greater when erythromycin is taken with some medications that inhibit certain liver enzymes—such as certain calcium channel blockers, certain antifungal medications, and some antidepressants—than when these medications are not taken together.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Your doctor will decide on the best antibiotics for you based on the level of your risk and any allergies to antibiotics that you may have.

People who receive gentamicin sulfate or vancomycin may develop hearing loss and kidney damage. Kidney damage usually clears up once the medications are stopped.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: June 7, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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