Can someone who has a pacemaker take Amoxicillin?

I am 74 years old and had to get a pacemaker in January 2013. I have gotten along well with my pacemaker. I noticed yesterday I was getting what felt like a head cold or sinus infection. Was coughing and had been told by my dr. that I could take the original formula of Robitussin for cough and Tylenol. I have also been told I could take a Zyrtec. I have Amoxicillin here as I have to take it before I go for dental appointments because I have a knee replacement.

My question to you all is would it be safe for me to take Amoxicillin for my sinus infection/head cold or should I just take the Zyrtec? Also I'm open to any other suggestions you all may have. I'd like to feel better before the holidays and don't want it to turn into pneumonia.

Thank you so much for your responses.

9 Comments

PLONG........................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-12-08 01:12:07


......................all the guys above have given good comments.

Amoxicillin..as in,...ends in 'cillin' is a pretty Old School antibiotic,...been around for ages.

In the UK, up till about four years ago, medical insurance required dental patients to take 'cover' ,in my case a whopping 3 grams of Amoxicillin an hour before any dental work / cleaning.

The insurance people now agree..with the dental profession, that this has been a wildly over-reaction to any possible cardiac infection risk. Along with an attendant issue re over exposure to antibiotics.

So...

Being a bit Old School myself, I never travel without a sachet of 3 gram Moxy and a month long course of Moxy 500mg.

Cardiac infections via dental issues can not be taken lightly. When I was in hospital after aortic valve surgery I shared a ward with a guy who, post disastrous dental work had become more toxic than Chernobyl.

My view is..if over the counter meds work, then leave the big guns that are antibiotics to deal with the scary stuff...when they are needed.

Tattoo Man UK

Antibiotic Resistance

by IAN MC - 2013-12-08 03:12:18

I have just read an interview done with an eminent UK scientist where he was asked the question " What is the biggest single threat currently facing mankind ? "

His answer was that it is not global warming, it is not nuclear attack, it is not AIDS, it is not terrorism ; it is in fact the development of antibacterial resistance to antibiotics.

If drastic action is not taken soon we will return to an 18th century situation where millions of people will die from simple infections. Why is this ?

It is because virtually no new antibiotics have been discovered in the last 25 years , and hardly any research is being done to find new ones !!

The cause of the resistance is ridiculous overuse of antibiotics by both doctors and patients.

So PLong , leave those amoxycillin tablets in your bathroom cabinet, you may just be helping to save the human race.

Ian

antibiotics

by manaman - 2013-12-08 04:12:30

taking the same stuff right now for a broncial infections. Have taken it for 18 plus years.
Cecil

Long QT

by Bostonstrong - 2013-12-08 04:12:57

Some antibiotics can cause long QT syndrome with really ...fatal consequences. Probably best to have your primary care provider decide when you need an atb and which one. Unless you're feeling really lucky.

Cecil

by IAN MC - 2013-12-08 06:12:21

I hope that it works !! When it was launched, amoxycillin was a great antibiotic, it's not anymore unfortunately ; many of the bacteria which commonly cause bronchial infections are now resistant to it. !

Ian

PM's & Antibiotics

by donr - 2013-12-08 09:12:45

I've taken all sorts of antibiotics w/ zero affect on my PM. I can see no reason for them to affect it - unless you get one that affects heart rhythms. Haven't seen that one yet.

Now, what you take for sinus cavities in the head is an issue for sorting out w/ your Primary Care Doc.

Don

OTC Sinus medicine

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-08 10:12:35

Per donr you can take all sorts of antibiotics with zero effect on PM. OTC Sinus medicine is another issue. Some OTC medicines raise blood pressure so you will want to discuss that with cardio doctor.

Thanks for reminding me to ask cardio doctor if I can take zinc medicine with my other heart medicines. I've used zinc pills in the past to cut colds down to three days. But obviously I wouldn't want to take them if they have an adverse reaction with my other meds.

Theknotguy

Antibiotics

by golden_snitch - 2013-12-08 11:12:29

Agree with the others, the pacemaker is not the problem. But never ever take an antibiotic just because you think you have a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are for nothing but bacterial stuff, and most colds, infections etc., especially at this time of the year, are viral. You risk building up a resistance against antibiotics, if you take them often and for no reason. And then when you really need them, they will no longer work. I guess every doctor would start yelling at you when you told him what you just wrote here (oh, I have some antibiotic for this and that left, maybe I just take it for my sinus infection).

For colds etc. I usually take herbal stuff only. Lots of fresh ginger tea; water with a tiny bit of salt that I then snuffle through my nose; inhalations with thyme or camille, or plain hot salted water; walks outside, but I also make sure that I get enough rest and that I keep myself warm.

Inga

I agree with Inga

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-08 11:12:53

If it's viral, antibiotics won't help. I have antibiotics for pre-dental too. I also have a cold right now and am not taking them since it is not bacterial.

Hope you feel better.

Grateful Heart

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