Clavulanic acid amoxicillin and

In a recent study, the bacterial populations contaminating the upper gut in SIBO patients and their antibiotic susceptibility were determined. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefoxitin were effective against >90% of anaerobic strains, while aminopenicillins, cephalosporins and cotrimoxazole were effective against the microaerophilic population. Erythromycin, clindamycin and rifampicin were ineffective. Data on metronidazole and fluoroquinolones are not available [32]. 

Another recent controlled trial showed a good therapeutic effect of both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and norfloxacin in SIBO patients [45]. However, a rapid relapse of diarrhea just few days after the withdrawal of antibiotics was evident. In this paper, the efficacy of probiotics in SIBO patients was also evaluated, but no significant effect was described. While on the one hand these results confirm the frequent need of several courses of antibiotic therapy in SIBO patients, on the other they support the idea that rifaximin may represent a good choice on the basis of its excellent tolerability. 

Maggini M, Raschetti R, Agostinis L, Cattaruzzi C, Troncon MG, Simon G. Use of amoxicilhn and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and hospitalization for acute liver injury Ann 1st Super Sanita 1999 35(3) 429-33. 

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