Any risk of Tendonitis with amoxicillin?

by Gabriel
(New York)

Hi, Joshua. I've had tendonitis for a long time now, and it's starting to improve. Just today I was prescribed amoxicillin for an unrelated dental infection, and I just wanted to know if there is any risk for tendon damage, or is that only with the fluoroquinolone antibiotics?




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Joshua Answers:

Hi Gabriel.

Primarily it's just with fluoroquinolones.

My first thought to your question was 'No, Amoxicillin doesn't cause Tendonitis.

See: What Is Tendonitis?

I did some extra research to make sure, and didn't come across anything that indicated that Amoxicillin was a danger to tendons and connective tissue.

Having said that, everybody is a little different and their scenario is a little different. So while Amoxicillin isn't known to cause tendon problems, there are a variety of ways it can cause your particular scenario to create pain/problem.

After (and during) taking it and while the tooth gets taken care of, I -would- take probiotics to replenish all the good (and important) bugs in your stomach that antibiotics kill off.







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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
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Comments for Any risk of Tendonitis with amoxicillin?

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May 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Amoxicillin Tendon Damage
by: JW

I'm not so sure. I just googled amoxicillin tendon damage and came to this page. I am researching any link, because my 13 y.o. son is having problems with his achilles tendon. It started about 4 weeks ago, coincidently when he started a 40 day dose of amoxicillin for a bad sinus infection.

We see the doctor later today.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi JW.

What'd the doctor say?

Fluoroquinole antibiotics directly target tendon (and other connective tissue).

Amoxicillin doesn't (as far as I can tell), but it does kill the good bugs as well as (hopefully) the bad.

If your son has a sinus infection, something was already off in his body, and antibiotics reduce your bodies natural ability to fight things off (it kills bacteria which helps, but can also inhibit one's immune system, which doesn't).

Is his sinus infection bacterial? If it's not (did they check?) then antibotics A. have no chance of helping and B. inhibit your immune system and gut function.

Tendon pain can also come from nutritional deficiency. So one possibility is, he was already short on some nutrient(s), he took the antibiotic, the ecology of his gut was disrupted and less able to absorb nutrients, which then resulted in him feeling Achilles pain.

Tough to pinpoint the exact cause in situations like this, so we look at all the clues available and attempt some trial and error experimentation to see what works.

Definitely might want to get some good probiotics into your boy. That will bolster his gut and his immune system.
Mar 28, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughters reaction to amoxicillin
by: Crissy Eaker

My 6 year old daughter was recntly taking amoxicillin. She woke up screaming that her leg hurt I thought her foot had fallen asleep. The next night she was sitting on couch and it happened again, I rubbed it for awhile and it stopped 1 hour later she was screaming and shaking and couldn't walk. I took her to ER they said it was allergic reaction to amoxicillin. Does this sound like tendonitis? She has been on amoxixillin at least 5 times for strep throat this last year and this has never happened.


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Joshua Comments:

Hi Crissy.

1. I have no idea.

2. Amoxicillin doesn't give tendonitis-mimicking damage like Fluoroquinolone drugs do, so no worries on that front.

3. I'm more worried about why she has repetitive Strep throat (which indicates her immune system is not up to snuff)

4. What is her Vitamin D level? If you don't know the answer to this, you MUST find out ASAP.

5. In general, I would focus on fixing the cause of the strep/immune system weakness, as opposed to multiple rounds of antibiotics, which have certain negative repercussions on the body.

6. Back to the leg pain, I don't know. I would need more information. And I would stop the amoxicillin and see if the screaming pain stops (which you may or may not have already done)
Jan 18, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		amoxicillin affects achilles tendon
by: Ron

Tore achilles tendon in 1991 while running.

Started taking amoxicillin 500mg (four times per day) three days ago for a bad tooth, and achillies tendon is starting to react painfully.

My achilles tendon was damaged 25 years ago so is a weak link, but amoxicillin definately affects it in a negative way.
Feb 23, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tendonitis with Amoxicillin
by: Montrose, PA

I received Cipro several years ago for bronchitis and the tendons behind my knees hurt so bad I could barely walk.

It took almost a year to recover.

I have received Amoxicillin several time since and have had similar problems but not as bad.

Recently I was given Amoxicillin for sinus infection and within a few days the back of my left knee started hurting like crazy and it is painful to walk.

I now have to use a cane and hope it will not take as long to heal as last time.


May 26, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Amoxicillin and achilles tendonitis
by: Chip

I have severe achilles tendonitis pain after starting Amoxicillin. It started on one side and became equilateral after a couple of days.

I am still suffering with it after two and a half months.

It feels as though my achilles tendon has been shortened and I get relief if I wear my cowboy boots, (higher heals).

I have also been on low dose steroids (prednisone) for years and I have had this in the past (achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis) from Ciprofloxicin, which took many months to heal.



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Joshua Comments:

Hi Chip.

Flouroquinolone toxicity and nutritional depletion can last a long time/forever if not dealt with effectively.

I'm guessing the Amoxocillin and whatever stressor was in place that you took it for further depleted you, setting you up for pain etc, and otherwise showing you what has been lurking there over time, your body doing it's best to have you pain free.
Dec 19, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Not sure what the condition is called
by: Anonymous

I took amoxicillan in 2012 when I woke up the next day my achilles tendons were stiff and sore today I have a lump where the tendon meets the calf on both sides I typically deal with pain on a daily basis.
Mar 09, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Tendonitis following use of Amoxicillin
by: MF

I was prescribed Amoxicillin following a root canal in November. 2 wks later I developed plantar fasciitis which lasted a month until I finally saw a podiatrist who gave me a steroid shot. Had never had this before and no prior injury.

Did not connect the two until this same tooth started bothering me again after a dental cleaning a couple of weeks ago.

Had about 12 pills left of the Amoxicillin so I finished these off and now suddenly have extensor tendonitis in same foot.

Remembered reading something about antibiotics & tendonitis -- now I think these two incidents are related. Had never had this before. I am a 67 y/o female.
Mar 22, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Augmentin then severe pain and now need surgery
by: Bonnie

I took a 10 day course of Augmentin in May of 2016 for a bronchitis type problem.

During those 10 days I started with right foot pain which progressed to the point of severe pain after a couple months.

After seeing my PCP then an ortho surgeon and having an MRI, it was determined my posterior tibial tendon is frayed and I need extensive surgery to repair it.

Soon after, my left foot started as well. Because of circumstances with my in-laws and also husband needing bilateral knee replacements (he had them done 3/7), I have to hold off on surgery.

I am wearing braces on both feet which keeps the pain bearable until I can have surgery later this year.

I/we never knew what caused it suddenly since I had no injury, but now that I am reading about people with similar tendon issues and ruptures that happened while on other types of antibiotics, I am now wondering if the Augmentin caused my tendon to fray.

Thoughts?


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Joshua Comments:

Augmentin isn't particularly known for causing tendon damage, though there are reports of it to the FDA (and most people with adverside side effects of anything never report it to the FDA).

But it definitely does/can have significant side effects and long story short, those side effects (nutritional insufficiency, pain, muscle weakness) can help cause the damage/symptoms you experienced after taking Augmentin.
Mar 23, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Re Augmentin
by: Bonnie

Joshua.....How would I report what happened to me?



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Joshua Comments:

-Report via Online Form: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home

- Call FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report by telephone
Mar 23, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Augmentin
by: Bonnie

THANK YOU!


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Joshua Comments:

You're welcome!
Jul 04, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Amoxicillin, side effect
by: Anonymous

Hi I started taking Amoxicillin a few days ago and today I can not bend my knee, both knees in pain, but the right knee is in terrible pain. It is so obvious that Amoxicillin has this terrible side effect.


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Joshua Comments:

It seems that it absolutely is a side effect for you. Doesn't happen to everybody, but it does happen.
Oct 05, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Add me to the list of tendonitis after taking amoxcillin.
by: Ed

Hi Joshua,

Add me to the list of people being affected with tendonitis after taking amoxcillin. I recently had a root canal. A few days before finishing the amoxcillin the tendonitis appeared in my left leg, right around the soleus muscle above the achilles tendon. It's been about a week now and I still have moderate pain.

My question is: Some people say NOT to take anti-inlammatory drugs or nsaids if the tendonitis is from floroquinolone antibiotics. Does the same hold true for amoxcillin?

Also, would it be OK to start light peddling on a stationary bike soon to speed healing?

Thanks!
Ed


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Joshua Comments:

I know far more about the fluoroquinolone mechanism than the amoxicillin mechanism, so I'm not the best to answer.

Having said that:
A. Light biking is good for many reasons.
B. I'm not a fan of anti-inflammatory drugs in general (other than to help get you through the day) as they don't fix the cause(s) of the inflammation.

I don't think it causes/can cause problems with amoxicillin. Taking a bunch of ibuprofen is potentially worse that 'taking it after amoxicillin'. Meaning, the ibuprofen is it's own potential problem.

Mixing prednisone/corticosteroids with fluoroquinolones is a clear no no.

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