Question
A five-year-old baby has been on azithromycin for seven days, now has abdominal distension and vomiting, and Simethicone has no effect. What should be done?
Answer
Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic that can cause gastrointestinal reactions, including abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. These symptoms may occur due to the direct effect of azithromycin on the gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction after binding with gastrin receptors. Although Simethicone can help alleviate digestive symptoms, its effectiveness for antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal reactions is limited. It is recommended to stop using azithromycin and observe whether the baby’s symptoms improve. If the symptoms persist or worsen, the baby should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. At the same time, it is advisable to give the baby easy-to-digest and light foods, and ensure adequate fluid intake.