Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatments - Options and Management

Clostridium difficile infection treatments involve a combination of antibiotics, probiotics, and supportive therapies to manage and resolve the symptoms of C. difficile infection, commonly known as C. diff.
Category
Treatment
Where to get
Available in hospitals and healthcare facilities under medical supervision.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatments FAQ


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What are the treatment options for C difficile infection?

Antibiotics are the main treatment for C. difficile infection. Commonly used antibiotics include: Vancomycin (Firvanq Kit). Fidaxomicin (Dificid). Metronidazole (Flagyl) may be used with vancomycin to treat serious C. difficile infection. Surgery to remove the diseased part of the colon may be needed if there's: Severe pain. Organ failure.

How is Clostridium difficile treated?

Newer treatment methods, such as narrow-spectrum antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, and microbial replacement therapies, are being developed and implemented. We searched PubMed to identify published literature from 2010 to 2018 using the following keywords: Clostridium difficile, treatment, and therapy.

What is Clostridioides difficile?

Clostridioides difficile (formerly known as Clostridium difficile) infection, often called C. diff, is a bacterial infection in the gut. C. diff is a type of bacteria that can commonly transmit the infection to individuals in health care settings, such as hospitals, rehab facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.

How long should I take antibiotics for a C diff infection?

However, some infections might require intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking an antibiotic course for at least 10 days to treat a C. diff infection.

How is C difficile induced colitis treated?

Most cases of C. difficile –induced colitis are treated with the antibiotic vancomycin or fidaxomicin, given by mouth. Fidaxomicin results in fewer recurrences of symptoms. Medications (such as loperamide) that people sometimes take to slow the movement of the intestine and treat diarrhea should not be taken.

Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatments References

If you want to know more about Clostridium Difficile Infection Treatments, consider exploring links below:

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