Here is a detailed overview of c diff treatment – from the mildest case to the most severe.
C Diff Answers On This Page
Stop taking the antibiotics
If your case is mild – diarrhoea 3-5 times a day you will probably find that the symptoms stop after you finish the course of antibiotics you have been taking.
Get tested to clarify what strain you have
If your symptoms continue, you may need to get tested. There are many different strains of c.difficile. The NAP1 or 027 strain is often caught in hospital and is much more destructive than other strains. A test will help ensure the proper antibiotic treatment for your strain.
C Diff Treatment – Flaygl
The common and least expensive drug used is Flagyl (metronidazole). This is effective against mild to moderate strains. For many people, this c diff treatment works and goes away after 7-14 days. About 20% of the patients are not cured, and more powerful drugs must be used. Find out more at our detailed Flagyl page
C Diff Treatment – Vancocin
This is the oral form of the common vancomycin drug used for many other conditions. It takes the medication directly to the infected area and is effective for many patients. It is more expensive and usually reserved for the worst cases, so strains vulnerable to one of the drugs of ‘last resort’ do not develop. There is a concern that it subdues c.difficile rather than killing it. Recent research is also suggesting that it is a short-term cure and makes the gut more liable to more c difficile and other infections. Find out more at our Vancocin page. Some hospitals use a Flaygl/Vancocin combination to treat c.difficile.
Dificid – Fidaxomicin
This is a newer drug targeting a specific aspect of the c.difficile bacteria. It does less damage to the rest of the stomach flora, and those treated with it are less likely to have further infections. It is costly. Find out more at our Fidaxomicin page
Faecal transplants (FMT)
The treatment of last resort is a faecal microbiota transplant. This therapy involves placing specially treated faecal matter from a relative or carefully chosen donor inside the intestine of a sufferer is also being used. The evidence indicates that it ends their chronic C Diff infections for many. Find out more about faecal transplants here .
See other C Diff Treatment pages below
- C Diff Fecal Transplant Therapy – 7 Key Facts
- C Diff Diet? Aid your recovery, ease your pain and combat further infection
- C Diff Treatment – discover 6 facts you should be aware of
- C Diff Test – correct diagnosis leads to correct treatment
- Why do some people have recurrent C Diff infections?
Treatment News
Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Some doctors are using a Flagyl/Vanco combination and other are using Dificid which is linked to less recuurence as it actually kills C Diff rather than supressing it. You may want to discuss this with your doctor.
Dave
Is their something that can be done to try and treat this by myself before seeing a doctor and getting on antibiotics?
https://cdifficile.org/fighting-c-diff-with-probiotics/
Check the page above. there are few studies that suggest a best ‘probiotic’ for c diff
Dave
cdifficile.org
People do not tend to be actively contagious unless they have diarrhea. This leads to spores and fecal dust finding it’s way onto people’s hands and then into their stomachs. It can then be there without ill effect until they have antibiotic treatment. The risk to you is low – and even lower if all family members practice good hand hygiene before and after visits.
Hope this helps
dave
cdifficile.org