Amoxicillin and behavioral changes

scoutkate

Hi, Parenting! 

Has anyone ever witnessed any behavioral changes in their children while on amoxicillin? 

Betsy was sick with strep last week and was prescribed amoxicillin nine days ago.  She is normally an incredibly even-tempered, sweet, charming kid but about five or six days ago, she became almost unrecognizable over night.  She has been extremely agressive both at home and at school--she has even injured a couple of classmates, which she has NEVER done before. She has violent tantrums with seemingly no triggers at all, has forgotten how to use her words, and cannot be reasoned with at all. 

I know that sounds like pretty normal toddler behavior, but the change was so drastic and sudden that I can't help thinking there's an outside factor at play here, and the only change in her life this week has been the antibiotics.  So I did a little googling and found a fair bit of anecdotal evidence from other parents who have witnessed the same in their kids.  My MIL who is a doctor says she's heard of this before and advised I go ahead and stop the anitbiotics (we're on day nine of a ten day course), and I've put in a call to the pedi to run it by them as well. 

Just curious if any of y'all have experienced anything similiar. 

acesup

i've never heard of that but a call to the pedi definitely wouldnt hurt. and if youre on day 9 of 10 i dont see why you cant stop. worst case scenario they can recheck her and if the infection isnt fully cleared they can prescribe a different antibiotic for a few days. 

Glitter Pop

My DS is this way!! I have requested that he is never on Amox or Augmentin. Those antibiotics make him nuts!

RondackHiker

Could she just be feeling rotten? I've had allergic reactions to drugs before and feel so absolutely horrendous. I imagine I'd be having tantrums and hitting people if I could as well.

Definitely let us know what your doc says!

Glitter Pop

My pedi said that he has heard of other parents complaining of the same thing. He said there is no medical explanation, but he did believe that it effects some children this way. DS is a pretty easy going guy, he's busy but has an easy temperament. Amox and Augmentin make him an aggressive mess. His tantrums are epic and he literally tries to climb the walls. Even his ECI therapist can tell a difference.

Kitten80

Yes, just last week although it took me a couple days to decide it had to be the medicine.  My LO is pretty "busy" and can be hyper/have a hard time listening, but on the mediciine, eeks. Watch out.  It was his first time on it.  I'm going to discuss with doctor at our upcoming appointment.

scoutkate

Still waiting on a call back from the pedi's office, but I'm really starting to believe this is actually a "thing" and not just wishful thinking on my part (because if this kind of behavior is what we have to look forward to for the next year, expect a breakdown in my near future). 

I guess it's possible she's still feeling worn down or cruddy from the strep, though.  I don't think she's had any stomach issues since she's pretty good about articulating that sort of thing. 

Thanks for all the responses, y'all!  I'll update when I've talked to the nurse. 

WYEngTeacher

Very interesting. My DD had an allergic reaction to amox (hives all over body) on day 9 or 10, and then acted that same way for a couple weeks. I attributed the behavior to the reaction, but maybe it was actually just a result of the amox itself! 

MrsJakes

My son was on amoxicillin for an ear infection a couple weeks ago. About 3-4 days in he became clingy and whiny. He cried when I dropped him off at daycare. He's been going for 1.5 years and has never cried. He didn't want to be looked at or touched by anyone but me. Nothing would satisfy him.  

A couple days after he got off of them, he was completely back to his normal self. He's not generally like that even when he's sick, so I don't think it was the sickness causing it, especially since it lasted so long. I honestly think it was the medicine. He's only ever been on antibotics twice, and I don't think it was amoxicillin the first time.  

Macaroni1

If your LO was given steroids to treat the hives he got after the Amoxicillin, that might explain his behavior changes after the hives manifested. Steroids commonly cause aggressive behavior and anxiety. How long did you treat with the steroids?