Post - penicilin diving

[Sasha_K]

Hey guys,

I can't seem to find my NAUI beginner manual, but I think there was a note there on diving while taking penicilin. I tried searching the forum, but I couldn't find anything.

I started taking penicilin pills for (severe) tooth problem I have. I have some 40 pills to take, at 3 per day, that's 2 weeks or so.

I'm wondering if it is safe to dive while taking penicilin. I thinl the manual said that side effects of pills under pressure can be quite different and/or dangerous.

Thanks in advance

[cummings66]

I don't think you'll see the medicine you're taking constrained by a dive manual, but it is in there about medicines sometimes acting differently. Actually I think it's more that your body behaves different.

I think if I had a question like yours I'd call DAN and ask them. Myself, I've been on Doxycycline for a month and it's not bothering me much at all. I don't think I'd sweat Penicillin though, it is curious that actually gave you penicillin because they rarely prescribe the real stuff anymore.

[Damselfish]

it's possible the tooth problem you're taking them for could be of more concern

[WetHog]

I would be more concerned about the "severe" tooth problems than the penicillin.

Infection means pain and a void, add pressure and a potential squeeze to that. OUCH!!!!

[mselizann]

I tried to do a quick search- seems like antibiotics aren't a problem. Under pressure, the effects may be more intense- but that shouldn't be a problem unless you have an allergy...

[Martin2]

You might want to see how the tooth feels before planning any real dives. I had my wisdom teeth pulled not that long ago, and I think the pressure from diving would have been killer early on.

[JimHar99]

Originally Posted by cummings66

Myself, I've been on Doxycycline for a month and it's not bothering me much at all. I don't think I'd sweat Penicillin though, it is curious that actually gave you penicillin because they rarely prescribe the real stuff anymore.

I was on Doxycycline when I ws in Bonaire, about a month ago. My doctor just warned me to stay out of the sun (as much as possible on a diving vacation) and wear plenty of sun screen.

[cummings66]

Yup, that's about it for my antibiotic. I think he's safe aside from whatever is making him use those antibiotics. Even then for a tooth I doubt it's serious. If he has multiple cavities it's going to be a hole and the air will go in and out of it just fine. He's not likely to have a pocket that air gets in and not out or vice versa. Could happen, but it's tough to call.

I still believe DAN is a better source for this answer. Based on my teeth and the conditions I've dove with I think he's safe. I've done it with a temp crown and also with a cavity. I've been on antibiotics while diving as well and never had an issue. But that's me and not him.

[Sasha_K]

Nothing like answering my own question :-)

I finally found my NAUI beginners manual..page 111.

....The effects of any drug may be modified under pressure, and little is known about potential problems that can occur when medications are used under water. A drug that causes drowsiness on the surface can be worse under water. ....Avoid taking drugs you know have side effects on you....

So, I guess I am safe :-)

[diver-wife]

call Dan, although I am a Rph, and I cannot think of any rxn that PCN would cause underwater, although again the tooth problem could potentially be an issue