Antibiotics for diarrhea caused by bacterial infection

Diarrhea generally occurs due to infection in the digestive system. Symptoms of diarrhea such as repeated bowel movements and weakness can usually be relieved by drinking lots of water and getting enough rest. However, for cases of diarrhea due to severe infections, the solution may require antibiotics. What antibiotics are effective for treating diarrhea?

Various antibiotic drugs that doctors prescribe to treat diarrhea

Not all cases of diarrhea are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs that act to fight, slow down, and destroy the growth of bacteria in the body. Therefore, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics only if the cause of your diarrhea is a bacterial infection.

However, not just any antibiotic can be prescribed for diarrhea. The reason is, most antibiotics can cause side effects in the form of indigestion that can exacerbate the problem.

The following are options of antibiotics that doctors can prescribe to treat diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection:

1. Cotrimoxazole

Cotrimoxazole is an antibiotic that contains two types of medicinal substances, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Cotrimoxazole is usually prescribed to treat diarrhea caused by infection Escherichia coli (E. coli).

This antibiotic can be prescribed for young children and adults who are allergic to penilisin, but not for those with a sulfonamide allergy.

The dose of this antibiotic for adults is 2 tablets to be taken 2 times a day, while the dose for children will depend on body weight.

The most common side effect of this antibiotic is headache. If you experience a skin rash or any type of allergic reaction, tell your doctor right away. You may be prescribed other antibiotics to treat diarrhea.

2. Cefixime

Cefixime is a cephalosporin class of antibiotics that are believed to be effective in quickly relieving diarrhea due to bacterial infection Salmonella typhi. Diarrhea caused by Salmonella bacteria usually also causes symptoms of vomiting (gastroenteritis).

Drink enough water while consuming cefixime. Cefixime also has the potential to cause nausea and discomfort in the stomach. Therefore, you should choose foods that are not too heavy to digest. You can also drink cefixime after meals to avoid nausea.

If diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or the stool is accompanied by blood, consult a doctor immediately.

3. Metronidazole

Metronidazole is an antibiotic to treat bacterial infections of the stomach or intestines that cause diarrhea.

The dose of the drug metronidazole for treating diarrhea is usually 250-750 mg to be taken three times a day for 7-10 days.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well before you pour the dose into a spoon. Measure out liquid medicine using the dropper provided, medicine glass, or with a special dose measuring spoon. Do not measure out with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose gauge, ask your pharmacist.

If you are prescribed tablets, swallow them whole by guzzling water. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet to make it easier to drink.

Metronidazole consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before it is prescribed, or if you have recently become pregnant while using this medicine.

Antibiotics for diarrhea have side effects such as headaches and dizziness. Drink according to the doctor's prescription and dosage so that the risk is minimized.

4. Azythromycin

Azythromycin (including erythromycin is a macrolide class of antibiotics commonly used to treat traveler's diarrhea due to bacterial infection Campylobacter jejuni.

According to a 2017 study in International Journal of Infectious Disease, diarrhea symptoms experienced by a number of tourists in Thailand recovered within 72 hours of taking azithromycin according to a doctor's prescription.

This antibiotic for diarrhea has side effects such as mild stomach pain, urge to have a bowel movement, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and flatulence. However, these side effects are mild and can heal on their own.

5. Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone class antibiotic to treat bacteria Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enteritidis causes of diarrhea.

Still according to a study fromInternational Journal of Infectious Disease which was released in 2017, ciprofloxacin will only be given if the effects of first-line antibiotics such as cotrimoxazole and cefixime are not effective in treating diarrhea.

Taking the drug ciprofloxacin through drinking is better absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. However, this drug administration only applies to areas or areas that do not have cases of fluoroquinolone antibiotic resistance.

6. Levofloxacin

Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone class antibiotic which is also used to kill bacteria that cause diarrhea.

Levofloxacin is often prescribed for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea because of its ability to speed up healing time and is better tolerated by the body. The effect of levofloxacin on diarrhea, on average, begins to appear within 6-9 hours after the first dose.

The antibiotic levofloxacin can cause side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and constipation although it is rare.

Your doctor may prescribe other antibiotics apart from the ones mentioned above. So, you should consult your doctor further to get a diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea that is more appropriate for your condition.

Rules for taking antibiotic drugs when diarrhea

Antibiotics are types of drugs whose dosage rules and dosages need close supervision by a doctor. The reason is, the careless or unnecessary use of antibiotics can trigger bacterial resistance.

This condition indicates that the bacteria in the body are resistant to the effects of the drug so that antibiotics are no longer able to be resisted. Antibiotic resistance then causes your immune system to become weaker against diseases caused by infection. As a result, the disease will last longer and be more difficult to cure.

So to avoid this risk, you need to comply with the correct procedure for using antibiotics.

The following are things to watch out for:

Always take antibiotics on time and on the right dose, as directed by your doctor.
Always buy the number of antibiotics your doctor prescribes (no more, no less).
Take the antibiotic for the prescribed length of time. Continue to take the medication until it runs out even though you feel better.
Don't skip doses. It is also not recommended to take two doses at once when you forget to take your medication.
Do not change your doctor's dose. Do not reduce or increase the dose that has been prescribed by the doctor in order to get well soon.
Do not save antibiotics in case the disease will recur in the future.
Do not just give or suggest antibiotics to other people.
Do not take antibiotics that doctors prescribe for others.
Always tell your doctor if you are taking other medications or vitamins while being prescribed antibiotics.

Home care while taking antibiotics for diarrhea

Symptoms of diarrhea generally resolve within 1 to 3 days. While finishing the antibiotic prescribed for diarrhea by your doctor, do the following home remedies for a faster recovery. This treatment is also called a natural remedy for diarrhea.

Here are various treatments that you can apply to cure diarrhea, such as:

1. Consume plenty of fluids

When diarrhea strikes, the body will lose a lot of fluid which continues to pass out with feces. In order to prevent dehydration in the body, consume lots of fluids during diarrhea.

You can drink lots of mineral water. Ordinary by eating clear spinach or clear chicken soup. However, it is best not to add chili or pepper when serving as the hot taste can exacerbate symptoms.

2. Drink ORS

You need to consume lots of fluids during and after diarrhea strikes to prevent dehydration. Apart from drinking lots of water, it may also be necessary to add to drinking the ORS solution while you have diarrhea.

ORS can help replace the electrolyte levels your body loses because you continue to waste water. ORS can keep the levels of minerals and electrolytes in the body in balance, thereby lowering your risk of dehydration.

You can buy ORS at a pharmacy or drug store. You can also make your own ORS with ingredients you have at home. How to make ORS itself is to dissolve 6 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water. Afterwards, stir evenly and drink a glass every 4-6 hours.

3. Eat foods low in fiber

Banana, plain rice, toast (without jam or toppings), and mashed apples are a good food for diarrhea because they are low in fiber but high in carbohydrates.

When diarrhea, you are advised to eat these foods to keep the intestines and stomach from working too hard. Low-fiber foods are good to eat because they make it easier for the digestive system to process food when you are infected.

These foods are also high in carbohydrates, which can quickly produce energy to help the body fight the bacteria that cause diarrhea.