Diarrhea due to antibiotics: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is antibiotic-induced diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a disease characterized by loose or runny bowel movements that require you to go back and forth to the toilet. Diarrhea can occur after taking drugs to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics). Diarrhea due to antibiotics is characterized by bowel movements 3 or more times immediately after taking the medicine.

Often times, antibiotic-related diarrhea doesn't require treatment if it's still mild. Diarrhea generally gets better within a few days after you stop taking antibiotics. Diarrhea due to more serious antibiotics can require stopping or changing the antibiotics.

How common is this condition?

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. This condition can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of antibiotic-induced diarrhea?

Common symptoms of antibiotic-related diarrhea include:

Liquid stool
More frequent bowel movements

Antibiotic-related diarrhea will likely start within a week after you start taking antibiotics. Sometimes, diarrhea and other symptoms do not appear until days or weeks after you finish treatment with antibiotics.

C. difficile are toxin-producing bacteria that cause colitis due to antibiotics. These bacteria can arise due to antibiotic therapy which disrupts the balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. Apart from loose stools, infection C. difficile can cause:

Pain and cramps in the lower abdomen
Low fever
Nausea
Loss of appetite

One of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Dehydration can seriously be life threatening. Signs and symptoms include very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urine output, and feeling weak.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes antibiotic-induced diarrhea?

The cause of this condition is not known with certainty. This condition is often believed to occur when antibacterial treatment (antibiotics) upsets the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract.

Most antibiotics can cause antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Antibiotics that are most often triggered include:

Cephalosporins, such as cefixime (Suprax) and cefpodoxime
Penicillins, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Larotid, others) and ampicillin

Triggers

What puts me at risk for antibiotic-induced diarrhea?

There are many triggering factors that can cause you to get diarrhea due to antibiotics, namely:

Have had diarrhea due to previous antibiotics
Using antibiotic drugs in the long term
Take more than one antibiotic drug

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics?

Treatment for antibiotic-induced diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.

Medication to treat mild diarrhea due to antibiotics: if you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms will likely disappear within a few days after antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases your doctor may advise you to stop antibiotic therapy until the diarrhea subsides.
Medications to fight harmful bacteria in infections C. difficile: if you have an infection C. difficile, the doctor can give antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause antibiotic-related diarrhea. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require re-treatment.

There are several things you can do to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics:

1. Drink enough fluids

To treat minor fluid loss due to diarrhea, drink plenty of water. For more serious conditions, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt, such as ORS. Try broth or fruit juice. Avoid drinks that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and coffee cola, which can worsen symptoms.

For babies and children with diarrhea, ask the doctor to use an oral rehydration solution, such as ORS, to replace fluids and electrolytes.

2. Choose foods that are soft and easy to digest

Bananas and rice are examples of foods that are good for consumption during diarrhea. Avoid high-fiber foods such as nuts and vegetables. Once your symptoms improve, you can return to your normal diet.

3. Consume probiotics

Microorganisms like acidophilus helps restore balance to the intestinal tract by increasing the number of good bacteria. Probiotics are available in capsule or liquid form and are also added to some foods, such as some brands of yogurt.

Studies show that some probiotics can be useful in treating diarrhea associated with antibiotics. However, further research is needed to better understand what strains of the bacteria are most beneficial and the dosages required.

4. Use anti-diarrheal drugs

In some cases of mild diarrhea related to antibiotics, the doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal drugs, such as drugs containing loperamide. However, check with your doctor before using anti-diarrheal medications as they can interfere with the body's ability to flush out toxins and cause serious complications.

Prevention

How can you prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics?

To prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics, you can do the following:

Use antibiotics only when needed. Do not use antibiotics unless your doctor feels it is necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they cannot treat viral infections, such as colds and flu.
Ask your caregivers to wash their hands. If you are hospitalized, ask anyone to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer alcohol-based ingredients before touching you.
Tell your doctor if you have had diarrhea from antibiotics before. Once you have antibiotic-induced diarrhea increases the chance that the antibiotic will cause the same reaction again. Your doctor can choose another antibiotic for you.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.