Why Do Antibiotics Cause Diarrhea? Explained
Antibiotics can cause diarrhoea because they disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your gut.
It happens when treating infection; antibiotics kill harmful and beneficial bacteria during treatment.
The imbalance can lead to digestive issues and overgrowth of harmful bacteria like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff).
While antibiotic medicines are vital for fighting infections, they often come with side effects like other medicines.
So, with antibiotics, diarrhoea becomes one of the most common side effects.
This blog will explain why this happens with antibiotics and how to manage or prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
What symptoms do you face during Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea?
Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea for most people causes mild signs as well as symptoms like:
- Loose stools
- Frequent bowel movements
You need to know that diarrhoea mainly begins after a week you start taking antibiotics.
There are times when diarrhoea and other symptoms do not appear for days or weeks after you stop taking antibiotics.
Also experiencing stomach pain after antibiotics? Discover the causes and solutions in this detailed guide.
What antibiotics are likely to cause diarrhoea?
Although all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, some of the most common antibiotics involved are:
- Penicillins like amoxicillin and ampicillin
- Macrolides like clarithromycin
- Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin
- Cephalosporins like cefdinir and cefpodoxime
The good and bad of antibiotics
Antibiotics can disrupt gut balance by killing harmful and beneficial bacteria, often causing digestive issues like diarrhoea and inflammation.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are more likely to trigger such side effects.
Though side effects are usually mild and temporary.
However, some individuals, especially those with weak immune systems or in nursing homes, may experience prolonged diarrhoea.
As it may lead to serious complications like colitis or toxic megacolon.
Inform your doctor if symptoms appear; they may adjust your medication.
Not everyone experiences side effects, and many antibiotics work without causing diarrhoea.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, fatty, spicy, high-fibre foods, and dairy products during treatment.
However, adding probiotics can help restore gut bacteria and support digestion and immunity.
Mild antibiotic-associated diarrhoea often resolves on its own or with probiotics, while severe cases may need stopping the antibiotic and starting targeted treatment.
Wondering if antibiotics affect your immunity? Uncover the truth about antibiotics and your immune system here.
Treatment Options and Recovery
Mild antibiotic-associated diarrhoea often resolves on its own or with probiotics, while severe cases may need stopping the antibiotic and starting targeted treatment.
Doctors may advise probiotics like Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii to help balance good bacteria in the gut.
Also, certain foods and drinks may help treat and prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Recovery usually takes a few days to a week, but diarrhoea can return after stopping antibiotics if the gut flora hasn't fully recovered.
Till then, you may need to monitor symptoms and consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
What are the Foods you must eat to treat Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea?
Here are foods and beverages you need to consume when suffering from diarrhoea due to the consumption of antibiotics.
- Fluids like water, decaffeinated tea, and broth
- Protein sources including fish, poultry, and lean meats
- Fruits such as bananas, applesauce, and a small amount of canned fruit without syrup
- Peeled potatoes that are boiled and baked
- Grains like white rice and white bread
Also, avoid consuming grapefruit and calcium supplements because they both interfere with antibiotics.
Here are the types of Food you should eat to treat Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea:
Consuming low-fiber foods
When you are healthy, high-fibre foods are recommended, but eating them during diarrhoea can worsen your condition.
Refilling lost fluids and salts
Diarrhea leads to loss of fluids as well as electrolytes from your body. This makes it necessary to replace these.
Replacing potassium
When you suffer from diarrhoea, this nutrient is lost, but consuming potassium-rich foods can replace it easily.
Discover the best foods to eat during antibiotic treatment to support your gut and boost recovery.
What are the ways to prevent diarrhoea when using antibiotics?
Taking some steps beforehand can lower your risk of suffering from diarrhoea when taking antibiotics:
- Some antibiotics are taken along with the Food to avoid digestive irritation. So, you must follow the medicine instructions.
- Antibiotics should be taken only when needed to treat bacterial infections because they do not treat viral infections.
- Practice good hygiene and wash your hands after using the bathroom.
- Try probiotics because they are vital in adding good bacteria to your digestive system.
- If you already have diarrhoea, inform the doctor before starting the antibiotic intake.
So, you should eat low-fibre foods and follow your doctor's instructions when you're sick of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Also, learn how to manage common antibiotic side effects before they disrupt your recovery—read more here.
Would you happen to know?
Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the body, increasing the risk of yeast infections, especially caused by Candida. This is most common in the vagina (vaginal yeast infections) or mouth (oral thrush). Broad-spectrum antibiotics are more likely to cause these issues.
Final Lines:
Antibiotics treat infections but may disrupt gut bacteria, causing diarrhoea in about 1 in 5 people using antibiotics.
Severe cases may need medical attention, while in others, the symptoms resolve themselves with time.
You may prevent it by following prescriptions, maintaining hygiene, using probiotics, and adjusting your diet.
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Not necessarily; diarrhoea is not a sign that your antibiotics are working. Diarrhea occurs because antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria, not because the drug is more effective.
Eat bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast (BRAT diet), plain crackers, and non-citrus fruits; however, if the conditions persist, consult a doctor.
Some antibiotics absorb better without Food, while some are best taken on an empty stomach. Taking them incorrectly may reduce their effectiveness, so take them in the way prescribed to you.
Stay hydrated, eat mild foods, and consider probiotics or antidiarrheal meds to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. See a doctor if it worsens or persists.