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What Is the Connection between Amoxicillin and Diarrhea?

Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson

The connection between amoxicillin and diarrhea is that one frequently causes the other: diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of amoxicillin treatments. Medical experts usually tell their patients to expect a bit of intestinal trouble when they’re just starting the drug, though in most cases it shouldn’t be anything extreme. People don’t usually need to report their symptoms unless they’re particularly severe. Very watery stools, diarrhea that is bloody, or persistent looseness for more than about a week are all signs that something more serious may be going on, and in these instances people should usually undergo a more thorough evaluation. In most cases, though, patients should keep taking their medication as prescribed unless expressly told not to by a healthcare provider.

Most Common Side Effects

People should receive medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours.
People should receive medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours.

Amoxicillin is a type of antibiotic drug in the penicillin family that works by targeting and killing certain strains of harmful bacteria. In simple terms, it destroys the shield-like cell wall protecting the bacteria and keeping it together. This action makes amoxicillin a useful agent in treating a number of different conditions, some of the most common being middle ear infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea. Drugs in this category are usually very effective, but they aren’t always easy on a person’s system.

Yogurt with live cultures can rebuild intestinal flora after diarrhea.
Yogurt with live cultures can rebuild intestinal flora after diarrhea.

Bacteria live throughout the body, but they are often particularly prolific in the intestines and gut. When these die out or are weakened by antibiotic medications, people often experience bowel trouble as a result. Diarrhea is one of the common side effects of amoxicillin, along with vomiting and nausea. Many patients taking the drug will experience these issues, but in most cases they needn’t be concerned about them. Diarrhea is usually defined as passing three or more loose stools per day. Any patient passing fewer loose stools than this are unlikely to be experiencing a link between amoxicillin and diarrhea.

Causes for Concern

Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea in some people.
Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea in some people.

There are some instances in which intestinal trouble in conjunction with amoxicillin isn’t routine, though. If the diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours or is especially severe, patients should usually contact a doctor, and the same is true for stools that seem to be made mostly of water or that contain a lot of blood. A bacteria known as Clostridium difficile is often the cause in these cases. This particular bacteria is not usually impacted by the drug, but others that keep it in check sometimes are, which can mean that it can grow more or less uninhibited in certain people and can overpopulate the bowel. Blood or watery diarrhea is frequently a sign of this sort of infection, and it can be life-threatening if not treated.

Treatment Options

Watery or bloody diarrhea is a more serious condition than ordinary loose stools.
Watery or bloody diarrhea is a more serious condition than ordinary loose stools.

There are a number of different options for people experiencing diarrhea after taking amoxicillin; finding the right one usually depends on the severity of the condition as well as a person’s overall health. In most cases, though, diarrhea treatments fall into three broad categories: absorbents, anti-motility drugs, and bismuth compounds. Absorbents take in water from the intestines and in so doing help a person produce more solid stools. Anti-motility drugs work by relaxing the muscles within the colon, leading to slower flow of intestinal contents and therefore greater absorption of water. Bismuth compounds, by contrast, are believed to possess qualities similar to antibiotics, and these combat the actual bacteria responsible for the diarrhea. These are usually safe to take in conjunction with antibiotics like amoxicillin, but not always, so people should be sure to check with their health care provider before taking these kinds of medications.

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.
Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.

It’s also important for people to remember that antibiotics are only usually effective when the entire prescription is taken. It can be tempting to discontinue the drug once symptoms go away or when negative side effects set in, but this isn’t always the best thing to do. Stopping mid-regimen can sometimes cause the harmful bacteria to grow even stronger, and come back even more forcefully.

Weighing the Risks and Benefits

Although amoxicillin and diarrhea are commonly linked, the main action of the drug is usually worth some of the minor side effects. Depending on a person’s condition, antibiotics are often the best and most effective way to reach a cure. They aren’t usually the only option, though. People with allergies to certain antibiotic ingredients or who experience particularly severe side effects are usually best served by trying out a different option, at least in the short term. Anyone who is concerned about diarrhea while on this or similar drugs, or who worries that there may be a larger problem, should schedule a meeting with a qualified healthcare provider.

How To Get Rid of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is your body's way of handling disruptions in your system. It may occur because of a viral infection, food poisoning, antibiotics and water contamination. Loose bowel movements are disruptive, painful and exhausting for your body. It is normal to want to stop it as soon as it begins. The following treatments may help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Boost Your Fluid Intake

During every trip to the bathroom, you lose more water. The more water you lose, the more dehydrated and sluggish you feel. Your body needs rest and fluids. Try to drink about one cup of liquid for every loose bowel movement. Choose between water, soda, fruit juice or salty broth. Do not drink fluids with caffeine and try to stick to clear juices and sodas.

Sipping fluids is less likely to make you nauseous. Many people also experience nausea when drinking water alone with diarrhea. To avoid feeling sick to your stomach, dilute the water with fruit juice. The fruit juice may help you stay hydrated.

Use Medication for Treatment

If under medical supervision, ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication. Various medications treat acute loose bowel movements. If your bowel movements are severe, the medication may be less effective. The two most common medications are bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide. Most people know the two medications under their brand names, Pepto-Bismol and Imodium.

Keep in mind that medications treat the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. If you have a child with diarrhea, always ask a doctor beforehand because many medicines are not recommended for use in children.

Try Probiotics

When trying to figure out how to get rid of diarrhea, you may have heard that probiotics are good for you. Probiotics are a source of good bacteria for your intestines. Your gut requires probiotics to create a healthy environment.

Different foods, like kimchi, yogurt, pickles, cottage cheese and kombucha have probiotics. You can also find probiotics in pill and powder form. Probiotics help because they are necessary for a functioning gastrointestinal system. If your bacteria is unbalanced, you may suffer from loose bowel movements. Probiotics put everything back in balance for you.

A yeast probiotic like Saccharomyces boulardii may help those who have antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It helps your body fight off unwanted pathogens.

What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea

Many people try to avoid food when they have diarrhea. You may fear that you'll worsen your symptoms if you consume food. Unfortunately, skipping meals may cause you to feel weaker and worse over time. You need to eat to keep your strength up, but be careful about what you put into your system.

Foods To Eat

Always eat bland foods when you have loose or watery stools. The BRAT diet is well-known for treating diarrhea. BRAT foods include bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. They are bland, starchy and have very little fiber.

Some people also find that oatmeal, chicken soup, skinless baked chicken and boiled potatoes are tolerable. If you eat meat, boil or bake the meat and do not use spices.

Ways To Eat

When it comes to hunger, listen to your body. If you're hungry, let yourself eat. You should not force yourself to eat, but your body often tells you what it can tolerate. Try to stick to small meals because too much food triggers movement in your gastrointestinal tract. Instead of three large meals, eat about five to six small meals.

Foods To Avoid

Be careful of dairy when you have an upset in your gastrointestinal tract. If you are lactose intolerant or experience lactose maldigestion, do not touch dairy because it may worsen your symptoms. If you usually tolerate dairy, stick to low-fat milk and yogurt. Dairy with probiotics is okay if you typically consume dairy with no problem.

Stay away from fried and greasy food. Do not eat foods high in fiber like fruits and vegetables that increase bloating. Some foods to be mindful of are beans, berries, cabbage, coffee, cauliflower and corn.

Can Antibiotics Cause Diarrhea?

About one in every five people who take antibiotics experience antibiotic-associated diarrhea. While most people experience mild symptoms, it may last for a few days or until you stop taking the antibiotic. Most people begin to develop symptoms about a few days to a week after starting antibiotic use.

There are various theories as to why antibiotics cause diarrhea in some patients. Doctors tend to agree that antibacterial medications disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

Discussion Comments

anon994206

I've been suffering from dental abscesses going back two weeks ago. The dentist removed one tooth, but a week later I was still in pain. Then, overnight, my face swelled up to the size of a grapefruit, and I had to the hospital to be on the safe side.

I was then moved to the dental hospital in the same hospital, where, due to me not being able to open my mouth they couldn't take two more teeth, as I couldn't open my mouth wide. I can just about drink. I'm living on smoothies at the moment.

They gave me a prescription for metronidazole and amoxicillin.

I informed them that I already suffer IBS and penicillin based meds affect my bowels terribly, to the point I need to be near a toilet 24-7. I'm scared to sleep due to it being so severe.

Anyway I'm on day three this morning until I have to go back after tomorrow. After a dreadful night I haven't taken the Amoxicillin this morning but took the metronidazole as requested.

I'm on really strong opiate medication that would cause the opposite in other people.

Not sure if I'm doing the right thing, but I'd rather be able to get the nutrition from the small amount of food I'm able to have via the smoothies, not only that I'm also diabetic. Anyway hopefully they'll change the medication on Tuesday.

anon333496

Took 2000 mg of Amoxicillin as prophylaxis prior to dental cleaning. The next day, I had blood clotting evident in loose stools. Should I be concerned with C diff.?

anon330626

I had a course of Amoxicillin for seven days, 500mg, three times a day. On the sixth day (which was a Friday), I had severe diarrhea, along with severe stomach cramping. On the following Tues, I saw the doctor, I felt awful, really rundown, dehydrated, bad pain. She told me to stay hydrated and ordered some samples be dropped off to check for C diff. Today is Wednesday and I've been in bed with severe cramping and nausea all day, I went back to doctor, she gave me something for the cramping but it's not helping. Results will take a few days to come back.

I had the C diff. issue before. I had an extreme case of pseudomembranous colitis, because doctors kept fobbing me off. I ended up being hospitalized with it. I was very ill and thought I would die at one point without treatment.

I finally got the right treatment in hospital, and it got better. It took months for my digestive system to recover from the damage though. If it doubt, ask to be tested if your diarrhea, after antibiotics, isn't getting better.

literally45

@burcinc-- Actually, it's usually just the opposite. The more amoxicillin is used, the worse diarrhea can get.

It's not just amoxicillin that causes diarrhea. All antibacterial medications are inclined to do this because they kill bacteria. We have good bacteria in our stomach and bowels that help with digestion. When we take antibiotics, some of the good bacteria is killed along with the bad bacteria in our body. But since the digestive system is disrupted, it can cause gastro-intestinal side effects like diarrhea.

It's helpful to eat yogurt while taking antibiotics because yogurt contains good bacteria that will replace the ones we lost from the medicine. So yogurt will help prevent and treat diarrhea while on antibiotics.

burcinc

@ankara-- Doesn't your body adapt to the medication after several uses?

Amoxicillin gives me diarrhea for the first two days but then it goes away. I though it was the same for everyone.

bluedolphin

Amoxicillin is a really good antibiotic. It's the only one that works when I get an upper respiratory infection and I'm grateful to have it available. But I hate the fact that it gives me diarrhea. I don't remember even one time when it didn't cause this side effect.

It's not fun to be already sick and tired and then to be dealing with this on top of everything. But when I get an infection that won't go away and I've been in bed for several weeks, I have no choice but to take this.

I guess I should be grateful that I have something that works but I just wish it didn't give me diarrhea.

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    • People should receive medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours.
      By: Monkey Business
      People should receive medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours.
    • Yogurt with live cultures can rebuild intestinal flora after diarrhea.
      By: NilsZ
      Yogurt with live cultures can rebuild intestinal flora after diarrhea.
    • Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea in some people.
      By: Melpomene
      Amoxicillin can cause diarrhea in some people.
    • Watery or bloody diarrhea is a more serious condition than ordinary loose stools.
      By: ohmega1982
      Watery or bloody diarrhea is a more serious condition than ordinary loose stools.
    • Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.
      By: elisabetta figus
      Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects of amoxicillin.