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Drug-induced diarrhea

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Digestive system organs
Digestive system organs

Alternative Names    Return to top

Diarrhea associated with medications

Definition    Return to top

Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools caused by certain medications.

See also: Diarrhea

Causes    Return to top

Nearly all medications may cause diarrhea as a side effect. Some medications, however, are more prone to cause diarrhea than others. For example:

Prevention    Return to top

To prevent diarrhea related to antibiotic use, talk to your doctor about taking supplements containing beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Continue taking these supplements for a few days after you finish taking the course of antibiotics.

References    Return to top

Semrad CE, Powell DW. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 143.

Update Date: 3/5/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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