Diarrhea after antibiotics: Causes, prevention, and treatments

In this article, we will discuss in detail why diarrhea occurs when taking antibiotics, what are its main causes, how it can be prevented, what methods of treatment are used, and how to restore intestinal health. If you want to understand in more depth how to support the digestive system, it is worth taking a look at expert advice on digestion, which can help you understand natural ways to support the intestines.

Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, but they do not divide them into “bad” and “good” – they act on a broad spectrum, therefore destroying not only microorganisms that cause infection, but also beneficial intestinal bacteria. This process leads to dysbacteriosis or dysbiosis – a condition in which the natural balance of intestinal microflora is disrupted.

In a healthy body, the intestinal microbiota performs many important functions: it breaks down nutrients, produces vitamins, maintains the integrity of the intestinal walls and protects against colonization by pathogenic bacteria. When antibiotics destroy these good bacteria, the loss of intestinal microbiota can lead to various digestive disorders, especially diarrhea.

Research shows that about 5-30 percent of people taking antibiotics experience diarrhea. This is especially common with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin, clindamycin, or ampicillin.

In some situations, antibiotics can allow pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, to grow without competition. This bacterium produces toxins that damage the intestinal lining and can cause very severe diarrhea or even colitis.

Dysbiosis is a condition in which the balance between beneficial and potentially pathogenic bacteria in the gut is disrupted. A healthy gut contains a diverse array of bacterial species, which together form an ecosystem that performs many important functions. When antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria, pathogenic bacteria can begin to multiply.

The healthy microbiota is dominated by bacterial groups such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. During dysbiosis, the ratio of these bacteria changes, their diversity decreases, which directly affects intestinal functions – nutrient absorption, intestinal wall integrity, and metabolism.

Common Symptoms and Possible Complications

• frequent loose stools (more than 3 times a day)
• sudden, urgent need to defecate
• abdominal pain or cramps
• bloating
• nausea

• fever
• blood or mucus in your stool
• severe, persistent abdominal pain
• signs of dehydration (thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination)

Risk factors – who is more likely to experience the problem?

• Age – children under 2 years of age and the elderly (over 65 years of age) are more likely to experience antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
• Type of antibiotic – broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g. clindamycin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones) are more likely to cause diarrhea than narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
• Duration of treatment – ​​longer courses of antibiotics increase the risk.
• Previous experience – if you have previously experienced diarrhea after taking antibiotics, you are more likely to experience it again.
• Intestinal diseases – people with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disorders.
• Immune system status – people with a weakened immune system.
• Hospitalization – patients treated in hospitals, especially those undergoing surgery.

Prevention – how to reduce the risk of diarrhea after antibiotics?

• Take antibiotics only as prescribed – strictly follow your doctor’s prescription, do not take antibiotics on your own and always complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms disappear earlier.
• Use of probiotics – research shows that certain probiotics can significantly reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The most effective strains are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii.
• Timing of probiotics – it is best to take them at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics so that the antibiotics do not destroy the good bacteria.
• Nutrition – during use, you should follow a light but balanced diet, avoid alcohol, fatty, spicy foods.
• Fluids – drink plenty of water, as dehydration can worsen symptoms.
• Prebiotics – foods rich in fiber help maintain good bacteria (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).

What to eat and what to avoid when taking antibiotics?

• Fermented dairy products – natural yogurt, kefir, sour milk (if there are no contraindications)
• Fermented vegetables – sauerkraut, cucumbers
• Fiber-rich products – whole grain bread, porridge, legumes
• Prebiotics – garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, artichokes
• Easily digestible proteins – cooked chicken, fish

 

Products that are better to avoid:

• Alcohol (can irritate the intestines and interact with antibiotics)
• Spicy, fatty, fried dishes
• High sugar content (sugar promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria)
• Caffeine (may have a diuretic effect, increasing the risk of dehydration)
• Difficult to digest foods (nuts, seeds, green vegetables – individually)

Treatment methods – how to relieve or stop diarrhea after antibiotics?

• Rehydration – Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Water, weak tea, and natural juices are best. In more severe cases, oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes may be helpful.
• Diet – The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet is recommended, which facilitates digestion. Eat small, frequent meals.
• Probiotics – Research-based probiotic preparations, especially those with Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, can significantly shorten the duration of diarrhea.
• Medications – Antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), can be used in mild cases. However, they should not be used if C. difficile infection is suspected or if there is fever or blood in the stool.

• If diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days
• If blood or mucus is visible in the stool
• If you have a fever (temperature above 38°C)
• If you experience severe abdominal pain
• If you experience signs of dehydration (dizziness, thirst, dark yellow urine)
• For ongoing digestive support, we recommend checking out the top-rated gut health supplements that can help restore gut balance faster.

How to restore gut microbiota after antibiotics?

• Long-term use of probiotics – continue taking probiotics for at least 1-2 weeks after the end of the course of antibiotics. They will help restore the population of beneficial bacteria faster.
• Prebiotics – include sources of prebiotics in your diet that feed good intestinal bacteria: chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, banana, onion, garlic.
• Fermented products – regularly consume natural yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or kombucha, a drink rich in live cultures.
• Fiber – various fibers act as “food” for beneficial bacteria, so include vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains in your diet.
• Avoiding excess sugars – refined sugar promotes the growth of pathogenic bacteria, so it is recommended to reduce its consumption.
• Stress – it has been scientifically proven that stress negatively affects the intestinal microbiota, so stress management is an important part of restoring the microbiota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does diarrhea occur after taking antibiotics?

How to avoid diarrhea when taking antibiotics?

What probiotics are most effective in treating diarrhea after antibiotics?

How long does it take for the intestinal microflora to recover after antibiotics?

When should you see a doctor for diarrhea after antibiotics?