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Diagnosed With Giardia And Put On Cipro And Flagyl. Having Diarrhea And Pain In Intestines. Suggest?

Posted on Fri, 2 Aug 2013

Question: Hello, I was diagnosed with giardia 5 days ago and put on cipro and flagyl. Most of my symptoms have improved but I'm experiencing diarrhea which is black. Should this be a concern and should I cease taking the cipro? ( I've finished with the flagyl course) Also my stools were dark prior to starting the antibiotics but seem blacker now. Also the inflamed pain in my upper intestine persists but has decreased since starting antibiotics.

I've had giardia for 2 months stools started getting black about 3 weeks ago. How long can I expect to have black stools? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (13 minutes later)

Hello and thanks for the query.

It may take some time for your stools to return to normal color. Sometimes this may take two to four weeks. I would continue the Cipro until completion.

If you continue to have cramps and dark stools several days after the Cipro is done, I would advise that you contact your physician again - you may need a repeat exam to make sure the giardiasis has been eliminated.

Of course if you devel severe pains or fever, chills, nausea or vomiting - that would be something to see the doctor about more immediately.

Thanks again for the query. Please let me know if you have any additional concerns.

Dr Galamaga

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T