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How Is Post Antibiotic Diarrhea Prevented ?
Question: I had 4 wisdom teeth extracted 3 days ago. I been taking Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times a day and Cephalexin 500 mg 4 times a day. Today after taking the 3rd pill for the day of the Cephalexin 500mg I began having watery diarrhea 3 times in a matter of 10 minutes which has now stopped 1 hour later. Should I discontinue using this or is this a common side effect when all I have been able to eat is pudding over the past few days?
Also my oral surgeon never said anything about rinsing my mouth after surgery...where the teeth have been removed there are no visible holes that i can see and my gums are pink...do i just leave it alone then?
Also my oral surgeon never said anything about rinsing my mouth after surgery...where the teeth have been removed there are no visible holes that i can see and my gums are pink...do i just leave it alone then?
Hello
Thanks for writing to us.
You are having a post antibiotic diarrhea. It is due to the effect of Cephalexin on your normal gut flora. You need not discontinue cephalexin unless you have a severe diarrhea. You have already taken the antibiotic for three days.
Now you need to add prebiotics and probiotics to your diet. These are available as sachets over the counter at all the pharmacies.
These will help in regrowth of your normal healthy gut flora and thus will prevent further diarrhea. Meanwhile make it sure that you keep yourself well hydrated.
You can rinse your mouth with a XXXXXXX warm saline water to decrease the local swelling and use listerine mouth wash for disinfecting the area after every meal.
Your stitches should heal in 4-5 days if at all there are any.
I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.
Regards.
Thanks for writing to us.
You are having a post antibiotic diarrhea. It is due to the effect of Cephalexin on your normal gut flora. You need not discontinue cephalexin unless you have a severe diarrhea. You have already taken the antibiotic for three days.
Now you need to add prebiotics and probiotics to your diet. These are available as sachets over the counter at all the pharmacies.
These will help in regrowth of your normal healthy gut flora and thus will prevent further diarrhea. Meanwhile make it sure that you keep yourself well hydrated.
You can rinse your mouth with a XXXXXXX warm saline water to decrease the local swelling and use listerine mouth wash for disinfecting the area after every meal.
Your stitches should heal in 4-5 days if at all there are any.
I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I have severe diarrhea (the stool is just water) all I have been able to eat is pudding as my mouth is tender. I was still experiencing severe diarrhea last night and early this morning.
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Since the diarrhoea is severe you can stop taking the antibiotic after informing your dentist.
Start taking probiotics (lactobacillus sp) and plenty of yogurt along with adequate fluids. This diarrhea will be controlled in 3-5 days.
I also suggest to consult the Infectious disease specialist for alternative antibiotics.
Wishing you an early recovery.
Regards.
Thanks for writing again.
Since the diarrhoea is severe you can stop taking the antibiotic after informing your dentist.
Start taking probiotics (lactobacillus sp) and plenty of yogurt along with adequate fluids. This diarrhea will be controlled in 3-5 days.
I also suggest to consult the Infectious disease specialist for alternative antibiotics.
Wishing you an early recovery.
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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