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I Have Diarrhea For 16 Days Now. My Doctor Gave
Question: I have diarrhea for 16 days now. my doctor gave me a prescription for Diphenoxylate/atropine tablets (2.5 milligrams) which I have been taking every 6 to 8 hours the last 7 days. I have seen no improvement or conclusion of the problem. About 4 days ago, my wife called my doctor to tell him that my condition did not change, so he prescribed a new medication Metronidazole (550 milligrams) but my wife called our daughter (who worked as a physician's assistant with the U.S. Navy). She told her to not take this new med, because the side affects are very dangerous.
Brief Answer:
the cause of diarrhoea should be evaluated in details...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...
I can understand your concern...
Well, Metronidazole is generally advised when there are suspected infectious causes (bacterial or protozoal) behind such diarrhoea. It seems to ongoing for quite a while now.
I'd suggest a few investigations, namely: Stool microscopy and culture sensitivity study, Liver function test, amylase, lipase, U&E to look into it further. Metronidazole, if required, can be taken thereafter under the supervision of your doctor (please don't worry about the side effects, it's the benefits which overrule them).
Since the Diphenoxylate/atropine combination failed to control/improve your condition, another prescription based medication i.e. Racecadotril (usually it's advised as 100mg three times daily for 2-3 days) can be tried for a few days and observe how you stay afterwards. Please discuss this with your doctor and proceed further.
Meanwhile, please drink a lot of fluids. Have plenty of electrolyte-rich fluids (eg. ORS solution, Gatorade, coconut water etc.) warm liquids (soups, broth, semisolid porridge etc.) to compensate with the ongoing fluid and electrolyte loss during this period.
Have simple home-made foods, high fibre diet, plenty of yoghurts daily for the time being.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take Care
Kind Regards
the cause of diarrhoea should be evaluated in details...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...
I can understand your concern...
Well, Metronidazole is generally advised when there are suspected infectious causes (bacterial or protozoal) behind such diarrhoea. It seems to ongoing for quite a while now.
I'd suggest a few investigations, namely: Stool microscopy and culture sensitivity study, Liver function test, amylase, lipase, U&E to look into it further. Metronidazole, if required, can be taken thereafter under the supervision of your doctor (please don't worry about the side effects, it's the benefits which overrule them).
Since the Diphenoxylate/atropine combination failed to control/improve your condition, another prescription based medication i.e. Racecadotril (usually it's advised as 100mg three times daily for 2-3 days) can be tried for a few days and observe how you stay afterwards. Please discuss this with your doctor and proceed further.
Meanwhile, please drink a lot of fluids. Have plenty of electrolyte-rich fluids (eg. ORS solution, Gatorade, coconut water etc.) warm liquids (soups, broth, semisolid porridge etc.) to compensate with the ongoing fluid and electrolyte loss during this period.
Have simple home-made foods, high fibre diet, plenty of yoghurts daily for the time being.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take Care
Kind Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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