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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea And Vomiting After Discontinuing Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
Question: Hi, my 2 year old just stopped taking AMOX-CLAV 1.5 ML my mouth 2 times a day for 7 days for an ear infection. He stopped on Saturday night, vomited a little Sunday night and now has diarrhea. Is this normal or is it serious? How long should it last? How can I treat it or is this something new?
Brief Answer:
Most likely antibiotic associated diarrhea.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry your son is having diarrhea. Most likely this is antibiotic associated diarrhea which tends to come on around a week after starting an antibiotic (sometimes sooner). Broad spectrum antibiotics such as Amoxicillin-Clavulanate are more likely to cause diarrhea because of their disturbing the normal intestinal balance of bacteria. They tend to kill many types of bacteria, and these include the good bacteria in the gut.
However, if your son is having a lot of foul smelling mucusy diarrhea with bad cramps (or even with a fever), then it is time to take him in for evaluation as this could be an infection with c.dificile, which can happen after antibiotics. This is evaluated with a stool sample. Or if he is having so much watery diarrhea that he is at risk of dehydration, take him in for that too.
Otherwise, it is a self limiting problem and should start to get better in a few days. There is increasing evidence that probiotics can help prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea, and may help it resolve. Which strains of probiotics are best is not that well established (although if it is c.dif, then there is a specific strain that may be best). Consider a probiotic that is refrigerated and has a high count of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus. Keep him well hydrated with lots of water, and foods that slow intestinal motility and diarrhea such as apple sauce and well cooked rice.
I hope this information helps and that your son is better soon. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Most likely antibiotic associated diarrhea.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry your son is having diarrhea. Most likely this is antibiotic associated diarrhea which tends to come on around a week after starting an antibiotic (sometimes sooner). Broad spectrum antibiotics such as Amoxicillin-Clavulanate are more likely to cause diarrhea because of their disturbing the normal intestinal balance of bacteria. They tend to kill many types of bacteria, and these include the good bacteria in the gut.
However, if your son is having a lot of foul smelling mucusy diarrhea with bad cramps (or even with a fever), then it is time to take him in for evaluation as this could be an infection with c.dificile, which can happen after antibiotics. This is evaluated with a stool sample. Or if he is having so much watery diarrhea that he is at risk of dehydration, take him in for that too.
Otherwise, it is a self limiting problem and should start to get better in a few days. There is increasing evidence that probiotics can help prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea, and may help it resolve. Which strains of probiotics are best is not that well established (although if it is c.dif, then there is a specific strain that may be best). Consider a probiotic that is refrigerated and has a high count of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus. Keep him well hydrated with lots of water, and foods that slow intestinal motility and diarrhea such as apple sauce and well cooked rice.
I hope this information helps and that your son is better soon. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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