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Suggest Treatment For Loose Motions After Taking Extra Doses Of Antibiotics
Question: I have been prescribed a 7 day course of antibiotic Flucloxacillin for a post operative wound infection in my foot. On commencing taking the drug on 24 XXXXXXX 2017 I mistakenly took double the dose (2 instead of 1 capsule) over the first 4 doses (hence ingesting 8 capsules over 21 hours instead of the prescribed 4).
Today (day 6) I have noticed blood in the toilet bowl after passing a watery bowel movement.
I understand from the information leaflet provided with the antibiotic that this is a severe side effect and that I should stop taking the antibiotic immediately?
Please can you advise what I should do?
Today (day 6) I have noticed blood in the toilet bowl after passing a watery bowel movement.
I understand from the information leaflet provided with the antibiotic that this is a severe side effect and that I should stop taking the antibiotic immediately?
Please can you advise what I should do?
Brief Answer:
it depends...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you haven't mentioned the mg of each capsule (250 or 500 usually). In any case although you did not need such a high dosage, it's OK because flucloxacillin can be given in even higher dosages (up to 8000mg per day divided).
Having a watery bowel movement is something that may raise concerns particularly if the blood was mixed with the stool and not on top of it. Blood on top of the stool and on toilet paper usually means hemorrhoids. Blood mixed with the stool means blood loss from the intestines. The antibiotics may cause antibiotic related diarrhea. This kind of adverse reaction can be from mild to serious. Mild diarrhea may stop immediately after discontinuing the drug. In serious cases you may have many diarrheas and even bleeding (which denotes serious colitis) with fever. In such a case immediate action is recommended; a visit to your doctor or to the ER for investigation (for Clostridium difficile toxin mostly) and appropriate treatment.
If you'd like you can add more details. They will help me to understand your situation better.
Kind Regards!
it depends...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you haven't mentioned the mg of each capsule (250 or 500 usually). In any case although you did not need such a high dosage, it's OK because flucloxacillin can be given in even higher dosages (up to 8000mg per day divided).
Having a watery bowel movement is something that may raise concerns particularly if the blood was mixed with the stool and not on top of it. Blood on top of the stool and on toilet paper usually means hemorrhoids. Blood mixed with the stool means blood loss from the intestines. The antibiotics may cause antibiotic related diarrhea. This kind of adverse reaction can be from mild to serious. Mild diarrhea may stop immediately after discontinuing the drug. In serious cases you may have many diarrheas and even bleeding (which denotes serious colitis) with fever. In such a case immediate action is recommended; a visit to your doctor or to the ER for investigation (for Clostridium difficile toxin mostly) and appropriate treatment.
If you'd like you can add more details. They will help me to understand your situation better.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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