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What Causes Diarrhea After Taking Amoxicillin Clavulanate?
Question: I took antibiotics ( IC Amox-clav 125 mg 2x day for 10 days) 3 weeks ago and have had diarrea ever since. THere is also mucous in my stool. I do OK if I go on the BRATY diet for a couple of days but back to diarrea when I eat normally. Suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Possible Candida overgrowth/c.difficile to confirm by stool culture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
The use of broad spectrum antibiotics like IC Amox-clav is associated with alternation in the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. As you have been having diarrhea since then, I advise to run culture of stool to determine the cause of diarrhea:
- candida overgrowth: if confirmed, anti-mycotics to start
- C.difficile : antibiotics covering gram negative spectrum recommended if confirmed (e.g. metronidazole or ornidazole).
Until you get the stool culture done, I advise to take probiotics to stabilize intestinal flora together with pepto-bismol. Continue with BRAT diet; avoid high carbohydrate foods/drinks until fully recovered.
Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana
Possible Candida overgrowth/c.difficile to confirm by stool culture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
The use of broad spectrum antibiotics like IC Amox-clav is associated with alternation in the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. As you have been having diarrhea since then, I advise to run culture of stool to determine the cause of diarrhea:
- candida overgrowth: if confirmed, anti-mycotics to start
- C.difficile : antibiotics covering gram negative spectrum recommended if confirmed (e.g. metronidazole or ornidazole).
Until you get the stool culture done, I advise to take probiotics to stabilize intestinal flora together with pepto-bismol. Continue with BRAT diet; avoid high carbohydrate foods/drinks until fully recovered.
Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Is that the same candida that would cause a vaginal yeast infection? I've gotten those before after taking antibiotics--but never this diarrhea. I don't have the vaginal yeast symptoms currently, but was given a prescription for Fluconazole in case this antibiotic caused a yeast infection. I din't take it because I didn't have those symptoms. I wonder if it might work with the current symtoms (diarrhrea).
Brief Answer:
Yes,it's the same as vaginal yeast...fluconazole works but ...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Yes, it's the same causing vaginal yeast also.
Fluconazole works great. But should confirm it's from candida first before using it.
If confirmed, should take fluconazole for 7 days, then, once per week for 4 weeks.
Other meds can be used including nystatin or itraconazole as per sensitivity testing.
Wish fast recovery.
Dr.Albana
Yes,it's the same as vaginal yeast...fluconazole works but ...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Yes, it's the same causing vaginal yeast also.
Fluconazole works great. But should confirm it's from candida first before using it.
If confirmed, should take fluconazole for 7 days, then, once per week for 4 weeks.
Other meds can be used including nystatin or itraconazole as per sensitivity testing.
Wish fast recovery.
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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