What Causes Frequent Bowel Movements After Taking Prozac?

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2015

Question: I had an adverse reaction to a short course of Prozac 5 yrs ago (overexcited serotonin receptors, apparently), resulting in multiple BMs/day (10-15). Had CT, US, colonoscopy, labs all WNL. Was advised to d/c med abruptly, and BMs increased to 20 and more/day (no blood, black tarry, mucous, pain; color, consistency WNL). GI specialist had no tx suggestion. Tried functional med MD who said I had yeast overgrowth syndrome (not recognized in the mainstream medical community, I know). His tx helped some, but 5 years later I am still at 3 (baseline) to 8-10 BMs/day. Diet doesn't seem to make a difference. The biggest problem for me is that 80% or more of the BMs occur overnight, causing massive sleep disruption.
I am totally at a loss as to how to rectify this. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take tablet loperamide, probiotic, rifaximin and avoid milk

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). Since all the tests are normaal and I hope you don't have any alarming symptoms also as you haven't mentioned any, it appears that it is a functional diarrhoea. Lomotil helped helped you but sad to hear that you developed side effects from that. I will advise you to take tablet loperamide which is antisecretory agent and free from anticholinergic side effects, which I found very useful in my patients with functional diarrhoea. Also take some probiotics and tablet rifaximin. See whether milk or milk products worsen your BM then please avoid it.
I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Amit Jain (7 minutes later)

Thank you! I will try these and hope for the best

Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most welcome

Detailed Answer:
Most welcome. If you do not have any further query , you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Amit Jain (12 minutes later)

How often and what dise of loperamide and rifaximin, please? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Loperamide 2mg bd and rifaximin 400mg bd

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back. Dose of Tablet loperamide is 2mg to 16mg / day. It comes in tablet of 2mg. Usually one to two tablets/ day is sufficient. Tab rifaximin is gut antibiotic, so You will be requiring prescription from your doctor.

If you don’t have further query then rate the answer and close the discussion

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad