What Causes Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea After Taking Zap?

Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015

Question: Hi, I am 61 and have been on a zap for three days (which I have taken many times) for a throat infection. I have terrible stomach cramps, had diarrhea all day and now have bloody, mucousy stool and the cramps won't stop. Hours earlier I took Pepto Bismol, Levsin and my supplements this morning which included Circumin. Do I need to go to the ER? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
bacterial or amoebic dysentery

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
Sorry about your present condition.

1. Diarrhea with blood signifies possible bacterial or amoebic dysentery.
2. You will need to take medication like ofloxacin with tinodazole for it. Continue with levsin or you can take dicyclomine with mefenamic acid for spasmodic pain. These all medications are prescribed medications.
3. For confirmation, stool examination can be done. Antibiotics necessary. Also take plenty of water including fruit juices to avoid dehydration. Also take probiotics and yoghurt.
4. If pain becomes severe, going to ER will be necessary.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (14 minutes later)

Why would I possibly have bacterial or amoebic dysentery? This only occurred after three days on a ZPak. Seems a little far-fetched and over-the-top treatment as I believe it's a reaction to the antibiotic? Don't you agree?

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
antibiotics reaction- blood in stools, possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for replying.

Yes, its a bit over fetched.

Other possibilities other than dysentry with spasmodic pain and blood in stools at this age, can be mesentric ischemia or antibiotics induced pseudo membranous enterocolitis ( secondary to clostridium difficile infection - much more dangerous)
If pain persists, we need to think of this. Stool examination for cause of any infection maybe needed.
In the meantime, take probiotics and plenty of fluids to compensate for diarrhea. Get stool examination, blood in stools signifies some pathology. Stool examination essential

If no blood, only gas, then probiotics alone along with hydration will help.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju