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| Meta Title | Diarrhea From Antibiotics: How to Treat & Why It Happens - Tua Saúde | |||||||||
| Meta Description | Diarrhea from antibiotics results from intestinal flora disruption that can favor C. difficile. Relief strategies involve taking probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii, choosing low-fiber foods, and avoiding caffeine. Medical care is necessary if symptoms include high fever, blood in stool, or... | |||||||||
| Meta Canonical | null | |||||||||
| Boilerpipe Text | The most effective strategy to fight diarrhea caused by antibiotics is taking probiotics. These supplements are easily found at pharmacies and contain "good" bacteria that help regulate your intestinal function.
However, it is also important to adjust your diet during treatment. You should avoid raw foods, heavy meals that are difficult to digest, and strong spices.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a common side effect resulting from an imbalance in your gut flora. Medications like azithromycin, amoxicillin, or cephalexin can disrupt this balance and cause your stool to become more liquid.
Other tips that can help reduce this antibiotic side effect include:
Take
probiotics
, such as those containing
Saccharomyces boulardii
or
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
, to balance your intestinal flora.
Drink homemade electrolyte solutions, coconut water, and sugar-free fruit juices.
Eat easy-to-digest soups and broths.
Avoid fiber-rich foods, such as fruit skins, wheat bran, oatmeal, and dairy products.
Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods that are prepared with wheat flour.
Eat yogurt with probiotics or kefir because they help replenish beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as they can worsen diarrhea.
If a sensitive stomach accompanies the diarrhea, it is advisable to follow a light, easy-to-digest diet. Options like chicken soup or mashed potatoes with a boiled egg can help prevent bloating and indigestion.
Also recommended:
What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea: Top Foods & Meal Plan
tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea
Why do antibiotics cause diarrhea?
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea happens because the medication can eliminate many good bacteria in the intestine, causing an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota (flora).
Furthermore, this imbalance can favor the growth of a harmful bacterium called
Clostridioides difficile
(
C. difficile
). This can cause a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis.
When does antibiotic-associated diarrhea start?
Typically, diarrhea starts on the second day of antibiotic use and stops once you discontinue the medication.
However, it may take about 3 days after stopping the antibiotic for your digestion to fully recover.
Warning signs to see a doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor in the following situations:
Diarrhea is very severe and frequent, making work or school impossible.
Fever above 101°F (38.3°C).
Stool contains blood or mucus.
Signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, and parched lips.
Inability to keep liquids down and frequent vomiting.
Intense abdominal pain.
In these situations, you should go to the doctor or the emergency room. Be sure to describe your symptoms, when they started, and the medications you are taking or have taken recently, as these symptoms can appear even after stopping the antibiotic.
Was this information helpful?
Update History
We regularly update our content with the latest scientific information to maintain an exceptional level of quality.
10 December, 2025
(Current version)
Clinical review by
- Registered Dietitian
Created on
December, 2025
References
GOODMAN, C.; et al. Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BMJ Open
. 2021;11(8):e043054.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Harvard Health Publishing
. 2023. Accessed 10 Sep 2024 https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea-a-to-z
RAMIREZ, J.; et al. Antibiotics as Major Disruptors of Gut Microbiota.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol
. 2020;10():572912.
ABAD, C. L. R.; SAFDAR, N. A Review of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea.
Gastroenterol Clin North Am
. 2021;50(2):323-340. | |||||||||
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Share
# Diarrhea From Antibiotics: How to Treat & Why It Happens
Updated in December 2025
Clinical review: [Andreina De Almeida](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/andreina-almeida/) **Registered Dietitian MPPS \#3781**
Created by: [Tua Saude editing team](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/editorial-team/)
The most effective strategy to fight diarrhea caused by antibiotics is taking probiotics. These supplements are easily found at pharmacies and contain "good" bacteria that help regulate your intestinal function.
However, it is also important to adjust your diet during treatment. You should avoid raw foods, heavy meals that are difficult to digest, and strong spices.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a common side effect resulting from an imbalance in your gut flora. Medications like azithromycin, amoxicillin, or cephalexin can disrupt this balance and cause your stool to become more liquid.
## How to treat
Other tips that can help reduce this antibiotic side effect include:
- Take [probiotics](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/benefits-of-probiotics/), such as those containing *Saccharomyces boulardii* or *Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG*, to balance your intestinal flora.
- Drink homemade electrolyte solutions, coconut water, and sugar-free fruit juices.
- Eat easy-to-digest soups and broths.
- Avoid fiber-rich foods, such as fruit skins, wheat bran, oatmeal, and dairy products.
- Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods that are prepared with wheat flour.
- Eat yogurt with probiotics or kefir because they help replenish beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as they can worsen diarrhea.
If a sensitive stomach accompanies the diarrhea, it is advisable to follow a light, easy-to-digest diet. Options like chicken soup or mashed potatoes with a boiled egg can help prevent bloating and indigestion.
[Also recommended: **What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea: Top Foods & Meal Plan** tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea/)
## Why do antibiotics cause diarrhea?
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea happens because the medication can eliminate many good bacteria in the intestine, causing an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota (flora).
Furthermore, this imbalance can favor the growth of a harmful bacterium called *Clostridioides difficile* (*C. difficile*). This can cause a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis.
## When does antibiotic-associated diarrhea start?
Typically, diarrhea starts on the second day of antibiotic use and stops once you discontinue the medication.
However, it may take about 3 days after stopping the antibiotic for your digestion to fully recover.
## Warning signs to see a doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor in the following situations:
- Diarrhea is very severe and frequent, making work or school impossible.
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C).
- Stool contains blood or mucus.
- Signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, and parched lips.
- Inability to keep liquids down and frequent vomiting.
- Intense abdominal pain.
In these situations, you should go to the doctor or the emergency room. Be sure to describe your symptoms, when they started, and the medications you are taking or have taken recently, as these symptoms can appear even after stopping the antibiotic.
Share
Update History
We regularly update our content with the latest scientific information to maintain an exceptional level of quality.
- 10 December, 2025 (Current version)
Clinical review by [Andreina De Almeida](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/andreina-almeida/) - Registered Dietitian
Updated by [Daisy Oliveira](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/daisy-oliveira/) - Registered Nurse
- Created on December, 2025
## References
- GOODMAN, C.; et al. Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *BMJ Open*. 2021;11(8):e043054.
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. *Harvard Health Publishing*. 2023. Accessed 10 Sep 2024 https://www.health.harvard.edu/a\_to\_z/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea-a-to-z
- RAMIREZ, J.; et al. Antibiotics as Major Disruptors of Gut Microbiota. *Front Cell Infect Microbiol*. 2020;10():572912.
- ABAD, C. L. R.; SAFDAR, N. A Review of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. *Gastroenterol Clin North Am*. 2021;50(2):323-340.
publicidade
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[ Diarrhea What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea: Top Foods & Meal Plan](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea/)
[ Diarrhea Green Diarrhea: 8 Possible Causes (& How It's Treated)](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/green-diarrhea/)
[ Abdominal Pain Right Side Abdominal Pain: 15 Causes, Symptoms & Treatment](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/right-side-abdominal-pain/)
[ Diseases and Conditions Canker Sores in the Throat: 10 Causes (& How to Treat)](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/throat-canker-sores/)
[ Men's Health Red Spots on Penis: 16 Causes, Symptoms & How to Treat](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/red-spots-on-penis/)
[ Symptoms Mucus In Stool: 11 Causes (& What It Means)](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/mucus-in-stools/)
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| Readable Markdown | The most effective strategy to fight diarrhea caused by antibiotics is taking probiotics. These supplements are easily found at pharmacies and contain "good" bacteria that help regulate your intestinal function.
However, it is also important to adjust your diet during treatment. You should avoid raw foods, heavy meals that are difficult to digest, and strong spices.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a common side effect resulting from an imbalance in your gut flora. Medications like azithromycin, amoxicillin, or cephalexin can disrupt this balance and cause your stool to become more liquid.
Other tips that can help reduce this antibiotic side effect include:
- Take [probiotics](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/benefits-of-probiotics/), such as those containing *Saccharomyces boulardii* or *Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG*, to balance your intestinal flora.
- Drink homemade electrolyte solutions, coconut water, and sugar-free fruit juices.
- Eat easy-to-digest soups and broths.
- Avoid fiber-rich foods, such as fruit skins, wheat bran, oatmeal, and dairy products.
- Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods that are prepared with wheat flour.
- Eat yogurt with probiotics or kefir because they help replenish beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as they can worsen diarrhea.
If a sensitive stomach accompanies the diarrhea, it is advisable to follow a light, easy-to-digest diet. Options like chicken soup or mashed potatoes with a boiled egg can help prevent bloating and indigestion.
[Also recommended: **What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea: Top Foods & Meal Plan** tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea](https://www.tuasaude.com/en/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea/)
## Why do antibiotics cause diarrhea?
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea happens because the medication can eliminate many good bacteria in the intestine, causing an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota (flora).
Furthermore, this imbalance can favor the growth of a harmful bacterium called *Clostridioides difficile* (*C. difficile*). This can cause a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis.
## When does antibiotic-associated diarrhea start?
Typically, diarrhea starts on the second day of antibiotic use and stops once you discontinue the medication.
However, it may take about 3 days after stopping the antibiotic for your digestion to fully recover.
## Warning signs to see a doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor in the following situations:
- Diarrhea is very severe and frequent, making work or school impossible.
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C).
- Stool contains blood or mucus.
- Signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, and parched lips.
- Inability to keep liquids down and frequent vomiting.
- Intense abdominal pain.
In these situations, you should go to the doctor or the emergency room. Be sure to describe your symptoms, when they started, and the medications you are taking or have taken recently, as these symptoms can appear even after stopping the antibiotic.
Update History
We regularly update our content with the latest scientific information to maintain an exceptional level of quality.
- 10 December, 2025 (Current version)
Clinical review by - Registered Dietitian
- Created on December, 2025
## References
- GOODMAN, C.; et al. Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *BMJ Open*. 2021;11(8):e043054.
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. *Harvard Health Publishing*. 2023. Accessed 10 Sep 2024 https://www.health.harvard.edu/a\_to\_z/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea-a-to-z
- RAMIREZ, J.; et al. Antibiotics as Major Disruptors of Gut Microbiota. *Front Cell Infect Microbiol*. 2020;10():572912.
- ABAD, C. L. R.; SAFDAR, N. A Review of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. *Gastroenterol Clin North Am*. 2021;50(2):323-340. | |||||||||
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| Publish Time | 2025-12-10 15:53:17 (4 months ago) | |||||||||
| Original Publish Time | 2025-12-10 15:53:17 (4 months ago) | |||||||||
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| TTFB (ms) | 45 | |||||||||
| Download Size (bytes) | 43,116 | |||||||||
| Shard | 164 (laksa) | |||||||||
| Root Hash | 15222387487170882964 | |||||||||
| Unparsed URL | com,tuasaude!www,/en/diarrhea-from-antibiotics/ s443 | |||||||||