🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 194 (from laksa090)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa194.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea","crawl_time":1776591222,"first_indexed_time":1712813501,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,uofmhealthsparrow!www,\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea s443","src_root_hash":"15754692202894961194","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Antibiotic-associated diarrhea | UM Health-Sparrow","meta_descriptions":["OverviewAntibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics)."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Overview\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics).\nAbout 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics.\nSymptoms\nFor most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as:\nLoose stools\nMore-frequent bowel movements\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment.\nClostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection\nC. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause:\nSevere diarrhea and dehydration\nLower abdominal pain and cramping\nLow-grade fever\nNausea\nLoss of appetite\nWhen to see a doctor\nCall your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause.\nCauses\nWhy antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.\nThe antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea\nNearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include:\nMacrolides, such as clarithromycin\nCephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime\nFluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin\nPenicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin\nC. difficile infection\nWhen antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk.\nRisk factors\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you:\nHave had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past\nHave taken antibiotic medications for an extended time\nAre taking more than one antibiotic medication\nComplications\nOne of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness.\nPrevention\nTo help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to:\nTake antibiotics only when necessary.\nDon't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu.\nAsk caregivers to wash their hands.\nIf you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you.\nTell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before.\nHaving antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you.\nDiagnosis\nTo diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium.\nTreatment\nTreatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.\nTreatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea\nIf you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides.\nTreatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection\nIf you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment.\nSelf care\nTo cope with diarrhea:\nDrink enough fluids.\nTo counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms.\nFor infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes.\nAvoid certain foods.\nIt's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve.\nAsk about anti-diarrheal medications.\nIn some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection.\nPeople may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system.\nPreparing for your appointment\nMake an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.\nWhat you can do\nMake a list of:\nYour symptoms,\nincluding any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.\nKey personal information,\nincluding any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home.\nMedications, vitamins or supplements\nyou're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it.\nQuestions to ask\nyour doctor.\nFor antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:\nWhat tests do I need?\nIs my condition likely temporary or chronic?\nWhat is the best course of action?\nWhat are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?\nAre there restrictions I should follow?\nAre there foods and drinks I should avoid?\nDon't hesitate to ask other questions.\nWhat to expect from your doctor\nYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:\nWhen did your symptoms begin?\nCan you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they?\nDo you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease?\nHave you been around anyone with diarrhea recently?\nWhat you can do in the meantime\nContinue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor.\nTo cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can:\nDrink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea\nEat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#main-content)\n\n## Utility\n- [Donate](https:\/\/secure.qgiv.com\/for\/spaheasys\/)\n- [Pay My Bill](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/patient-resources\/financial-resources\/pay-my-bill)\n- [Estimate Cost](https:\/\/mychart.sparrow.org\/MyChart\/GuestEstimates \"Price Estimator \")\n- [Careers](https:\/\/careers.sparrow.org\/)\n- [MySparrow Login](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/patient-resources\/mysparrow)\n\n- [Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions)\n- [Find a Doctor](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/find-a-doctor)\n- [Patient Resources](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/patient-resources)\n- [Locations](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services)\n- [Get Care Now](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/get-care-now)\n\n## Main\n- [Medical Services](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions)\n  - 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[Services](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/services)\n    - [Home Care](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/services\/home-care \"Home Care\")\n    - [Hospice Care](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/services\/hospice-care \"Hospice Care\")\n    - [Laboratories](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/all-departments\/laboratories \"Laboratories\")\n    - [Medical Supply](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/services\/medical-supply \"Medical Supply\")\n    - [Pet Therapy Program](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/all-departments\/childrens-center-pediatric-services\/pet-therapy-program \"Pet Therapy Program\")\n    - [Pharmacies](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/services\/pharmacies \"Pharmacies\")\n    - [Radiology](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/all-departments\/radiology \"Radiology\")\n    - [Rehabilitation](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/all-departments\/rehabilitation \"Rehabilitation\")\n  - [Primary Care Practices](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/all-departments\/primary-care-practices)\n  - [Specialty Care Practices](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/specialty-care-practices)\n  - [AL!VE](https:\/\/www.myalive.com\/)\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/eventcalendar)\n- [Get Care Now](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/our-hospitals-services\/get-care-now)\n\n## Utility\n- [Donate](https:\/\/secure.qgiv.com\/for\/spaheasys\/)\n- [Pay My Bill](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/patient-resources\/financial-resources\/pay-my-bill)\n- [Estimate Cost](https:\/\/mychart.sparrow.org\/MyChart\/GuestEstimates \"Price Estimator \")\n- [Careers](https:\/\/careers.sparrow.org\/)\n- [MySparrow Login](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/patient-resources\/mysparrow)\n\n## Breadcrumb\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/)\n- [Departments & Conditions](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions)\n- [Conditions](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions)\n- Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea\n# Antibiotic-associated diarrhea\n\n- [Overview](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#overview)\n- [Symptoms](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#symptoms)\n- [Causes](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#causes)\n- [Risk factors](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#risk-factors)\n- [Complications](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#complications)\n- [Prevention](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#prevention)\n- [Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#diagnosis)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#treatment)\n- [Self care](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#self-care)\n- [Preparing for your appointment](https:\/\/www.uofmhealthsparrow.org\/departments-conditions\/conditions\/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#preparing-for-your-appointment)\n\n## Overview\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics).\n\nAbout 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics.\n\n## Symptoms\nFor most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as:\n\n- Loose stools\n- More-frequent bowel movements\n\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment.\n\n### Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection\nC. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause:\n\n- Severe diarrhea and dehydration\n- Lower abdominal pain and cramping\n- Low-grade fever\n- Nausea\n- Loss of appetite\n### When to see a doctor\nCall your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause.\n\n## Causes\nWhy antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.\n\n### The antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea\nNearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include:\n\n- Macrolides, such as clarithromycin\n- Cephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime\n- Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin\n- Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin\n### C. difficile infection\nWhen antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk.\n\n## Risk factors\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you:\n\n- Have had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past\n- Have taken antibiotic medications for an extended time\n- Are taking more than one antibiotic medication\n\n## Complications\nOne of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness.\n\n## Prevention\nTo help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to:\n\n- **Take antibiotics only when necessary.** Don't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu.\n- **Ask caregivers to wash their hands.** If you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you.\n- **Tell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before.** Having antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you.\n\n## Diagnosis\nTo diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium.\n\n## Treatment\nTreatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.\n\n### Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea\nIf you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides.\n\n### Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection\nIf you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment.\n\n## Self care\nTo cope with diarrhea:\n\n- **Drink enough fluids.** To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms.\n  For infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes.\n- **Avoid certain foods.** It's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve.\n- **Ask about anti-diarrheal medications.** In some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection.\n\nPeople may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system.\n\n## Preparing for your appointment\nMake an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.\n\n### What you can do\nMake a list of:\n\n- **Your symptoms,** including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.\n- **Key personal information,** including any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home.\n- **Medications, vitamins or supplements** you're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it.\n- **Questions to ask** your doctor.\n\nFor antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:\n\n- What tests do I need?\n- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?\n- What is the best course of action?\n- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?\n- Are there restrictions I should follow?\n- Are there foods and drinks I should avoid?\n\nDon't hesitate to ask other questions.\n\n### What to expect from your doctor\nYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:\n\n- When did your symptoms begin?\n- Can you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they?\n- Do you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease?\n- Have you been around anyone with diarrhea recently?\n### What you can do in the meantime\nContinue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor.\n\nTo cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can:\n\n- Drink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea\n- Eat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea\n\n***\nContent From Mayo Clinic Updated: 08\/10\/2021    \n  © 1998-2026 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.  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We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.\n\n×","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Overview\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics).\n\nAbout 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics.\n\n## Symptoms\nFor most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as:\n\n- Loose stools\n- More-frequent bowel movements\n\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment.\n\n### Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection\nC. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause:\n\n- Severe diarrhea and dehydration\n- Lower abdominal pain and cramping\n- Low-grade fever\n- Nausea\n- Loss of appetite\n### When to see a doctor\nCall your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause.\n\n## Causes\nWhy antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.\n\n### The antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea\nNearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include:\n\n- Macrolides, such as clarithromycin\n- Cephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime\n- Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin\n- Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin\n### C. difficile infection\nWhen antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk.\n\n## Risk factors\nAntibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you:\n\n- Have had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past\n- Have taken antibiotic medications for an extended time\n- Are taking more than one antibiotic medication\n\n## Complications\nOne of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness.\n\n## Prevention\nTo help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to:\n\n- **Take antibiotics only when necessary.** Don't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu.\n- **Ask caregivers to wash their hands.** If you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you.\n- **Tell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before.** Having antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you.\n\n## Diagnosis\nTo diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium.\n\n## Treatment\nTreatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms.\n\n### Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea\nIf you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides.\n\n### Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection\nIf you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment.\n\n## Self care\nTo cope with diarrhea:\n\n- **Drink enough fluids.** To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms.\n  For infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes.\n- **Avoid certain foods.** It's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve.\n- **Ask about anti-diarrheal medications.** In some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection.\n\nPeople may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system.\n\n## Preparing for your appointment\nMake an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.\n\n### What you can do\nMake a list of:\n\n- **Your symptoms,** including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.\n- **Key personal information,** including any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home.\n- **Medications, vitamins or supplements** you're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it.\n- **Questions to ask** your doctor.\n\nFor antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:\n\n- What tests do I need?\n- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?\n- What is the best course of action?\n- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?\n- Are there restrictions I should follow?\n- Are there foods and drinks I should avoid?\n\nDon't hesitate to ask other questions.\n\n### What to expect from your doctor\nYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:\n\n- When did your symptoms begin?\n- Can you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they?\n- Do you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease?\n- Have you been around anyone with diarrhea recently?\n### What you can do in the meantime\nContinue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor.\n\nTo cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can:\n\n- Drink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea\n- Eat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Health\":998,\"\/Health\/Health_Conditions\":931,\"\/Health\/Health_Conditions\/Infectious_Diseases\":510,\"\/Health\/Health_Conditions\/Infectious_Diseases\/Other\":509}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":963,\"\/Article\/Definitions\":766}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":999}","meta_language":"en","attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":0,"attrs_original_publish_time":1712813501,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"1803","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"1269","body_ext_links_number":17,"body_int_links_number":80,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":0,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":433,"download_ttfb_msec":352,"download_size":42644}

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Overview Antibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics). About 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics. Symptoms For most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as: Loose stools More-frequent bowel movements Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment. Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection C. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause: Severe diarrhea and dehydration Lower abdominal pain and cramping Low-grade fever Nausea Loss of appetite When to see a doctor Call your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause. Causes Why antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. The antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea Nearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include: Macrolides, such as clarithromycin Cephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin C. difficile infection When antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk. Risk factors Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you: Have had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past Have taken antibiotic medications for an extended time Are taking more than one antibiotic medication Complications One of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness. Prevention To help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to: Take antibiotics only when necessary. Don't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu. Ask caregivers to wash their hands. If you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you. Tell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before. Having antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you. Diagnosis To diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium. Treatment Treatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms. Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea If you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides. Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection If you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment. Self care To cope with diarrhea: Drink enough fluids. To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms. For infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes. Avoid certain foods. It's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve. Ask about anti-diarrheal medications. In some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection. People may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system. Preparing for your appointment Make an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can do Make a list of: Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home. Medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it. Questions to ask your doctor. For antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What tests do I need? Is my condition likely temporary or chronic? What is the best course of action? What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting? Are there restrictions I should follow? Are there foods and drinks I should avoid? Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask: When did your symptoms begin? Can you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they? Do you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease? Have you been around anyone with diarrhea recently? What you can do in the meantime Continue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor. To cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can: Drink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea Eat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea

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[Prevention](https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#prevention) - [Diagnosis](https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#diagnosis) - [Treatment](https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#treatment) - [Self care](https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#self-care) - [Preparing for your appointment](https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea#preparing-for-your-appointment) ## Overview Antibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics). About 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics. ## Symptoms For most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as: - Loose stools - More-frequent bowel movements Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment. ### Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection C. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause: - Severe diarrhea and dehydration - Lower abdominal pain and cramping - Low-grade fever - Nausea - Loss of appetite ### When to see a doctor Call your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause. ## Causes Why antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. ### The antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea Nearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include: - Macrolides, such as clarithromycin - Cephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime - Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin - Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin ### C. difficile infection When antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk. ## Risk factors Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you: - Have had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past - Have taken antibiotic medications for an extended time - Are taking more than one antibiotic medication ## Complications One of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness. ## Prevention To help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to: - **Take antibiotics only when necessary.** Don't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu. - **Ask caregivers to wash their hands.** If you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you. - **Tell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before.** Having antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you. ## Diagnosis To diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium. ## Treatment Treatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms. ### Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea If you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides. ### Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection If you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment. ## Self care To cope with diarrhea: - **Drink enough fluids.** To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms. For infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes. - **Avoid certain foods.** It's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve. - **Ask about anti-diarrheal medications.** In some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection. People may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system. ## Preparing for your appointment Make an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. ### What you can do Make a list of: - **Your symptoms,** including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. - **Key personal information,** including any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home. - **Medications, vitamins or supplements** you're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it. - **Questions to ask** your doctor. For antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: - What tests do I need? - Is my condition likely temporary or chronic? - What is the best course of action? - What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting? - Are there restrictions I should follow? - Are there foods and drinks I should avoid? Don't hesitate to ask other questions. ### What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask: - When did your symptoms begin? - Can you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they? - Do you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease? - Have you been around anyone with diarrhea recently? ### What you can do in the meantime Continue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor. To cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can: - Drink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea - Eat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea *** Content From Mayo Clinic Updated: 08/10/2021 © 1998-2026 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. 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## Overview Antibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics). About 1 in 5 people who take antibiotics develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. The diarrhea typically clears up within a few days after you stop taking the antibiotic. More-serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea requires stopping or sometimes switching antibiotics. ## Symptoms For most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as: - Loose stools - More-frequent bowel movements Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is likely to begin about a week after you start taking an antibiotic. Sometimes, however, diarrhea and other symptoms don't appear until days or even weeks after you've finished antibiotic treatment. ### Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infection C. difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that can cause a more serious antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition to causing loose stools and more-frequent bowel movements, C. difficile infection can cause: - Severe diarrhea and dehydration - Lower abdominal pain and cramping - Low-grade fever - Nausea - Loss of appetite ### When to see a doctor Call your doctor right away if you have serious signs and symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These signs and symptoms are common to a number of conditions, so your doctor might recommend tests — such as stool or blood tests — to determine the cause. ## Causes Why antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs isn't completely understood. It's commonly thought to develop when antibacterial medications (antibiotics) upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. ### The antibiotics most likely to cause diarrhea Nearly all antibiotics can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics most commonly involved include: - Macrolides, such as clarithromycin - Cephalosporins, such as cefdinir and cefpodoxime - Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin - Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin ### C. difficile infection When antibiotics upset the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, the bacteria C. difficile can quickly grow out of control. C. difficile bacteria create toxins that attack the lining of the intestine. The antibiotics most commonly linked to C. difficile infection include clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins and penicillins — though taking virtually any antibiotic can put you at risk. ## Risk factors Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can occur in anyone who takes an antibiotic. But you're more likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you: - Have had antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the past - Have taken antibiotic medications for an extended time - Are taking more than one antibiotic medication ## Complications One of the most common complications of any type of diarrhea is extreme loss of fluids and electrolytes (dehydration). Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, and weakness. ## Prevention To help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, try to: - **Take antibiotics only when necessary.** Don't use antibiotics unless your doctor feels they're necessary. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, but they won't help viral infections, such as colds and flu. - **Ask caregivers to wash their hands.** If you're receiving care at home or the hospital, ask everyone to wash his or her hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you. - **Tell your doctor if you've had antibiotic-associated diarrhea or C. difficile before.** Having antibiotic-associated diarrhea once or C. difficile in the past increases the chance that antibiotics will cause that same reaction again. Your doctor may be able to select a different antibiotic for you. ## Diagnosis To diagnose antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor is likely to question you about your health history, including whether you've had recent antibiotic treatments. If your doctor suspects that you have C. difficile infection, a sample of your stool would be tested for the bacterium. ## Treatment Treatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms. ### Treatments to cope with mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea If you have mild diarrhea, your symptoms likely will clear up within a few days after your antibiotic treatment ends. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop your antibiotic therapy until your diarrhea subsides. ### Treatment to fight harmful bacteria causing C. difficile infection If you develop C. difficile infection, your doctor will likely stop whatever antibiotic you're currently taking, and might prescribe antibiotics specifically targeted to kill the C. difficile bacteria causing your diarrhea. You may also be asked to stop taking stomach-acid-suppressing drugs. For people with this type of infection, diarrhea symptoms may return and require repeated treatment. ## Self care To cope with diarrhea: - **Drink enough fluids.** To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. For a more severe loss, drink fluids that contain water, sugar and salt — such as oral rehydration solution. Try broth or fruit juice that isn't high in sugar. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar or contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas, which can worsen your symptoms. For infants and children with diarrhea, ask your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, to replenish fluids and electrolytes. - **Avoid certain foods.** It's a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. You can usually get back to a normal diet soon after your symptoms resolve. - **Ask about anti-diarrheal medications.** In some cases of mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). But check with your doctor before taking anti-diarrheal medications because they can interfere with your body's ability to eliminate toxins and lead to serious complications. These medications should not be used if you develop C. difficile infection. People may turn to probiotics — found in foods such as yogurt — with the hope that they can rebalance the healthy bacteria in their digestive tract. But, there's no consensus on whether or not over-the-counter probiotics can help lessen the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Taking probiotics doesn't appear to be harmful, however, unless you have a weakened immune system. ## Preparing for your appointment Make an appointment with the doctor who prescribed the antibiotic. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. ### What you can do Make a list of: - **Your symptoms,** including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. - **Key personal information,** including any major stresses or recent life changes, for example, if you've recently stayed in the hospital or a nursing home. - **Medications, vitamins or supplements** you're taking, including doses. If you've recently taken an antibiotic, include the name, dosage and when you stopped taking it. - **Questions to ask** your doctor. For antibiotic-associated diarrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: - What tests do I need? - Is my condition likely temporary or chronic? - What is the best course of action? - What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting? - Are there restrictions I should follow? - Are there foods and drinks I should avoid? Don't hesitate to ask other questions. ### What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask: - When did your symptoms begin? - Can you describe your bowel movements? How frequent are they? - Do you have a history of intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease? - Have you been around anyone with diarrhea recently? ### What you can do in the meantime Continue taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor. To cope with diarrhea until your appointment, you can: - Drink more water and other liquids to replace fluids lost because of diarrhea - Eat bland foods and avoid spicy or greasy foods that can aggravate diarrhea

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