Can Antibiotics cause digestion problems?
A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with severe sinus infection. I was first given a "Z-Pack", and then my symptoms came back after about a week.
I was then given Levaquin. My Doctor told me this was very potent. I was given Levaquin in 500mg pills that I took for 10 days.
Ever since I've taken this, I feel like I absolutely cannot digest anything well at all. I get subtle feelings of cramps, bloating, and gurgles. Can this be caused by the antibiotics that I've been taking?
FYI: Today was my first day off the medication, I am finished with it. I bought some dietary fiber, will this help with my digestion at all?
I'd appreciate any advice.
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Make sure that you're taking your antibiotics with a meal and not on any empty stomach.
One of the most common side effects of antibiotics is indigestion. Usually taking the pills with plenty of food is enough to make these symptoms subside, but if you still experience these side effects despite eating a big meal prior to taking the medications, call your doctor and tell her what your experiencing and see if they can suggest any alternatives that will be gentler on your stomach.
I would skip the fiber and find a good probiotic. VSL#3 is a great one, or you could try Align. Antibiotics kill all bacteria, including beneficial ones. This can upset the bacterial balance within many parts of your digestive system, including the small intestine, which will cause many of the symptoms you describe. This is not an easy condition to correct. If the problem persists, even after you take a probiotic, you will likely need testing for something called "Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth."
I'm a nurse, and yes unfortunately a side effect of antibiotics can be GI upset and/or diarrhea. The fiber is good, BUT only take it as directed. To much fiber can actually constipate you. So be careful. Good luck! It should pass in a few days either way. Hope you get to feeling better soon! And always remember not to take antibiotics on an empty stomach unless directed. It'll help reduce these problems
I f that's the only bad thing Levaquin left you with, consider yourself lucky! Yes any antibiotic can leave you feeling like that. It should subside within a few days. I took Levaquin and had terrible adverse effects from it. Do your feet, and or calves, hands, hurt? Did it give you insomnia? If you look it up, you will find all kinds for sites about people who have had serious problems from Levaquin. I will never take that drug again.
In the digestive system particularly the intestines, beneficial bacteria are present to help digest and to prevent infections. If antibiotics(depending what kind and potency), are taken for a long time, or depending on the person's body tolerance it can eliminate the bacteria and clean the system clean. Even the liver can be affected depending on the patient, the kind of medication and potency.If it affects you in a negative way tell your doctor about it.
I have taken the zpack before. Didn't bother me but drugs effect everyone differently. I have to memorize drugs for my microbio class I am in. Azythromyicin (zpack) is known to commonly cause, naseau, diareah, and vmoiting. Every drug has a large list of side effects, which you could be experiencing. I don't have anyhting written about Fluoroquinolones which is the category levaquin comes from. Your 3rd gen Fluoroquinolones effect gram +, Gram -, and Atypical Bacteria. Basically it effects a lot of different bacterias so maybe it could be killing some friendly bacteria, but that should go away shortly after taking the drug. If its reasonable amounts fiber can't hurt. Id would expect your body to regulate itself in the next few days.
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The last time I was prescribed an antibotic, the doctor told me to take it with a little bit of plain yogurt, because it might upset my stomach. Since you're done taking it, not sure that this will help you, but I thought you might want to know anyways. : )