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What Causes Diarrhea While On Antibiotics For Bacterial Meningitis?
Question: My husband was hospitalized with Bacterial meningitis. Ever since his release after many antibiotics he has had diarrhea. At the present he is on the following Allipurinol, valsartin, amaryl, indomethicin, plavix, topril. I think this is an accurate list.
Brief Answer:
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
diarrhea after taking antibiotics is fairly common. In some cases it gets better after stopping the antibiotics. If it doesn't (within 24-48 hours) then investigation is required particularly if the diarrhea is bloody and/or the patient has high fever and abdominal pain. In such cases stool culture and assay for Clostridium difficile toxins is required.
If the toxin is present then treatment with either metronidazole (for mild to moderate cases) or vancomycin is indicated. I did not consider drug side effects in my answer because I assumed he was taking these drugs before hospitalization.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
diarrhea after taking antibiotics is fairly common. In some cases it gets better after stopping the antibiotics. If it doesn't (within 24-48 hours) then investigation is required particularly if the diarrhea is bloody and/or the patient has high fever and abdominal pain. In such cases stool culture and assay for Clostridium difficile toxins is required.
If the toxin is present then treatment with either metronidazole (for mild to moderate cases) or vancomycin is indicated. I did not consider drug side effects in my answer because I assumed he was taking these drugs before hospitalization.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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