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What Causes Black Stool Despite Taking Imodium?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Oct 2016
Question: I went to the emergency room with black tarry stools I had diarrhea for 6 days. I took Imodium and keopectate which didn't help .then my stools turned black. The ER had stool test done no blood present but Lactoferrinwas very high. Why the dark tarry stools if no blood?
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Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lactoferrin can cause black tarry stool and indicates bacterial infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thank for your query, albeit short and specific.
Noted your history of diarrhea of 6 day - took Imodium and Keopectate - black tarry stools - ER - stool tests showed no blood but very high lactoferrin.

High lactoferrin indicates invasive bacterial infection and can cause black tarry stools.
I would advise you to get a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection and not to take Imodium and Keopectate unless the loose stools are bothersome.
Also watch out for fluid and electrolyte imbalance and get corrected as needed.

I hope, this answers your query and helps you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (2 minutes later)
Thank you very much
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are most welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Black Stool Despite Taking Imodium?

Brief Answer: Lactoferrin can cause black tarry stool and indicates bacterial infection Detailed Answer: Hi. Thank for your query, albeit short and specific. Noted your history of diarrhea of 6 day - took Imodium and Keopectate - black tarry stools - ER - stool tests showed no blood but very high lactoferrin. High lactoferrin indicates invasive bacterial infection and can cause black tarry stools. I would advise you to get a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection and not to take Imodium and Keopectate unless the loose stools are bothersome. Also watch out for fluid and electrolyte imbalance and get corrected as needed. I hope, this answers your query and helps you further.