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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Diarrhea After Taking Amitriptyline?

I m 65 years old, I take multiple medications for back pain(methadone), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, & amitripylene for nerve problems in my back. Since being on this medicine I have had a fairly stable cycle of diarrhea about every 6-8 weeks(doctors all felt it was due to the medication). About 6 weeks ago my pain doctor put me on gabapentin for nerve problems in my back, within a week a began to have regular diarrhea instead of a normal stool. After 2 weeks of this I stopped taking the gabapentin and expected it to stop. It did not. I saw my pain doctor last week and she changed the gabapentin to amatripylene, the diarrhea has not stopped and I am not having some fairly severe gas pains and excessive flatulence. I have an appt. with a GI specialist in April but I m trying to get a handle on this because it is being disruptive as far as my full time job is concerned. Any thoughts I possible causes?
Wed, 5 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Your symptoms seem to be related to side effects of Gabapentin.

I suggest using over the counter option like Imodium.

I also recommend using fiber supplements.

I recommend drinking liquids and using a plain diet.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi,
General & Family Physician

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What Causes Severe Diarrhea After Taking Amitriptyline?

Hello, Your symptoms seem to be related to side effects of Gabapentin. I suggest using over the counter option like Imodium. I also recommend using fiber supplements. I recommend drinking liquids and using a plain diet. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi, General & Family Physician