Does Bactrim Cause Diarrhea?

Bactrim is a prescription drug used to treat urinary tract infections, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and intestinal infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It works by interfering with the production of nucleic acids, which can cause diarrhea. Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea, while rare ones include vomiting and other unreported conditions like glossitis, stomatitis, pseudomembranous enterocolitis, and pancreatitis.

To prevent diarrhea while taking antibiotics, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, such as electrolyte drinks, broth, or ginger tea. If your stools are loose after starting Bactrim, consult your doctor immediately if you experience stomach cramps, bloating, watery and severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness, or loss of appetite.

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim may not be appropriate for some infections, depending on the type of bacteria or parasites causing the infection. Long-term use of Bactrim or Bactrim DS may lead to side effects such as blood disorders or C. diff-associated diarrhea. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and skin changes. Rare side effects include severe skin reactions, electrolyte and blood glucose changes, and low platelet levels.

Serious side effects of Bactrim and Bactrim DS include severe stomach pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, blood in your stool (poop), severe stomach pain, and severe diarrhea. Like other antibiotic medicines, Bactrim can cause diarrhea by eliminating good bacteria from the gut, but rarely, this diarrhea occurs. Specifically, Bactrim and Bactrim DS are used for traveler’s diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli).

In summary, Bactrim is a prescription drug used to treat various infections, including urinary tract infections, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and intestinal infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It is important to consult a doctor or pharmacist if any side effects persist or worsen.

What is the most common side effect of Bactrim?

Bactrim and Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) are brand-name drugs prescribed to treat or prevent certain infections. As with other drugs, Bactrim and Bactrim DS can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Bactrim and Bactrim DS can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Bactrim and Bactrim DS in clinical trials :

How common is diarrhea with Bactrim?

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) is a prescription-only antibiotic. Nausea, diarrhea, and skin changes are some of its most common side effects. Bactrim can rarely cause severe skin reactions, electrolyte and blood glucose changes, and low platelets.

What does Bactrim do to your stomach?

Gut-related issues such as nausea and vomiting are common Bactrim side effects. Generally, they are uncomfortable but mild enough to be managed at home. Taking each dose of Bactrim with a meal or snack is a good starting point.

What foods should you avoid while taking Bactrim?

Bactrim can cause side effects like upset stomach and diarrhea. Avoid spicy, acidic, and greasy foods while taking Bactrim as they may increase your risk of these side effects. Bactrim can interact with alcohol. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Bactrim.

How do you stop diarrhea from Bactrim?

Self careDrink enough fluids. To counter a mild loss of fluids from diarrhea, drink more water or drinks that contain electrolytes. … Avoid certain foods. It’s a good idea to avoid dairy as well as fatty and spicy foods while you have diarrhea. … Ask about anti-diarrheal medications.

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 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.

Is Bactrim bad for your gut?

Bactrim is an antibiotic medication that can be taken with or without food, and should be taken as directed by your doctor. It is not suitable for treating viral infections or certain bacterial infections caused by streptococcal bacteria. If a skin rash develops, discontinue and seek urgent medical advice. The full course should be completed to reduce the risk of resistant bacteria. Bactrim should not be used in pregnant or lactating women or babies under two months old. If an unexplained cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, muscle or joint pain, paleness or yellowing of the skin, or diarrhea develops, seek urgent medical advice. Bactrim can change the natural balance of bacteria in the gut and may cause severe and persistent diarrhea, associated with Clostridium difficile. It is important to keep well hydrated to avoid the development of crystals in the urine or kidney stones.

The antibacterial effects of Bactrim persist for at least 12 hours. Interactions between Bactrim and other medications may decrease its effect, affect its duration, increase side effects, or have less effect. It is essential to consult your doctor about managing drug interactions.

Can Bactrim cause bowel problems?

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have stomach cramps, bloating, watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody, nausea or vomiting, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a serious intestinal infection.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you use the medicine.

Is it OK to take Bactrim for 5 days?

Most people prescribed Bactrim DS take one tablet twice daily for 5 to 14 days. However, Bactrim DS dosages vary in adults and children depending on what it’s being used to treat, symptom severity, and body weight. Your dosage may also be lowered if you have severe kidney problems.

Is Bactrim a very strong antibiotic?

Bactrim is a potent combination antibiotic that is absorbed quickly after ingestion and starts acting within 1 to 4 hours after administration. The bactericidal action will remain for 12 hours. Patients with urinary tract infections or UTI have reported a steady recovery within 3-days.

Should you drink a lot of water with Bactrim?

Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces / 240 milliliters) as directed by your doctor,. If stomach upset occurs, take with food or milk. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to lower the unlikely risk of kidney stones forming, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.

What is sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim used for?. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria or parasites.

• Urinary tract infections
• Middle ear infections
• Worsening bronchitis
• Shigellosis, which is an infection that affects your digestive system
• Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, which is a type of lung infection that more commonly occurs in people with weakened immune systems
• Traveler’s diarrhea
• Toxoplasmosis

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which bacteria or parasites are causing the infection. Bacteria or parasites in some locations may have developed resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, which will make it less effective.

Should I stop antibiotics if I get diarrhea?

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.

For most people, antibiotic-associated diarrhea causes mild signs and symptoms, such as:

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.