Diarrhea Caused by Antibiotics: 2 Quick and Safe Remedies

Diarrhea from taking antibiotics is a common condition because the medication not only kills pathogenic bacteria but can also disrupt the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Approximately 5–30% of people taking antibiotics may experience antibiotic-associated diarrhea, with severity ranging from mild to severe depending on the medication and individual constitution. Therefore, if you are taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea, it's important not only to find ways to stop the diarrhea but also to help your gut recover safely.

This article by Tiptory helps you understand why antibiotics can cause diarrhea, what to eat, what to avoid, how to rehydrate, and when to consult a doctor. Specifically, experts will provide appropriate ways to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics, so you can reduce discomfort and help your digestive system return to balance.

How to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Prioritize easy-to-digest, non-irritating foods

• When experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, temporarily avoid foods that upset your stomach or increase bowel movements.

• Prioritize easy-to-digest, low-fat, and mildly seasoned foods such as rice, porridge, toast, eggs, or lean meat.

• Limit fried foods, spicy foods, high-fiber foods, and any foods you notice worsen your symptoms.

Replenish fluids and electrolytes adequately

• Taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss, especially with frequent bowel movements.

• Drink water regularly throughout the day, and use broth or oral rehydration solutions when necessary.

• Do not just focus on stopping diarrhea and neglect rehydration, as dehydration is one of the notable complications of diarrhea.

Temporarily limit dairy, alcohol, and caffeine

• During diarrhea, limit milk and dairy products if they cause bloating or more frequent bowel movements.

• Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages like coffee, strong tea, or some energy drinks, as they can make diarrhea symptoms harder to control.

• Once your digestive system stabilizes, you can gradually return to your normal diet.

Consult a doctor before taking medication or probiotics

• If you are looking to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics, do not self-discontinue antibiotics or use anti-diarrhea medication without medical advice.

• Your doctor can assess the severity of diarrhea and consider changing the antibiotic or another treatment if needed.

• Probiotics may be considered to help balance gut flora, but evidence for their effectiveness in antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not yet fully conclusive. Immunocompromised individuals should consult a doctor before use.

• Some anti-diarrhea medications may not be suitable if the diarrhea is associated with Clostridioides difficile infection, so professional advice is needed before use.

Know when to seek medical attention

• If diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days, becomes severe, or is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever, signs of dehydration, black or bloody stools, you should contact a doctor.

• These symptoms may indicate that the condition is no longer simply diarrhea from taking antibiotics and requires specific evaluation of the cause.

Method 1: What to eat for diarrhea? Recovery diet

Regimen 1: Take antibiotics correctly to reduce discomfort

Take medication according to food timing instructions

• When taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea or stomach upset, do not arbitrarily change the timing of medication intake just because you think taking it with food will be more comfortable.

• Some antibiotics need to be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption, while others can be taken with or after meals. Therefore, read the medication label, instruction leaflet carefully, or follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.

Take medication with food if the medication allows

• For antibiotics that can be taken with food, taking them during or immediately after a meal can help reduce some gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, discomfort, or abdominal pain.

• For example, amoxicillin can be taken before or after eating and can be taken with food to reduce stomach discomfort. Other antibiotics like co-amoxiclav are recommended to be taken with meals to reduce digestive side effects.

Do not apply one method of taking medication for all types of antibiotics

• It is not always better to take antibiotics after eating. For instance, tetracycline should be taken on an empty stomach and should not be taken with milk or dairy products because food can affect drug absorption.

• Some other medications also have specific food requirements. Therefore, if you are looking to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics, the first priority is to take the correct type of medication, correct dosage, and at the correct time, rather than adjusting the method of use yourself.

Double-check if unsure how to take medication

• If the medication label does not specify whether to take it before or after eating, ask your pharmacist or doctor. This is a simple way to avoid reducing treatment effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

• If diarrhea persists, worsens, or unusual symptoms appear while taking antibiotics, contact a healthcare facility for evaluation instead of self-stopping the medication or self-medicating for diarrhea.

Regimen 2: Avoid foods that may worsen diarrhea

Temporarily stop foods that have caused you discomfort before

• When diarrhea occurs due to antibiotic use, pay attention to your body's reactions. If a certain food typically causes you bloating, abdominal pain, or more frequent bowel movements, you should temporarily stop that food while experiencing symptoms.

• There's no need to fast or adopt an overly restrictive diet. When you can eat normally, you should still maintain foods that are compatible with your body's tolerance and gradually increase portions as diarrhea improves.

Prioritize simple, easy-to-digest foods

• While taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea, you can choose light foods such as rice, porridge, toast, bananas, eggs, or lean meat.

• Divide into several small meals if eating a large amount causes stomach discomfort. This helps you still get energy without putting extra strain on your digestive system.

Limit fatty and spicy foods

• Foods high in fat, fried foods, and spicy dishes are groups that can often worsen diarrhea or digestive discomfort.

• Therefore, if you are looking for ways to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics, you should temporarily limit foods such as greasy fried foods, fast food, and dishes with a lot of chili or spicy seasoning.

Monitor foods that increase symptoms

• Everyone has different food tolerance. If you notice a specific food makes you have more bowel movements, temporarily remove it and monitor your condition for a few days.

• If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, is frequent or severe, causes abdominal pain, fever, dehydration, or blood or black stool, contact a doctor. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can sometimes be related to Clostridioides difficile infection and requires specialized treatment.

Regimen 3: Proper rehydration during diarrhea

Drink enough water to replenish lost fluids

• When diarrhea occurs due to antibiotic use, the body loses a lot of water and electrolytes through stool. Therefore, rehydration is a crucial step to limit dehydration and help the body recover.

• Drink water regularly throughout the day, instead of waiting until you are thirsty. If you are nauseous, drink small sips frequently so the body can absorb it more easily.

Prioritize oral rehydration solutions when needed

• If you have frequent bowel movements, show signs of dehydration, or have difficulty rehydrating sufficiently by regular drinking, you can use oral rehydration solution (ORS) according to the product instructions. ORS provides water along with glucose and essential electrolytes.

• Broth or some electrolyte drinks can also help replenish fluids. When taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea, the goal is not just to drink plenty of water but also to replenish lost electrolytes.

Electrolyte drinks can be used but should not be overused

• Sports drinks can provide some electrolytes and are suitable for some mild cases of diarrhea in adults. However, if diarrhea is severe or there is a risk of dehydration, ORS is usually a more appropriate choice for rehydration and electrolyte replacement.

• You should limit high-sugar or caffeinated drinks, as some beverages can worsen diarrhea in some people.

Monitor for signs of dehydration

• When treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics, pay attention to signs such as increased thirst, dry mouth, infrequent urination, dark urine, dizziness, or unusual fatigue.

• If you cannot drink enough water, have very severe diarrhea, clear signs of dehydration, or the condition is worsening, contact a doctor for assessment and appropriate fluid replacement. Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids at a medical facility.

Regimen 4: Should I avoid dairy when taking antibiotics?

Temporarily reduce dairy if consumption worsens diarrhea

• When experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, the gut can become more sensitive. Milk and lactose-containing products can increase bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea in people who have difficulty digesting lactose. However, not everyone taking antibiotics needs to completely avoid dairy.

• If you notice that drinking milk, eating ice cream, cheese, or consuming dairy products exacerbates your symptoms, you can temporarily reduce or avoid them for a few days, then try reintroducing them gradually once your digestive system stabilizes.

Prioritize easy-to-digest foods during diarrhea

• When taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea, you should prioritize light foods such as rice, porridge, toast, bananas, eggs, lean meat, or low-fat foods.

• During the symptomatic days, you should limit high-fat, high-fiber, or heavily seasoned foods, as these groups can make diarrhea more uncomfortable.

It's not strictly necessary to completely avoid yogurt

• Yogurt contains live bacterial strains that some people may tolerate better than regular milk. However, evidence that probiotics help prevent or reduce diarrhea from taking antibiotics is still inconclusive, so yogurt or probiotics should not be considered a mandatory treatment method.

• If eating yogurt causes you bloating or more frequent bowel movements, temporarily stop and observe your body's reaction.

Pay attention to foods containing wheat if you are sensitive

• Wheat flour or wheat-based foods are not the cause of diarrhea for everyone taking antibiotics. You should only limit them if you notice that these foods typically worsen your symptoms.

• Do not eliminate too many food groups at once, as this can lead to a lack of energy and nutrients in your diet. Instead, identify which foods truly cause discomfort and adjust one group at a time.

Don't confuse diarrhea with the effects of milk alone

• Treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics does not mean you have to completely avoid milk. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea often occurs because the medication alters the gut microbiota, and in some cases, it can be related to Clostridioides difficile infection.

• If diarrhea is severe or prolonged, accompanied by significant abdominal pain, fever, dehydration, bloody or black stools, or if the condition is worsening, you should contact a doctor instead of just adjusting your diet at home.

Regimen 5: Avoid alcohol and caffeine when taking antibiotics

Temporarily avoid alcohol while on medication

• When experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, avoid alcohol until the course of treatment is finished or as advised by your doctor. Alcohol can worsen gastrointestinal discomfort and dehydration.

• More importantly, some antibiotics can interact with alcohol and cause adverse reactions. Therefore, do not assume that a small amount of alcohol is safe with all types of antibiotics.

• Specifically, metronidazole and tinidazole can cause unpleasant reactions when taken with alcohol; with some other drugs, alcohol can also increase nausea, dizziness, or other side effects. Check the instructions for the specific medication you are taking or ask your pharmacist.

Limit caffeine when experiencing diarrhea

• Caffeine is found in coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, and some soft drinks. This substance can irritate the intestines and cause some people to have more frequent bowel movements or feel more uncomfortable.

• If you are taking antibiotics and experiencing diarrhea, you should temporarily reduce or avoid caffeinated beverages, especially if you notice they worsen your symptoms.

Prioritize water and non-caffeinated beverages

• Plain water is a simple choice to maintain fluid levels in the body. If diarrhea is severe, you can use oral rehydration solution (ORS) according to the instructions.

• You can choose non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages. Drinking small amounts frequently will be easier if your stomach is upset.

Do not stop antibiotics yourself due to diarrhea

• If diarrhea occurs due to antibiotic use, do not self-discontinue the medication or change the dose. Contact your doctor if diarrhea is severe, prolonged, or causes you concern, so they can assess and decide whether medication adjustment is needed.

• If diarrhea is accompanied by fever, severe abdominal pain, bloody or black stools, severe diarrhea, or signs of dehydration, seek medical attention promptly as these could be signs of complications requiring specialized treatment.

Method 2: When should I see a doctor for diarrhea?

Note 1: Probiotics can help with diarrhea

Ask your doctor before taking probiotics

• When diarrhea occurs due to antibiotic use, your doctor may consider probiotics for some individuals to help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, the effectiveness depends on the specific probiotic strain, dosage, and health condition, so not all products have the same effect.

• Do not consider probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics or necessary diarrhea treatments. If you have severe underlying health conditions, are immunocompromised, or are hospitalized, consult your doctor before use.

Choose the right probiotic strain

• Some evidence suggests that strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may be helpful in some cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, it should not be assumed that all products containing Lactobacillus are equally effective.

• Saccharomyces boulardii has also been studied for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, but product selection should be based on the specific strain and expert advice rather than just looking at the name of the bacterial or yeast group.

Take probiotics at the right time

• If your doctor recommends probiotics, ask for clear instructions on when to take them based on the specific antibiotic and product. Many bacterial probiotics can be affected by antibiotics, so they are often taken at a different time than the antibiotic.

• Do not set a fixed timeline for all products. Some probiotics containing yeast, such as S. boulardii, have different characteristics than bacterial probiotics.

Probiotics can be supplemented through food

• Some fermented foods such as yogurt with live cultures, kefir, or fermented vegetables can provide beneficial microorganisms. However, the quantity and strains of microorganisms in food are not as consistent as in standardized probiotic products.

• If you are experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, only choose fermented foods that your body tolerates well. If milk or dairy products cause bloating, abdominal pain, or increased diarrhea, you should temporarily limit them.

Do not self-treat unusual diarrhea

• Treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics does not rely solely on probiotics. If diarrhea is prolonged, frequent, or accompanied by fever, significant abdominal pain, bloody stools, dehydration, or worsening condition, you need to contact a doctor to find the cause.

• Diarrhea occurring during or after a course of antibiotics can sometimes be related to Clostridioides difficile, which requires appropriate evaluation and treatment instead of just using probiotics at home.

Note 2: Should I use anti-diarrhea medication?

Consult a doctor before using anti-diarrhea medication

• When you have diarrhea from taking antibiotics, you should not self-medicate with anti-diarrhea drugs like loperamide (Imodium), especially if the cause has not been identified.

• Loperamide reduces intestinal motility and can help reduce the frequency of bowel movements in some cases of acute diarrhea. However, the drug does not treat the underlying cause of diarrhea and is not suitable for all cases.

• If you are experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking loperamide or any other over-the-counter medication. This is especially important if you are taking multiple medications at once.

Do not use anti-diarrhea medication if C. difficile infection is suspected

• Antibiotics can alter the gut microbiota and increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection. This is an important cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

• When there is a possibility of C. difficile, drugs that reduce intestinal motility, such as loperamide, should generally be avoided unless evaluated by a doctor. Professional guidelines warn that the use of anti-motility drugs without considering the possibility of C. difficile infection can lead to adverse outcomes.

Recognize warning signs that require medical attention

• Do not just try to treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics at home if the diarrhea is prolonged or has abnormal signs.

• Contact a doctor if diarrhea is severe or worsens, especially if accompanied by fever, significant abdominal pain, bloody stools, dehydration, or feeling rundown.

• If diarrhea occurs during or shortly after antibiotic use, the doctor may consider stool testing for C. difficile if consistent with symptoms and risk factors.

Do not stop antibiotics on your own

• If you experience diarrhea from taking antibiotics, do not stop the medication just because of side effects. Discuss with your doctor to determine if you need to continue, change medication, or adjust the treatment plan.

• In cases of confirmed C. difficile infection, IDSA/SHEA guidelines recommend evaluating whether to discontinue the causative antibiotic if possible and treating the C. difficile infection with a specific regimen.

Note 3: When does antibiotic-induced diarrhea require medical attention?

See a doctor if diarrhea is prolonged or worsens

• Diarrhea caused by antibiotics can often be mild and self-resolving, but do not be complacent if the condition is prolonged, recurrent, or progressively severe.

• If you are taking antibiotics or have just finished a course of treatment and still have diarrhea, contact a doctor for evaluation. Not all cases of diarrhea from taking antibiotics are due to C. difficile, but this is an important cause to rule out when risk factors are present.

Pay special attention to the risk of C. difficile infection

• Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and colitis. Most cases occur during or immediately after antibiotic use. The risk can still increase for about 3 months after antibiotic use.

• Some antibiotic groups have a higher risk of C. difficile association, including fluoroquinolones, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, clindamycin, and carbapenems. However, almost any antibiotic can be associated with this risk.

Do not wait if warning signs appear

• Contact a doctor early if diarrhea is severe or accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever.

  • Significant abdominal pain or tenderness.

  • Bloody stools.

  • Worsening diarrhea.

  • Excessive thirst, infrequent urination, dizziness, or other signs of dehydration.

  • Diarrhea that does not improve after discontinuing antibiotics.

• C. difficile can cause colitis, dehydration, and in severe cases, lead to serious complications.

Your doctor may need a stool test

• If you have diarrhea after taking antibiotics and your doctor suspects C. difficile, a stool sample test may be ordered to look for toxins or toxigenic strains of C. difficile.

• Therefore, treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics is not just about reducing the frequency of bowel movements. When symptoms are unusual, correctly identifying the cause helps avoid overlooking infections that require specific treatment.

Do not stop or change antibiotics on your own

• If you are experiencing diarrhea from taking antibiotics, do not stop, change, or reduce the dosage on your own. Discuss with your doctor to weigh the treatment benefits against the risk of side effects.

• If diarrhea is determined to be caused by C. difficile, your doctor may evaluate discontinuing the causative antibiotic if appropriate and select a specific treatment regimen for C. difficile infection.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). C. diff: Facts for Clinicians. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). About C. diff. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
3. Johnson, S., Lavergne, V., Skinner, A. M., Gonzales-Luna, A. J., Garey, K. W., Kelly, C. P., & Wilcox, M. H. (2021). Clinical Practice Guideline by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America: 2021 Focused Update Guidelines on Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73(5), e1029–e1044.
4. McDonald, L. C., Gerding, D. N., Johnson, S., Bakken, J. S., Carroll, K. C., Coffin, S. E., Dubberke, E. R., Garey, K. W., Gould, C. V., Kelly, C., Loo, V., Sammons, J. S., Sandora, T. J., & Wilcox, M. H. (2018). Clinical Practice Guideline Update for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 66(7), e1–e48.
5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Diarrhea. National Institutes of Health.
6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Treatment of Diarrhea. National Institutes of Health.

Content editor: Sidney Bailey Hoang.

Information reviewed and verified by expert: Christopher Walker.