was taking 500 mg twice a day... my error. rx was 3 times. got diarrhea on about the 6th day... sunday. took on monday morning and stopped. diarrhea still present. watery. what do i need to do?
What do I do for diarrhea from keflex? how soon should it resolve?
Question posted by bettinamerlina on 21 Nov 2012
Last updated on 27 November 2012
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3 Answers
MacIntosh12
21 Nov 2012
Hi bettinamerlina, buy the probiotics NOW, and start them immediately, as kaismama has mentioned, probiotics definetely help with that side effect from any antibiotic. Also, eating yogurt (while on an antiB and after) can help. But avoid any and all dairy products whilst taking an antiB, as they can really exacerbate diarrhea. If you are able to leave the house, get those probiotics, found at any pharmacy. If you are unable to leave the house because you are 'tied to the potty', ask a family member to pick up the product, as it will help most assuredly. IF, after two days of probiotics, you still have watery stools, see your doctor!
Best wishes for a quick recovery,
Mac
bettinamerlina
22 Nov 2012
Thanks to all of you. No money for probiotics til december but they weren't helping. Called dr. Staying off keflex and given flagyl and lomotil AND a 4 bottle specimen kit. It is supposed to be taken in right away but that will mean on or after friday because of thanksgiving.
Does anybody know if all 4 bottles have to come from one bowel movement?. thats a lot of bottles. Would like to just get it over with but one bottle has no preservatives... and apparently 3 do. he is looking for c-diff and other bad news bears. but c-diff is what he expects. my immune system is down because of grief and another medicine. today is not quite so bad. started gatorade last night. didn't yet need iv fluids... but having trouble resting... thanks again and if anybody can tell me more about taking this culture with 3 bottles of liquid and one without, i would appreciate hearing.
MacIntosh12
27 Nov 2012
Hi bettinamerlina, I will alert kaismama (she is a nurse) regarding your question about samples (O what Joy! Just kidding, isn't doing that just sort of dehumanizing?) and she will probably be able to tell you the answer.
I'm very glad to learn you are off Keflex and on Flagyl. I've never taken Flagyl, but hear it's easier on the old digestive tract.
I hope you are feeling better very soon, and keep pressing those fluids, water, gatorade, even apple juice is OK, it won't aggravate your digestive situation. Remember the BRAT diet for diarrhea? You will IF you are a mom, Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast.
If you become dehydrated, please, call 911!
Good luck,
Lara
MacIntosh12
27 Nov 2012
I just sent kaismama a little note, telling her that you've another question.
She is ever so helpful and will probably be able to answer your query. IF you need the answer NOW, please, call your doctor's office to find out how the sample thing should be done.
Hope you get it resolved today.
kaismama
27 Nov 2012
Ok, I doubt they'd have to be from the same stool, but the one without preservatives is for the cdiff and it has to get to the lab in something like 16 hrs. The others are cultures and will do ok if they aren't rushed as fast. I would do the cdiff first since it takes the least amount of time to run and its the most likely thing you've got after the antibiotic. This is a lesson to me and everyone, if you're taking an antibiotic, take a probiotic with it. I don't know why docs don't prescribe it that way.
kaismama
21 Nov 2012
You may need to have a culture done. Keflex kills the bacteria that help you, in your intestines and that causes the diarrhea. You could have overgrown another one that is causing more trouble. You will need to call your dr. Probiotics help if you take them when on an antibiotic. But now they may not.
Inactive
21 Nov 2012
Hello bettinamerlina. Watery Diarrhea is considered tobe a serious side effect to taking Keflex. Diarrhea itself is not. I would let your doctor know as soon as possible. Regards pledge
Related topics
Further information
- Keflex uses and safety info
- Keflex prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Keflex (detailed)
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