Appendicitis

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 2, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
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AMBULATORY CARE:

Appendicitis

is inflammation of your appendix. The appendix is a small pouch in the lower right side of your abdomen. It is attached to the first part of the large intestine. A blockage or infection can cause your appendix to become inflamed. Inflammation may cause your appendix to swell, fill with pus, and rupture. You will need immediate care to prevent a ruptured appendix. A ruptured appendix can cause bacteria to leak into the abdomen. This can lead to a serious infection called peritonitis.

Signs and symptoms of appendicitis

may start suddenly. The most common symptom is pain that starts at the belly button and moves to the lower right side of your abdomen. The pain worsens when you touch your abdomen, move, sneeze, cough, or take a deep breath. You may also have any of the following:

• Abdomen that feels hard
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever

Seek care immediately if:

• You have abdominal pain that gets worse or does not go away, even after you take medicine.
• You have a fast heartbeat or feel weak or faint.
• You have trouble thinking clearly.
• You are vomiting and cannot keep food down.

Related medications

Call your doctor if:

• You have a fever or shaking chills.
• You have trouble having a bowel movement, or you have diarrhea.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Treatment

may include any of the following:

• Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat an infection.
• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
• Drainage may be needed if you develop an abscess after a burst appendix. To drain the abscess, your healthcare provider guides a tube through your skin and into the abscess. Infected fluid drains through the tube.
• An appendectomy is surgery to remove your appendix. Your appendix may be removed through small incisions in your abdomen. If your appendix has burst, you may need an open appendectomy. A single, larger incision is made to remove the appendix and clean out the abdomen.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• piperacillin/tazobactam
• Zosyn

Follow up with your doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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