Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAntibiotics and Gastrointestinal Side EffectsHow Antibiotics Affect the Gut MicrobiomeHow to Manage Constipation Due to AntibioticsOther Causes of Constipation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Antibiotics and Gastrointestinal Side Effects
How Antibiotics Affect the Gut Microbiome
How to Manage Constipation Due to Antibiotics
Other Causes of Constipation
While antibiotics more commonly cause nausea and diarrhea than constipation, some people will experience constipation from antibiotic treatment. However, it’s relatively uncommon.The human gut microbiome consists of microorganisms (tiny, living things that can only be seen under a microscope), such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Antibiotics can cause significant changes to themicrobiome, resulting in stomach-related side effects.Antibiotics also increase the risk ofClostridioides difficileinfection (previously calledClostridium difficile), often referred to asC. diffinfection. This infection can cause severe diarrhea and other complications.Getty Images /MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images/ ContributorAntibiotics and Gastrointestinal Side EffectsAntibiotics are known for causing stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less commonly, they can cause constipation. Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome, which can lead to these gastrointestinal symptoms.Here are some examples of commonly prescribed antibiotics and the incidences of stomach problems:Amoxicillin: Up to 8% of people experience diarrhea, while about 1% each experience nausea or vomiting. Constipation is not listed as a side effect of amoxicillin.Augmentin(amoxicillin/clavulanate): Up to 34% of people experience diarrhea, up to 3% experience nausea, and up to 8% have vomiting as a side effect. Constipation is not listed as a side effect.Cipro(ciprofloxacin): Vomiting and/or diarrhea occur in up to about 5% of people, while nausea has been reported in about 4%. Constipation occurs in up to 1% of individuals.Cleocin (clindamycin): Diarrhea occurs in up to 20% of people, while both nausea and vomiting occur in about 1%. Constipation is listed as a side effect that occurs in up to 2% of people.Omnicef (cefdinir): Diarrhea occurs in up to 15% of people, nausea in up to 3%, and vomiting in 1%. Constipation is listed as a side effect in about 0.3% of people.Zithromax(azithromycin): Diarrhea occurs in up to 14% of people, as does vomiting. Nausea occurs in up to 18% of people. Constipation is listed as a side effect that occurs in up to 1% of people.As the percentages show, side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are much more common than constipation. Although it is uncommon to experience constipation from an antibiotic, it is possible.C. Diff InfectionC. diffis a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and a more serious intestinal condition calledcolitis. In most cases, this infection is related to antibiotic use.When antibiotics eliminate bad bacteria, they also eliminate the good kinds of bacteria that are there to protect the body.C. diffinfection can occur during antibiotic treatment or up to several months after you finish an antibiotic. It’s more likely to occur if you take an antibiotic for more than seven days.The most common antibiotics that causeC. diffinfection are:Cephalosporinantibioticssuch as cephalexinCleocin (clindamycin)Fluoroquinoloneantibiotics such as Cipro (ciprofloxacin) or levofloxacinPenicillin antibioticssuch as amoxicillinWhile antibiotic use is the most common cause ofC. diffinfection, other risk factors may include:Being 65 years or olderHaving recently stayed in anursing homeor hospitalHaving a compromised immune systemHaving had aC. diffinfection in the pastHaving been exposed to aC. diffinfectionSymptomsof this infection may range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening and, in severe cases, may cause death if not treated. Symptoms may include:Diarrhea, which can lead todehydrationfrom fluid lossFeverStomach painAppetite lossNauseaHow Antibiotics Affect the Gut MicrobiomeThe gut microbiome consists of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, along with theirgenomes(genetic material) and environmental conditions, that live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.Trillions of microbes (tiny living things) live in the human gut. These microbes are related to nutrition, digestion, immune function, disease prevention, and other functions.Although antibiotics cure many infections, they can disrupt the gut microbiome. Due to the effect of antibiotics on the microbiome, gastrointestinal side effects may occur.Diarrhea is a common side effect, whileC. diffinfection is a less common but serious side effect.While any antibiotic can causeC. diffinfection, as mentioned above, certain antibiotics are more likely to do so than others, including amoxicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, clindamycin, and fluoroquinolones.How to Manage Constipation Due to AntibioticsIf you are experiencing constipation due to antibiotics, whether as a direct side effect of antibiotics or as a related occurrence, you can try some lifestyle changes to improve symptoms of constipation:Gradually increase your fiber intake.Fibersupports the gut microbiome and helps with digestion. Females should aim for up to 30 grams of fiber daily, and males should aim for up to 38 grams daily. Incorporate foods such as fruits, vegetables, oats, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lentils, and popcorn. Prunes and prune juice can also help with constipation. Avoid fatty foods (greasy/oily), fried food, processed meats, baked goods, and cheese, which can all contribute to constipation.Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Water can help fiber do its job and make it easier to pass stools. You can also sip on clear soups and vegetable juice.Exercise as tolerated.If you are not feeling well, any bit of movement may help with constipation.If lifestyle changes do not help, or you need extra help relieving constipation, you might want to try afiber supplement,stool softener, orlaxative. The choice will depend on your symptoms and discomfort level and how fast you want relief. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a personalized recommendation.Other Causes of ConstipationIn some cases, constipation may occur while taking antibiotics, but the antibiotic does not directly cause the constipation.Some examples of other potential causes of constipation include:Lack of exercise: When taking an antibiotic, you are probably not feeling well and likely not getting as much exercise as you normally do. The lack of exercise may contribute to constipation.Not drinking enough liquids: If you are not drinking as many fluids as you normally do, this can contribute to constipation.Not eating enough fiber: Not taking in muchdietary fibercan be one cause of constipation.Other medications: Certain medications can cause constipation. Allergy medications such as theantihistamineBenadryl(diphenhydramine) may cause constipation. Diphenhydramine is also an ingredient in many combination cold and cough products. If you are taking an antihistamine, you may experience constipation. Or, if you are takingantacidsforheartburn, aluminum or calcium-containing antacids may cause constipation (while magnesium-containing antacids can cause diarrhea).SummaryAntibiotics are more likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea than constipation. However, some antibiotics do cause constipation in a small number of people.Moreover, some people experience constipation while taking an antibiotic, not from the antibiotic but from a related occurrence, such as not drinking as much fluid as usual.If you experience constipation while taking antibiotics, you can try lifestyle changes such as eating more fiber, drinking plenty of fluids, and practicing more physical movement. If those methods don’t work, ask your healthcare provider if you should try a fiber supplement, stool softener, or laxative.
While antibiotics more commonly cause nausea and diarrhea than constipation, some people will experience constipation from antibiotic treatment. However, it’s relatively uncommon.
The human gut microbiome consists of microorganisms (tiny, living things that can only be seen under a microscope), such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Antibiotics can cause significant changes to themicrobiome, resulting in stomach-related side effects.
Antibiotics also increase the risk ofClostridioides difficileinfection (previously calledClostridium difficile), often referred to asC. diffinfection. This infection can cause severe diarrhea and other complications.
Getty Images /MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images/ Contributor
Antibiotics are known for causing stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less commonly, they can cause constipation. Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome, which can lead to these gastrointestinal symptoms.
Here are some examples of commonly prescribed antibiotics and the incidences of stomach problems:
As the percentages show, side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are much more common than constipation. Although it is uncommon to experience constipation from an antibiotic, it is possible.
C. Diff Infection
C. diffis a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and a more serious intestinal condition calledcolitis. In most cases, this infection is related to antibiotic use.
When antibiotics eliminate bad bacteria, they also eliminate the good kinds of bacteria that are there to protect the body.C. diffinfection can occur during antibiotic treatment or up to several months after you finish an antibiotic. It’s more likely to occur if you take an antibiotic for more than seven days.
The most common antibiotics that causeC. diffinfection are:
While antibiotic use is the most common cause ofC. diffinfection, other risk factors may include:
Symptomsof this infection may range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening and, in severe cases, may cause death if not treated. Symptoms may include:
The gut microbiome consists of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, along with theirgenomes(genetic material) and environmental conditions, that live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.
Trillions of microbes (tiny living things) live in the human gut. These microbes are related to nutrition, digestion, immune function, disease prevention, and other functions.
Although antibiotics cure many infections, they can disrupt the gut microbiome. Due to the effect of antibiotics on the microbiome, gastrointestinal side effects may occur.
Diarrhea is a common side effect, whileC. diffinfection is a less common but serious side effect.While any antibiotic can causeC. diffinfection, as mentioned above, certain antibiotics are more likely to do so than others, including amoxicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, clindamycin, and fluoroquinolones.
If you are experiencing constipation due to antibiotics, whether as a direct side effect of antibiotics or as a related occurrence, you can try some lifestyle changes to improve symptoms of constipation:
If lifestyle changes do not help, or you need extra help relieving constipation, you might want to try afiber supplement,stool softener, orlaxative. The choice will depend on your symptoms and discomfort level and how fast you want relief. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a personalized recommendation.
In some cases, constipation may occur while taking antibiotics, but the antibiotic does not directly cause the constipation.
Some examples of other potential causes of constipation include:
Summary
Antibiotics are more likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea than constipation. However, some antibiotics do cause constipation in a small number of people.
Moreover, some people experience constipation while taking an antibiotic, not from the antibiotic but from a related occurrence, such as not drinking as much fluid as usual.
If you experience constipation while taking antibiotics, you can try lifestyle changes such as eating more fiber, drinking plenty of fluids, and practicing more physical movement. If those methods don’t work, ask your healthcare provider if you should try a fiber supplement, stool softener, or laxative.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Children’s Hospital Association.Antibiotics and gut health: should your child take probiotics with antibiotics?Ramirez J, Guarner F, Bustos Fernandez L, et al.Antibiotics as major disruptors of gut microbiota.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.572912MedlinePlus.C. diff infections.Patangia DV, Anthony Ryan C, Dempsey E, et al.Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health.Microbiologyopen. 2022;11(1):e1260. doi:10.1002/mbo3.1260PDR.Amoxicillin.PDR.Augmentin.PDR.Cipro.PDR.Cleocin.PDR.Omnicef.PDR.Zithromax.Bhattacharyya M, Debnath AK, Todi SK.Clostridium difficileand antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24(Suppl 4):S162-S167. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23619UCLA Health.Antibiotics can temporarily wipe out the gut microbiome.Harvard Health.8 ways to get constipation relief.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for constipation.Harvard Health.Over-the-counter antacids for heartburn.Kaiser Permanente.Medicines that can cause constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Children’s Hospital Association.Antibiotics and gut health: should your child take probiotics with antibiotics?Ramirez J, Guarner F, Bustos Fernandez L, et al.Antibiotics as major disruptors of gut microbiota.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.572912MedlinePlus.C. diff infections.Patangia DV, Anthony Ryan C, Dempsey E, et al.Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health.Microbiologyopen. 2022;11(1):e1260. doi:10.1002/mbo3.1260PDR.Amoxicillin.PDR.Augmentin.PDR.Cipro.PDR.Cleocin.PDR.Omnicef.PDR.Zithromax.Bhattacharyya M, Debnath AK, Todi SK.Clostridium difficileand antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24(Suppl 4):S162-S167. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23619UCLA Health.Antibiotics can temporarily wipe out the gut microbiome.Harvard Health.8 ways to get constipation relief.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for constipation.Harvard Health.Over-the-counter antacids for heartburn.Kaiser Permanente.Medicines that can cause constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.Children’s Hospital Association.Antibiotics and gut health: should your child take probiotics with antibiotics?Ramirez J, Guarner F, Bustos Fernandez L, et al.Antibiotics as major disruptors of gut microbiota.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.572912MedlinePlus.C. diff infections.Patangia DV, Anthony Ryan C, Dempsey E, et al.Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health.Microbiologyopen. 2022;11(1):e1260. doi:10.1002/mbo3.1260PDR.Amoxicillin.PDR.Augmentin.PDR.Cipro.PDR.Cleocin.PDR.Omnicef.PDR.Zithromax.Bhattacharyya M, Debnath AK, Todi SK.Clostridium difficileand antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24(Suppl 4):S162-S167. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23619UCLA Health.Antibiotics can temporarily wipe out the gut microbiome.Harvard Health.8 ways to get constipation relief.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for constipation.Harvard Health.Over-the-counter antacids for heartburn.Kaiser Permanente.Medicines that can cause constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antibiotic use questions and answers.
Children’s Hospital Association.Antibiotics and gut health: should your child take probiotics with antibiotics?
Ramirez J, Guarner F, Bustos Fernandez L, et al.Antibiotics as major disruptors of gut microbiota.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.572912
MedlinePlus.C. diff infections.
Patangia DV, Anthony Ryan C, Dempsey E, et al.Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health.Microbiologyopen. 2022;11(1):e1260. doi:10.1002/mbo3.1260
PDR.Amoxicillin.
PDR.Augmentin.
PDR.Cipro.
PDR.Cleocin.
PDR.Omnicef.
PDR.Zithromax.
Bhattacharyya M, Debnath AK, Todi SK.Clostridium difficileand antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24(Suppl 4):S162-S167. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23619
UCLA Health.Antibiotics can temporarily wipe out the gut microbiome.
Harvard Health.8 ways to get constipation relief.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foods for constipation.
Harvard Health.Over-the-counter antacids for heartburn.
Kaiser Permanente.Medicines that can cause constipation.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
