Indigestion after antibiotics

Antibiotics can irritate the stomach and may alter the balance of gut microbes. Indigestion may include nausea, upper-abdominal discomfort, bloating, belching, or reduced appetite during treatment or soon afterward. The medicine, its timing with food, and the infection being treated all matter. Antibiotics can also cause diarrhoea; watery diarrhoea, fever, or blood in stool needs clinical advice rather than self-treatment.

Indigestion is not proof that the antibiotic caused a serious problem. Other causes, including Gastritis, Acid Reflux, Peptic Ulcer, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection, may need consideration if symptoms continue.

Take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed unless a clinician tells you to stop. Follow its instructions about food and fluids, take doses with water, and avoid medicines or supplements that may interact until checked by a pharmacist. Choose simple meals while your stomach is unsettled and keep hydrated, particularly if loose stools occur.

Write down the antibiotic name, dose timing, start and finish dates, symptoms, bowel changes, rash, and any other medicines. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist if symptoms are troublesome or if you are considering stopping treatment; they can decide whether a change or examination is needed.

Get urgent help for facial or throat swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing, faintness, a widespread blistering rash, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, or severe watery diarrhoea. Arrange prompt review for fever with diarrhoea, dehydration, symptoms that worsen after the course, or indigestion that does not settle.

Ask: Is this expected with my antibiotic? Should I take it with food? Could another medicine be interacting? Do my bowel symptoms need testing? Should my treatment be continued, changed, or stopped?