Health Tip: Drugs That May Lead to Diarrhea
(HealthDay News) -- Certain medications are more likely than others to aggravate the digestive tract and result in loose stools, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.
The agency says they include:
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Antibiotics, which often cause diarrhea because they kill bacteria -- even the good bacteria -- found in the intestines.
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Chemotherapy drugs, used to treat cancer.
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Immune system-suppressing drugs, such as mycophenolate.
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Some herbal teas that contain senna or other substances that are natural laxatives.
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A laxative is meant to relieve constipation. But taking too much of a laxative can lead to problem diarrhea.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Sylvia Byrd, RN, BSN, MBA
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith, RN, MSN, FNP, CCRC
Last Annual Review Date:
5/20/2009