Flagyl is causing diarrhea - sign of IBD flare?

[gkgupta]

Hi,
My almost 4 y.o. is suspected to have IBD. He also had an "indeterminate" result for C.Diff so his doctor put him on Metronidazole (Flagyl.) We're on Day 4 of Flagyl, and suddenly seeing a lot of watery diarrhea including nocturnal diarrhea. He only eats rice and potato chips, so nothing has changed in his diet. Is this a normal side-effect of Flagyl or could this be a sign of an IBD flare? He was doing fine before we started the Flagyl, did not have diarrhea. Thanks very much for any insights.

- Gita

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Gita,

I'm so sorry to hear about your little boy, it must be very hard for you all.

Diarrhoea can be a side effect of Flagyl, as it is with many antibiotics due to them destroying both the good and bad bowel flora. You would nearly have to think that the timing would mean it was the Flagyl but it is not a certainty. Continue to keep an eye on him, keep a record of his symptoms and ensure he doesn't become dehydrated. If you are at all concerned I would have him back to the doctor straight away.

Dusty. :heart:

 

[sawdust]

For what it's worth, Flagyl gives me lots of side effect, diarrhea included. The pharmacist likes to tell me all about how rough it is, but I always tell him that I'll take the side effects over infection. The metal mouth is my personal favorite. :yuck: Good advice there from Dusty.

 

[gkgupta]

Dusty and sawdust, thank you for your responses! I sent the doctor a note just in case, but for now I'll just keep my son hydrated and hope he doesn't get "metal mouth".

 

[tiloah]

That is a normal side effect of all antibiotics. If the diarrhea persists up to two weeks after discontinuing, then I'd say it's time to see the doc about it. Hopefully the Flagyl takes care of the C. diff. Flagyl is absolutely awful.

 

[Brian'sMom]

My son was on flagyl for a few months. He got to chew a 1/2 piece of watermelon Bubblicious chewing gum after he took it. He said the metal taste would then go away.

 

[AZMOM]

Claire had c diff a few years ago. Her ped prescribed flagyl and florastor kids (probiotic). The florastor is available at your pharmacy and can be purchased over the counter.

Might be worth asking your doc about if things don't improve.

J.

 

[gkgupta]

Hi all, just wanted to post a follow-up in case it's useful for anyone following the thread -we had the Flagyl compounded in syrup since my son can't swallow tablets yet, and the GI thinks the syrup may be the problem. We had to stop the Flagyl as a result.

 

[dannysmom]

Did the diarrhea go away?
My son was on cipro/flagyl for 2 months followed for 2 months of oral vancomycin. They both offered a few weeks of greatly reduced diarrhea at first, but eventually his diarrhea became daily and also nocturnal ... he never went back to baseline. Good luck.