Is is ok to stop antibiotics early

[upsetmom]

Is it ok to stop antibiotics early

My daughter was put on antibiotics on Tuesday for a sore throat and coughing up mucus.
She felt better within a day but has got very bad diarrhea.
Is it ok to stop the antibiotics a few days early?

 

[mish2575]

no. Even though she feels better the bad bugs are still present in her body. If you stop taking the antibiotics the bugs could grow even stronger and become immune to the antibiotics. This is part of the problem with all these MRSA outbreaks.

Probiotics might help with counteracting the diarrhea. What about immodium (or the like)?

 

[upsetmom]

Thanks!

The problem is she has to go to work tonight and theres no way she'll give up her shift..:lol:

l never thought of giving her lmodium. I'll give her some during the day to see if it helps.

 

[Mountaingem]

Also she can take probiotic pills, like Culturelle and Florastor, which are specifically for antibiotic induced diarrhea. Yogurt and the like really aren't strong enough when it comes to antibiotic induced diarrhea. The only thing is she needs to take them an hour before or two hours after the antibiotic, or it will render the medication ineffective. Hope this helps!

 

[DustyKat]

In view of an IBD diagnosis I would be contacting the doctor. In some cases antibiotics do need to stopped or switched if diarrhoea is severe, even without IBD, due to the ability of the diarrhoea to cause colonic inflammation.

I hope your lass is feeling better soon, bless her. :ghug:

Dusty. xxx

 

[upsetmom]

due to the ability of the diarrhoea to cause colonic inflammation.

That was the next thing l was going to ask. Could it start a flare?

 

[DustyKat]

It could have the potential to do that upsetmom. It changes the bowel flora so that in itself can be an issue and the frequency and severity of the diarrhoea does have the potential to cause inflammation and that may lead to flaring as it will naturally cause an immune response.

Lots of ifs, buts, and maybes and it will come down to risk versus benefit. In your daughter's case if the diarrhoea is severe then perhaps it would be best to change antibiotics or cease them and try to ride out the upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Try and get hold of the GP or GI.

Dusty. xxx

 

[upsetmom]

GP said to keep going with the antibiotics.

I gave her some lmodium this morning which has settled the diarrhea. I don't know why l never thought of it earlier.:ybatty: