Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Taking Antibiotics?

Antibiotics commonly cause stomach pain because they disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. These medications target bacteria causing your infection, but they can also change the number and variety of helpful bacteria in your digestive tract. Antibiotics can cause digestive upset through changes in gut bacteria, direct irritation of the digestive tract, and other medication-specific effects. Common symptoms include cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. How often these occur varies by the antibiotic and the person taking it. Follow the label or your clinician’s instructions about whether to take your antibiotic with food, because some antibiotics have special requirements. Staying hydrated may help if you have diarrhea. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using probiotics, especially if you have a weakened immune system or are seriously ill. Mild stomach discomfort often improves during treatment or after the antibiotic is finished. Contact a clinician promptly if diarrhea is severe, persistent, bloody, or accompanied by fever, dehydration, or significant abdominal pain, because antibiotic-associated diarrhea can sometimes require treatment.