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Medicines That Can Cause Diarrhea

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Overview

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause diarrhea. A few examples are:

  • Antibiotics.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Antacids.
  • Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).
  • Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).

Many antibiotics cause diarrhea. Usually the diarrhea is mild and will clear up without treatment. A more serious type of diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile may occur while taking the antibiotic or shortly after finishing the antibiotic.

Diarrhea may be a sign of serious reaction to a medicine, such as a toxic reaction. Diarrhea is an early sign of toxicity for some medicines, including lithium (such as Eskalith or Lithobid) and digoxin (Lanoxin).

If you think a medicine is causing diarrhea, contact the doctor who prescribed it. The dosage may need to be changed, or the medicine may need to be stopped.

Credits

Current as of: September 25, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.