How to Avoid Stomach Pain When Taking Antibiotics

Although very effective in treating bacterial infections, antibiotics are often not good for the digestive system. Stomach pain is a common side effect of antibiotics, as antibiotics can kill the natural bacteria in the stomach. ^{[1] X Research Source} Fortunately, there are a number of methods you can take to reduce your risk of stomach upset while taking medication.

Table of Contents

Use antibiotics wisely

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Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. When prescribing antibiotics, your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to take them. Following the instructions exactly can help you avoid an upset stomach, as your doctor will often give you advice on how to avoid this unpleasant side effect.

The doctor’s instructions often include a specific time to take antibiotics to minimize the effect of the drug on the stomach.
Unless otherwise directed on the medicine label, you should store antibiotics in a dark and dry place.
Some antibiotics may need to be kept in the refrigerator. In this case, keep the medicine in the refrigerator compartment. Antibiotics should never be frozen.

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Determine if the antibiotic you are taking needs to be taken after eating. Some antibiotics need to be taken after eating. The reason is because food acts as a neutralizer or barrier to antibiotics, helping to avoid gastrointestinal disorders. If the instructions say to take the medicine after eating, you need to do it correctly each time you take the medicine; otherwise, you may end up with an upset stomach. ^{[2] X Trusted Source US Food and Drug Administration Go to source}

Some antibiotics need to be taken on an empty stomach, including ampicillin and tetracycline. You should not take these medicines on an empty stomach, because food will affect how quickly the medicine works in the body.
If you need to take antibiotics on an empty stomach, it’s best to take them before breakfast. You should set an alarm if you need to be reminded.
Some antibiotics cause stomach upset when taken with certain foods. For example, the drug tetracycline can cause stomach upset when you take it with dairy products. To avoid stomach upset when taking tetracycline (or similar drugs like doxycycline and minocycline), you need to avoid dairy products while taking them.

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Make sure to take the correct dose of antibiotics each day. You need to be precise when taking antibiotics; Do not take an under-dosage, overdose, or double-dose. Not taking enough medicine will reduce the effectiveness of the infection that the body is fighting. Conversely, an overdose can increase the potency of the drug, leading to an increased risk of stomach upset. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you have trouble remembering whether you’ve taken your medicine or not, hang a calendar in the place where the medicine is kept. Every time you finish a pill day, you can cross out that day on the calendar. This will prevent you from accidentally taking a double dose.
Your prescription will also list the number of days you take antibiotics to clear up the infection. If you don’t take the prescribed dose, there’s a chance that leftover bacteria will cause the infection to return, or that the antibiotic will lose its effectiveness the next time you need it.

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Increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the body. In addition to fighting harmful bacteria, antibiotics can also attack the good bacteria in the body. When the beneficial bacteria are attacked, you can experience an upset stomach. Try to restore the number of beneficial bacteria to the right level to deal with an upset stomach. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Unsweetened white yogurt is a very good source of probiotics or beneficial bacteria. If you normally only eat one serving of yogurt to take advantage of this food’s benefits, consider eating 3-5 servings of yogurt a day while taking antibiotics to offset the amount of beneficial bacteria. Look for yogurts that contain live yeast for best results.
Garlic is a rich source of prebiotics. Prebiotics provide nutrients for probiotics (found in yogurt or sauerkraut, for example). A serving of about 3 large cloves of garlic per day can help preserve the right levels of beneficial bacteria in the body (note that garlic can cause bad breath).
Other good sources of probiotics include miso paste, sauerkraut, ginseng tea, and kefir. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Reduce sugar intake while taking antibiotics. Sugar can cause bacteria to multiply.
It is also a good idea to drink chicken broth while taking antibiotics.

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Tell your doctor about your past history of taking antibiotics. If you have a history of stomach pain caused by taking antibiotics, you should discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe other medications for you. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Your doctor may also adjust your dose to reduce the likelihood of an upset stomach or prescribe an antiemetic to reduce stomach upset such as nausea or vomiting.
Some antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. If you start to notice a rash or itching while taking a new antibiotic, call your doctor right away.

Stomach pain treatment

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Drink a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is an herbal remedy that can act as an anti-inflammatory. Chamomile tea can help soothe your stomach if the stomach lining is disturbed because of a bacterial imbalance caused by the action of the drug. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Bring the water to a boil, then pour the boiling water over the tea bag.
Cover the tea cup or teapot and wait for the tea to infuse for 15-20 minutes. The longer the tea steeps, the stronger it gets.
Add a teaspoon of honey or other sweetener if you like, but keep in mind that the tea itself is quite sweet without any added sweetener.

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Apply “hot” to the abdomen. A hot water bottle or heating pad applied to the abdomen can help relax the stomach and make it more comfortable. If the pain is caused by a spasm caused by the antibiotic, the feeling of warmth on your skin can help you relax and relieve the pain. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If you don’t have a hot pack, try pouring dry rice or pinto beans into a clean cloth container (socks are also suitable). Make sure the container is airtight (you can tie it up or tape it) and microwave it for about 30 seconds (or until the ingredients are warm).
Do not let the pack get too hot. You should have a warm feeling on your skin.
Find a comfortable place to lie down so that you can place the hot pack firmly on your stomach. Apply for at least 15 minutes. You can repeat as many times as you want.

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Drink rice water. Rice water is the water in the pot when cooking rice. Rice water when taken in will help soothe the stomach by coating a lining on the stomach lining. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Cook rice water by cooking ½ cup of rice (normal white rice is fine) with twice the amount of water needed – in this case, ½ cup of rice will cook with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for another 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
Pour the water and rice through the basket, saving the rice for the meal. Collect the rice water in a bowl or pot.
Pour rice water into a cup and drink while still warm. You can add 1 teaspoon of honey if you like.

Advice

Avoid taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. You should only take antibiotics when you have a real bacterial infection. Other than this, antibiotics will only attack the good bacteria and cause other problems. Furthermore, bacteria can mutate and develop resistance to antibiotics, and when you really need antibiotics, your doctor may have to increase the dose.
Remember that antibiotics do not kill viruses. If you have a cold or other viral infection, don’t ask for antibiotics.

Warning

Never share antibiotics with others. Only take the medicine prescribed for you by your doctor.
If you’re going to take another medicine to ease an upset stomach, ask your doctor first. Some pain relievers can interact with antibiotics and affect their effectiveness.

Steps

Use antibiotics wisely

Stomach pain treatment

Advice

Warning

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