

If the stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it is important to contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. In some cases, the stomach pain may be more severe and may require over-the-counter medication for relief.

How Long Does Stomach Pain From Antibiotics Last?Īntibiotic-related stomach pain typically lasts for a few days after starting the course of antibiotics. Gut flora may return to normal afterwards, particularly if you are on a short course, but symptoms may last for a couple of weeks. When gut microbiota dies, it can have a range of unwanted side effects including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea. Therefore, they kill both the infection-causing and health-supporting microbes indiscriminately. Why Do Antibiotics Make Your Stomach Hurt?Īntibiotics can’t tell the difference between good and bad bacteria in your body. When antibiotics disrupt these functions, it can lead to a cascade of unwanted symptoms and side effects such as stomach pain. Bacteria are responsible for bulking up stools (so that they pass more easily through the colon), absorbing certain nutrients from your diet, breaking down hard-to-digest sugars, sugar alcohols, and fiber, and releasing beneficial compounds into your bloodstream, such as short-chain fatty acids. Stomach complaints emerge during and after antibiotic usage because of the critical role gut microbes play in digestive health. According to research on a panel of antibiotics (including some of the most commonly prescribed), “gastrointestinal and dermatologic events are the most frequent,” with problems occurring in 5.5 percent of patients. Is It Normal for Antibiotics to Make Your Stomach Hurt?īecause of the way that antibiotics work, stomach problems are a common complaint.
