How to Avoid Stomach Pain when Taking Antibiotics

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Medically-verified ways to prevent & relieve stomach aches

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Medically reviewed by Roy Nattiv, MD

Last Updated: July 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Taking Antibiotics Correctly
|
• Alleviating Stomach Pain
|
• Video
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

While antibiotics work well to fight off bacterial infections, they often disrupt your digestive system. Stomach pain is a common side effect because antibiotics kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your chances of stomach pain when taking your medication.

Things You Should Know

• Follow your doctor's instructions while taking antibiotics, and note whether they should be taken with or without food.
• Build up the good bacteria in your body by eating foods like yogurt and garlic.
• Drink chamomile tea, ginger tea, or rice water to soothe stomach pain.
• Use a heating pad to help relax your body and alleviate pain.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Antibiotics Correctly

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1. 1
   Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. When your doctor writes you a prescription for antibiotics, they will give you specific instructions on how to take the medication. Following their instructions can help reduce your chances of developing stomach pain, since your doctor will most likely give you tips on how to avoid unpleasant side effects.

   • Your instructions will include how many days you should take the antibiotics, how many times per day to take them, and whether you should take them with food.
   • Unless the label indicates otherwise, store your antibiotics in a cool, dark, and dry place.
   • Some antibiotics may need to be stored in the refrigerator, between 35.6 °F (2.0 °C) to 46.4 °F (8.0 °C). Check the storage instructions of your medication before refrigerating it, and do not freeze antibiotics.
2. 2
   Determine if your antibiotics should be taken with food. Some medications are meant to be taken with food. This is because the food acts as a physical barrier to the surface of the gut wall, reducing side effects like indigestion, nausea, and stomach irritation. If your instructions tell you to take your antibiotics with food, make sure to do so every time to avoid an upset stomach.

   • Some antibiotics are meant to be taken on an empty stomach, such as flucloxacillin and tetracycline. Do not take food with these drugs because it may affect their absorbancy and increase your risk of side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
   • If you need to take your antibiotics on an empty stomach, take them about one hour before a meal, or 2 hours after a meal. Set an alarm if you need help remembering the time.
   • Certain foods may affect the absorption of some antibiotics. For example, milk and other dairy products can interfere with the absorption of tetracycline by 50-90%. This may cause stomach pain, so ask your doctor if you need to avoid specific foods when taking your medication.
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3. 3
   Make sure to take the correct amount of the antibiotic each day. Be precise when taking your antibiotics; do not underdose, overdose, or double dose. Underdosing antibiotics increases your risk of treatment failure and may cause high antibiotic resistance. While overdosing is unlikely to cause you serious harm, it will make you more likely to have an upset stomach.

   • If you have a hard time remembering if you have already taken your medication, hang a calendar where you keep your medications. When you take your antibiotics for the day, write it on your calendar so you do not accidentally double dose.
   • Your prescription will be written for the amount of time it will take the antibiotic to fight off the bacterial infection. If you don't take your antibiotic as prescribed, the remaining bacteria in your body may restart an infection, or the antibiotics may not work as well the next time they're needed.
4. 4
   Increase the amount of good bacteria in your body. Aside from fighting off the “bad” bacteria in your body, antibiotics also attack the “good” bacteria in your body. When this good bacteria is attacked, it disrupts your gut, so restoring the levels of good bacteria may relieve stomach pain. While some people think good bacteria has a positive effect, it’s still under research. Always check with your doctor before trying any new supplements.

   • Plain, unsweetened yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics or good bacteria. Eat 1 or 2 plain Greek yogurts a day when taking antibiotics, and look for yogurt that contains live, active culture for best results.
   • Garlic is a good source of prebiotics, which provide nourishment for probiotics. Other foods with prebiotics include oats, bananas, blueberries, asparagus, spinach, artichokes, onions, leeks, flax seed, and chia seeds.
   • Other sources of good bacteria include miso, sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, and kefir.
   • Board certified gastroenterologist Peter Gardner says that your microbiome plays “a huge role [in your body], in everything from inflammation to building muscle.” This means the levels of bacteria in your gut may affect your gastrointestinal system and overall health.
5. 5
   Tell your doctor about past experiences you've had with antibiotics. If you have a history of stomach pain caused by antibiotics, discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor may give you an alternative drug.

   • Your doctor may also adjust the dose of your medication to reduce your chances of stomach pain, or prescribe anti-sickness medication to lessen symptoms like nausea or vomiting.
   • Certain antibiotics may cause an allergic reaction, such as an itchy rash. If you experience blistering skin, facial swelling, or breathing issues (wheezing), call 911 immediately.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Alleviating Stomach Pain

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1. 1
   Drink a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is a mild herbal remedy that can work as an anti-inflammatory. If your stomach lining is upset by the imbalance of bacteria from your medication, chamomile tea can help soothe your stomach. Although some studies support the use of chamomile tea for stomach pain, more research needs to be done to determine whether it is effective.

   • Bring water to a boil, then pour over a chamomile tea bag.
   • Cover your teacup or pot, and allow your tea to steep for 15 to 20 minutes. The longer your tea steeps, the stronger it will be.
   • If you like, add a teaspoon of honey or another sweetener of your choice.
2. 2
   Apply a "hot" pack to your belly. Placing a hot water bottle or an electric heating pad over your stomach is shown to relieve pain and discomfort. If your pain is due to cramps caused by antibiotics, the feeling of warmth against your skin may help you relax and feel better.

   • If you don't have a hot pack, fill a sock with dried pinto beans or rice. Tie your sock and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until the ingredients are warm to the touch.
   • Don't let your hot pack get too hot. You want it to feel warm to the touch.
   • Find a comfortable place to lie down, where you can balance the hot pack against your stomach. Leave it in place for at least 15 minutes. You may repeat as often as you'd like to.
3. 3
   Drink some rice water. Rice water is water that is left over after cooking rice. Drinking rice water may temporarily control diarrhea caused by antibiotics and minimize stomach pain.

   • Make your own rice water by cooking 1/2 cup of plain white rice with 2 cups of water. Bring the rice-water mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
   • Pour the rice and water through a sieve, reserving the rice for a bland meal. Catch the rice water in a bowl or kitchen pot.
   • Fill a drinking glass with the rice water, and enjoy it warm. If you like, add a spoonful of honey.
4. 4
   Enjoy a hot cup of fresh ginger tea. Ginger is a well-known remedy for alleviating vomiting and nausea. Sipping on a warm infusion of ginger tea may help relieve the stomach pain caused by antibiotics, but more research needs to be done to determine whether it is effective.

   • Wash, peel, and roughly chop 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of ginger root. Bring 1 to 2 cups of water to a boil, then add your ginger. The more water you use, the more diluted your tea will be. If you steep the ginger in water, your tea will be stronger.
   • Boil for 3 to 5 minutes, then steep the ginger for another 3 to 5 minutes.
   • Remove the ginger tea from the heat, strain out any chunks of ginger, and pour your fresh ginger tea into a mug or teapot.
   • If you like, add a spoonful of honey or other sweetener. Some people enjoy a slice of lemon with their hot ginger tea.
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Foods to Eat and Avoid & Drinks to Soothe Stomach Pain

Foods to Eat when Taking Antibiotics

Foods to Avoid when Taking Antibiotics

Drinks to Soothe Stomach Pain when Taking Antibiotics

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Tips

• If you experience diarrhea while taking antibiotics, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
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• Board certified gastroenterologist Muhammed Khan says to “stay away from acid, like lemonade or soda” when you have an upset stomach.
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Warnings

• Only take medication that is prescribed for you, and do not share your antibiotics with another person.
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• If you develop any side effects while taking antibiotics or right after finishing them, talk to your healthcare provider.
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• If you are thinking about taking another medication to ease your stomach pain, tell your doctor before doing so. Some drug interactions can cause negative results.
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• Avoid taking antibiotics if you do not have a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not kill viruses, such as colds or the flu, and taking antibiotics when you do not need them can lead to antibiotic resistance.
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