Should I Be Worried About Diarrhea While On Doxycycline For Sinus Infection?

Posted on Sun, 12 Aug 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 Answered on

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a sinus infection and am taking Doxycycline 100mg for a sinus infection. I just had diarrhea maybe an 1 1/2 hr after taking the pill.
This happened right after my small meal. Should I be worried, Dr?
I'm a 71 yr old female.

Answered by Dr. Arnold Zedd (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Nearly every antibiotic can cause diarrhea because antibiotics cause C. diff( a bacterium) to grow in the intestines. This bacterium produces toxins that cause diarrhea, inflammation of intestine, and mucus and blood in stool.
Infection by this germ can begin on the first day the patient begins the antibiotic.

I recommend that you contact your PCP as soon as possible to see if he/she wants to see you or obtain a stool specimen to test for toxins of this germ.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help.
Arnold Zedd, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng