Suggest Treatment For Fever, Chills, Nausea, Diarrhea And Dehydration

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

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

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 Answered on

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have tested positive for C-Difficile. I began taking Flagyl 25mg three times daily on Friday. Since then, my symptoms have not improved at all. I have fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea and dehydration. My primary doctor acts as if this is no big deal. The GI specialist cannot see me until August 14th. I have lost 20 pounds. Should I go to the Emergency Room? I don't know where else to turn.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
2 possible causes, please read ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Ideally, you should respond to flagyl (metronidazole), but as you do not seem to be responding to the medication I think the following could be the issues:

+Inadequate dosage: I do not think the dosage in your case is adequate enough to produce a good effect

+Resistance: You could also be resistant to metronidazole, making you completely unresponsive to the use of this medication, thus requiring a change in prescription (alternate antibiotic to be initiated)

So I would request you to either way visit your doctor for a change in prescription. I also hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)

Thank you for your input.

For whatever reason my healthcare provider refuses to give me a different antibiotic.

What dosage of Flagyl would you recommend? And what medication do you suggest if the Flagyl does not work?

I am listening to my body. If I do not feel better tomorrow morning, I may have to go back to the Emergency Dept. as my primary doctor is now helping.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dosage mentioned for adults; can also use oflaxacin

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

If flagyl is taken in the adult form, for an infection like yours it is routine to prescribe 500 mg oral tablet to be taken twice a day for 7-10 days (adult dosage) and 250 mg tablet to be taken twice a day (children dose)

I cannot prescribe a substitute in such a scenario as only your doctor can do that, but we can also use oflaxacin 200 mg to be taken twice a day for 7-10 days, but then again the response of any antibiotic prescribed needs to be checked within the first 48-72 hours, if no response is noted either increase dosage or change the antibiotic.

Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar