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What Causes Green Stool When Taking Metronidazole And Ciprofloxacin?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Mar 2015
Question: I am a 47 yr old male. I was given a prescription for a infection. in my large intestine the medicine I was given is metronidazole and ciprofloxacn both 500 mg I have been on them for six days now the metronidazole I will be off tomorrow. my question is I noticed that my poop is turning green is this normal for this to happen with this kind of medicine. ..
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Green stool result of the antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.

I see you have recently been diagnosed with what sounds like diverticulitis. Your doctor prescribed two antibiotics metronidazole and cipro. Now that you are almost finished with the metronidazole you notice that your stools are green in color. This is a common reaction to your antibiotics killing the bacteria in your gut. This is common and actually expected after taking antibiotics. the antibiotics actually not only kill the bad bacteria that is causing the infection but also killing the good bacteria that gives your stool color and form. To help reverse the change I usually recommend to my patients that while on antibiotics that they also take a probiotic. There are several brands on the market and all work. So I recommend that you finish your antibiotics and get the probiotics to help. Once you have completed your antibiotics the stool color will return to normal

In summary
1. Change in stool color normal and expected with antibiotics
2. Start a Probiotic
3. Finish antibiotics
4. Stool color will return to normal when you have completed your antibiotics

I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM or me again for your health care concerns or questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Green Stool When Taking Metronidazole And Ciprofloxacin?

Brief Answer: Green stool result of the antibiotics Detailed Answer: Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns. I see you have recently been diagnosed with what sounds like diverticulitis. Your doctor prescribed two antibiotics metronidazole and cipro. Now that you are almost finished with the metronidazole you notice that your stools are green in color. This is a common reaction to your antibiotics killing the bacteria in your gut. This is common and actually expected after taking antibiotics. the antibiotics actually not only kill the bad bacteria that is causing the infection but also killing the good bacteria that gives your stool color and form. To help reverse the change I usually recommend to my patients that while on antibiotics that they also take a probiotic. There are several brands on the market and all work. So I recommend that you finish your antibiotics and get the probiotics to help. Once you have completed your antibiotics the stool color will return to normal In summary 1. Change in stool color normal and expected with antibiotics 2. Start a Probiotic 3. Finish antibiotics 4. Stool color will return to normal when you have completed your antibiotics I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM or me again for your health care concerns or questions