List of Medications that Cause Diarrhea

Nearly all medicines might cause diarrhea as a side effect. The drugs listed below, nevertheless, are more likely to cause diarrhea.

List of Medications that Cause Diarrhea

Acarbose
Levothyroxine (usually at excessive dose)
Proton pump inhibitors e.g. lansoprazole, omeprazole
Misoprostol
Colchicine
Leflunomide
Antibiotics
Cytotoxic drugs e.g. methotrexate
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) e.g. lisinopril, ramipril,
Sulphonylureas e.g. gliclazide, glipizide
Aminosalicylates e.g. mesalazine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine,
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine
Iron preparations
Magnesium containing antacids
H2-receptor antagonists e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine
Metformin
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. indometacin, mefenamic acid, naproxen
Orlistat
Digoxin
Methlydopa

Descriptions of Medications that Cause Diarrhea
Laxatives	They work either by drawing water into the digestive tract or by causing the muscles of the intestines to contract. However, taking too much of a laxative can cause diarrhea that is an issue. Antacids that have magnesium in them may also cause diarrhea or make it even worse.
Antibiotics	Typically, the intestines have many different bacteria. They keep each other in balance. Antibiotics ruin a few of these bacteria, which allows other types to grow too much. In some cases, antibiotics can allow a kind of bacteria called Clostridium difficile to grow too much. This can result in severe, watery, and frequently bloody diarrhea called pseudomembranous colitis.
Other Medications also might cause diarrhea	Chemotherapy medicines used to treat cancer Drugs used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers, such asomeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (AcipHex), pantoprazole (Protonix), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid). Medicines that suppress the body immune system (such as mycophenolate). NSAIDs used to treat pain and arthritis, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Some organic teas contain senna or other “natural” laxatives that can cause diarrhea. Other vitamins, minerals, or supplements may likewise cause diarrhea.

Prevention

To avoid diarrhea due to antibiotic use, speak with your doctor about taking supplements containing healthy bacteria (probiotics). A few of these products may lower the risk of diarrhea. Keep taking these supplements for a couple of days after you complete your antibiotics.

Information verified by the iytmed.com team.