diarrea from antibiotics

Both of my girls are on Omnicef right now for ear infections. It's giving both of them diarrea. This is NOT cool since they are expected to wear pretty (poop-free) dresses this weekend for my sister's wedding. It's gross, and it doesn't' smell. I remember last time when Morgan had this, I would change her for nap time and she woudl just be soaked (diaper) with diarrea. I felt horrible for not knowing, but it's not like "illness" diarhea that would gag you.

Dh got Reagan up from her nap today and said her bed was wet with non-smelly diarrhea.

What can I do for this to help them? Should I not give milk or juice? If it's being caused by the meds, that won't make it go away.

HELP! Is there anything I can do for them?

 

The last time one of my kids took Omnicef, the doctor said to ask for acidophilus (sp?) at the pharmacy in powder form and add some to their food. Acidophilus is the stuff in yogurt -- the good bacteria that your intestines need to be healthy. I never got any because they didn't get diarreah that time. Just thought I'd pass it along.

 

Yogurt would be something good to give them. It helps restore the good bacteria that the antibiotic also kills. My kids have also been on the acidophillus for it.

 

No, and Omnicef is the worst for doing this. Non-smelly, usually red or orange diarrhea is what you get. There's hardly anything solid about it too. Be super careful because this particular stuff is bad about causing diarrhea-related rashes. Take all measures to protect their bottoms while on it. There is nothing that can be done to prevent it. It's a side effect of the Omnicef and not an allergic reaction as some people have mistaken it to be before. Basically, you'll have to live with it until the 10 day therapy is finished. Lactobacillus acidophilus is also an option. Since it's a probiotic, it helps restore the good bacteria to the body which the antibiotic kills off and, as a result, SHOULD help with the diarrhea, but isn't guaranteed. We keep it in the fridge at our pharmacy and should be available to you without a prescription. Consult your local pharmacist.

 

This happened with my girls too. Omnicef works great but the big D it creates is horrible especially since it doens't smell. I tried to up their calcium intake to fix this. After nap time I would give the girls drinkable yogurt in their sippies and then give milk for dinner. I usually got the YoBaby brand but I know Horizon makes drinkable yogurt too. So in one day, the would get close to 18oz of milk, 6oz of drinkable yogurt, 4oz of regualar yogurt and cheese with lunch. I would just try and give anything and everything that would help to bind them up a little.

The second time they were on Omnicef I started the drinkable yogurt as soon as they started the med and the big D was not as bad.

I also tried putting plastic potty training pants over the diaper to try and stop the leaking the second time they were on the med too but I was able to keep the big D undercontrol better since I started the yogurt so early.

 

I called the pedi office and they said to try Florastor (powder stuff in food and drink).

thanks for the other advice ladies...I had forgotten about yogurt!

 

QUOTE(twinzmom2b @ Jul 12 2007, 07:29 PM) [snapback]328256[/snapback]
I called the pedi office and they said to try Florastor (powder stuff in food and drink).

thanks for the other advice ladies...I had forgotten about yogurt!


Yep, Florastor is another probiotic. Good luck! Let us know how well it works out.

 

Thank you so much for this thread as Nick is on Omnicef right now for an ear infection and we are having the same diarrhea. He has gotten a rash and we are leaving for a 13 hour car ride next week. I will have to look into this probiotic. Do they carry it any pharmacy? You can get it without a prescription?

 

Another product is called Culturelle. It is over the counter. We have used it a couple times when my girls have had problems from antibiotics and it woeked great. Its spendy, like $20 for 30 capsules, but it usually worked within a few days, so it will hppefully last for awhile. You just open the capsule and mix it into yogurt or applesauce.

 

Here's wishing you a Poop Free Dresses for the :drinks: wedding!!!!

Have fun and let us know how the singing and stuff goes!!!

 

Don't forget the B.R.A.T diet too....bananas, rice, apples (or applesauce-no apple juice), and toast...they are all binding foods and hopefully will get their poop closer to normal....along with the other ideas maybe you will have a poop free or less of it day! Good luck!

 

QUOTE(jacob+twinsmom @ Jul 13 2007, 01:04 AM) [snapback]328727[/snapback]
Thank you so much for this thread as Nick is on Omnicef right now for an ear infection and we are having the same diarrhea. He has gotten a rash and we are leaving for a 13 hour car ride next week. I will have to look into this probiotic. Do they carry it any pharmacy? You can get it without a prescription?



Yes, and yes. I HIGHLY recommend globs of original Desitin coated on that bumm for that car ride.

 

I have used the FLORASTOR with good results. Here I can get it from the pharmacy with out a prescription. Anytime you or your kids take an antibiotic you should also take a pro-biotic.
Hope the girls are feeling better soon.

 

It may be too late for this to help for the wedding - but call your pedi & ask if they can be switched to another antibiotic. There are plenty on the market that are less likely to cause diarrhea.