Drug-induced diarrhea

Alternative names:

diarrhea associated with drugs

Definition:

Diarrhea may be produced by many mechanisms. Some medications produce diarrhea. Certain laxatives produce diarrhea by drawing water into the gut, others by increasing motility (muscular contraction of the intestine and others by lubricating the lining of the gut or a combination of effects. Antibiotics may produce diarrhea by destroying the normal bacterial flora (inhabitants) of the intestine. Other drugs may be toxic to the colon. Any diarrhea produced by drugs is a drug-induced diarrhea, but the diarrhea is of concern when it is a side effect or complication of the drug rather than a wanted effect.