Diarrhea, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you think your diarrhea may be caused by a medicine?

See significance of medicines if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Did your diarrhea start after an increase in a dose of medicine or after taking a new medicine?

Note:

Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine if you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary. If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.

Yes

Did your diarrhea start after starting treatment with an antibiotic?

Yes

Did your diarrhea start within 2 weeks of stopping treatment with an antibiotic?

Yes

Do you think your diarrhea may be caused by a medicine you take regularly, such as lithium or digoxin?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	April 28, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer