Patients shouldn’t use antidiarrheals when they’re taking an antibiotic.

It depends on the likelihood that the diarrhea is due to Clostridium difficile.

Prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhea is usually a better option. Suggest probiotics to help prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Tell patients to take probiotics two hours AFTER each antibiotic dose...and continue for up to a week afterwards.

If antibiotic-related diarrhea does develop, explain that most cases don’t need to be treated with meds. It’s better to encourage fluids and electrolyte replacement as needed...and stop the antibiotic if that’s not enough.