14 Medications That May Cause Diarrhea

Most diarrhea will resolve by itself without any treatment within 2 weeks. This can include diarrhea from causes such as gastroenteritis (a stomach bug) or food-borne illness.

If your diarrhea is hanging on and not resolving, take a look at your medications. Many medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Notable examples include antibiotics, metformin, and Ozempic (semaglutide).

It can be challenging to identify which medication may be causing diarrhea, especially if you’re taking multiple medications. Here are 14 well-known medications that are associated with diarrhea.

1. Antibiotics

Up to 35% of people taking antibiotics can have diarrhea as a side effect. This can happen within a few hours of treatment, or even up to 2 months after starting it. 

Certain antibiotics have a higher chance of causing diarrhea. These include: 

• Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate)

• Cephalosporins, such as cephalexin

• Clindamycin (Cleocin)

Diarrhea from antibiotics may continue for the entire time you’re taking the medication. It’ll likely resolve on its own after you finish taking the medication. In the meantime, consider these tips to help manage diarrhea from antibiotics:

• Take your doses with food. (Check with a pharmacist first, though. Some antibiotics are best taken on an empty stomach.)

• Take a probiotic supplement while you’re taking the antibiotic.

• Stay hydrated, especially if your loose stools are persistent.

• Eat bland foods for a few days.

• Ask your prescriber if you can safely take an over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D).

If your diarrhea is severe or you develop a fever with it, tell your prescriber. These can be symptoms of a severe type of diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridioides difficile (or C. diff). This type of antibiotic-related diarrhea requires a different type of treatment and, in severe cases, care in a hospital.

2. Metformin

Metformin is a common medication prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes. It’s often a first-choice treatment.

Many people who take metformin experience diarrhea. It’s the most common side effect of this medication. It’s also common to have bloating, gas, or stomach discomfort. Diarrhea from metformin should improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

When you first start taking metformin, your prescriber should have you start with a low dose. This helps limit diarrhea and other gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. And be sure to take your doses with food. Switching to the extended-release version of metformin — metformin ER (Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet) — can also help manage diarrhea.

3. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Zoloft

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a commonly prescribed group of antidepressants. Examples of medications in this class are:

• Zoloft (sertraline)

• Lexapro (escitalopram)

• Prozac (fluoxetine)

• Celexa (citalopram)

• Paxil (paroxetine)

Diarrhea is a common SSRI side effect. But it should improve or stop as your body gets used to the medication. In the meantime, stay well hydrated and try taking your doses with food. You can also ask your healthcare team if you can safely take OTC antidiarrheals.

If your diarrhea doesn’t seem to improve over time, tell your prescriber. They may suggest adjusting your dose or switching medications. Some people tolerate one SSRI better than others.

4. GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic

GLP-1 receptor agonists are helpful options for managing Type 2 diabetes and losing weight, among other benefits. This group of medications includes:

• Ozempic

• Wegovy (semaglutide)

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

• Zepbound (tirzepatide)

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

• Saxenda (liraglutide)

• Victoza (liraglutide)

While GLP-1 receptor agonists work well, they commonly cause diarrhea and other GI side effects. Many people find that these are most bothersome right after starting a GLP-1 or raising the dose. Diarrhea and other GI side effects should get better after your body adjusts to the medication.

When starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it’s important to follow the dose schedule your prescriber gives you. You should start with a low dose and gradually increase it (called dose titration). Starting with a higher dose or raising it too soon may lead to more side effects.

There are tips that can help you manage diarrhea and other digestive GLP-1 side effects, such as:

• Drinking plenty of water or other hydrating fluids

• Eating smaller meals

• Choosing gentle or bland foods when side effects seem to be more bothersome

• Limiting greasy, spicy, or fatty foods, which can worsen diarrhea

• Avoiding or limiting alcohol

Tell your prescriber if it seems like your diarrhea is persistent or doesn’t improve over time. They may have additional tips to help you manage it. They may also suggest lowering your dose, slowing down your dose titration, or trying a different GLP-1 receptor agonist.

5. Beta blockers

Beta blockers are medications that treat many heart conditions, including high blood pressure and heart failure. Common examples of beta blockers include:

• Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)

• Atenolol (Tenormin)

• Carvedilol (Coreg)

Diarrhea is a possible side effect of beta blockers. But most of the time, if you have diarrhea and you’re taking a beta blocker, the medication isn’t causing this symptom. It’s more likely that there’s another cause for your diarrhea, such as an infection.

If you experience diarrhea while taking a beta blocker, tell your prescriber. They can determine the most likely cause and help you address it. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated and avoid foods or drinks that could worsen diarrhea.

6. ACE inhibitors and ARBs

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly prescribed blood pressure medications. Examples of ACE inhibitors include lisinopril (Zestril, Qbrelis) and benazepril (Lotensin). Popular ARBs include losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan).

Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs can cause diarrhea. But it’s not a common side effect. The management tips discussed above can also help with diarrhea from these medications. Tell your prescriber if this side effect is too bothersome or at-home tips don’t help.

If you experience severe diarrhea along with weight loss, tell your prescriber right away. Rarely, the ARB olmesartan (Benicar) can cause a complication called sprue-like enteropathy. This is a condition that causes severe, chronic diarrhea and significant weight loss. Researchers believe that other ARBs could potentially cause this side effect, too. Severe diarrhea can be dangerous and should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

7. Acid reducers

Several types of acid reducers can cause diarrhea, including:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole (Prilosec)

• Histamine-2 (H2) blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC)

• Antacids that contain magnesium, such as Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone)

Diarrhea can be common with acid reducers. And it may happen the entire time you’re taking these medications. Stay hydrated and follow the diarrhea management tips discussed earlier. If your diarrhea is too bothersome or seems excessive, tell a healthcare professional. They may suggest trying a different acid reducer to see if you tolerate it better.

If you’re taking a PPI, seek immediate medical help if you develop severe diarrhea with a fever. Long-term use of PPIs raises your risk of developing C. diff diarrhea. This infection is serious and sometimes requires treatment in a hospital.

8. Digoxin

Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a heart rhythm medication that can be used for heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Diarrhea and other GI side effects are fairly common. But it’s still good to let your prescriber know if you experience them. They may want you to go for blood work to have your digoxin levels checked.

Diarrhea can be an early sign that your digoxin dose may be too high. Digoxin toxicity can cause many different symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. And if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications.

9. Colchicine

Colchicine (Colcrys, Lodoco, Mitigare) is a medication used to treat gout. Diarrhea is one of its most common side effects.

This side effect is typically manageable, and most cases resolve on their own within a few days. In the meantime, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and follow the management tips discussed above. You can also ask your healthcare team if it’s OK for you to take an OTC antidiarrheal.

If your diarrhea doesn’t seem to let up or seems severe, tell your prescriber. They may make adjustments to your colchicine dosage.

10. Lithium

Lithium (Lithobid) is a medication that can help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder. Diarrhea is a possible side effect of lithium. But it’s not common. If you experience it, tell your prescriber. They may want to check your lithium levels.

You could experience diarrhea if your lithium dose is too high (lithium toxicity). If this is the case, your prescriber would need to make dose adjustments. Lithium toxicity can be life-threatening, especially if left unchecked.

11. Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid) is a synthetic thyroid hormone that treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). Diarrhea is a possible side effect of levothyroxine. But it likely means that your dose is too high.

Let your prescriber know if you develop diarrhea while taking levothyroxine. They may want to check your thyroid levels and adjust your dosage accordingly. In the meantime, stay hydrated and follow the diarrhea self-care tips discussed above.

12. Gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a cholesterol medication. Diarrhea is one of the medication’s more common side effects. But it’s generally mild and manageable.

As mentioned, drinking plenty of water is important if you’re having diarrhea. And try to avoid foods that make diarrhea worse, such as spicy or greasy foods. You can also ask your healthcare team if you can safely take an OTC antidiarrheal. 

If these tips don’t seem to help, tell your prescriber. They may have additional tips for you. They may also suggest dosage or medication changes.

13. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important vitamin for the body. It helps regulate inflammation and aids in iron absorption. When taking it at recommended doses, most people don’t experience any side effects with vitamin C. But taking high doses (2,000 mg per day or more) can cause GI side effects, including diarrhea.

If this side effect happens, take a look at the dose you’re taking. If it’s more than 2,000 mg per day, consider taking a break until your diarrhea lets up. GI side effects are reversible if you stop taking vitamin C. Once your bowel movements return to normal, you can restart the supplement at a lower dose.

It’s a good idea to discuss the vitamins and supplements you’re taking with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Like other medications, these products have side effects and risks. A healthcare professional can help you decide which ones are appropriate for you and recommend a safe dose.

14. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications that help relieve pain and inflammation. Common examples of NSAIDs are:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

• Diclofenac (Cataflam, Cambia)

• Meloxicam

Because of how they work, NSAIDs can be tough on the digestive system. Side effects, such as diarrhea and heartburn, are common. Taking your doses with food can help limit digestive issues.

If you notice black or bloody stools, seek medical help. These are potential signs of intestinal bleeding, a serious NSAID side effect.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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