I've been having this pain on the left side of my butt for over a month now and even after visiting the doctor, who said it'll be fine and gave me some painkillers, it's still there. I decided to get an MRI and CT scan, but those came back normal too. Now it's super frustrating because in the last five days, I've started feeling this sharp pain on my right side as well. Plus, I've been needing to pee a lot more often. Could all these be connected somehow? I'm seriously worried and just want to find out what might be going on.

Dr Shubham Chauhan

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 4+ Yrs

Consult Now

Azithral Side Effects: Diarrhea and Bloody Mucus in Stool

Given your symptoms, it's essential to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

Possible Causes:

1. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Azithral (azithromycin) can cause diarrhea, especially when taken for an extended period.
2. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection: Antibiotics like azithromycin can disrupt the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of C. diff infection, which can cause diarrhea and bloody stools.
3. Other gastrointestinal issues: Underlying gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be exacerbated by antibiotics.

Recommendations:

1. _Consult your doctor*: Immediately inform your doctor about the diarrhea and bloody mucus in your stool. They may recommend:
   • Stopping the antibiotic and switching to an alternative treatment
   • Continuing the antibiotic with close monitoring of your symptoms
   • Adding medications to manage diarrhea and prevent dehydration
2. _Fluid replacement*: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, clear broths, or electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water or sports drinks, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
3. _Stool tests*: Your doctor may order stool tests to check for C. diff infection or other gastrointestinal pathogens.

Important Notes:

1. _Don't stop antibiotics without consulting your doctor*: Stopping antibiotics abruptly can lead to treatment failure, antibiotic resistance, or worsening of the underlying infection.
2. _Seek medical attention if*: You experience severe diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain, fever above 101.5F (38.6C), or signs of dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dark urine, or decreased urine output.

Answered 04/07/2025