2 year old on Amoxicillin...Need Advice?

Question

My 2 year old has an ear infection and viral phneumonia. She started Amoxicillin yesterday morning. She, now, has diahhrea. It's not bad,
just 3 or 4 times today. Her fever is way down and she isn't coughing as much. She is also eating better and drinking better.
She also isn't throwing up mucus as much.
I'm giving her pedialyte.
Should I be worried enough to go to the emergency room or is this normal for children on antibiotics ?

Answer 1

Amoxicillin is really hard on the stomach and your little one will have diarrhea. It sucks. Make sure she has lots of pedialyte and water but this is normal. Also try bananas and potatoes (they are binding and will help harden the stool some).
Watch her carefully (sounds like you are).
IF her limbs are lax, she is less responsive or clumsier than usual, she could be severely dehydrated and you should take her to the emergency room.
If her diarrhea lasts for longer than 2-3 days after she finishes her course of treatment, see your doctor again.

Answer 2

I sympathize! My daughter (baby no 2) was constantly fighting some bug - the amoxicillin made her tummy upset too~ if it's not one thing, it's another! my son (baby no 1) took to the antibiotics much better than his sister, although I always try to refrain from the antibiotics until it's absolutely neccessary. Ear Infection & Viral Phneumonia - poor thing! Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

The diarrhea is normal, I'd skip the ER, and finish out the antibiotics. Although I'd ask the doc why she has antiBIOTICS for a viral infection. That's usually preserved for bacterial infections. Viral infections usually take 24 to 48 hours to start clearing up on their own.

Answer 4

When our 2-year-old granddaughter has taken amoxicillin, sometimes she gets diarrhea the first couple of days, just a side effect of the medicine usually.
The most important thing is to stay on the medicine for the whole 10 days even when she feels better, to chase out the bacteria completely. And our liquid had to stay refrigerated.
Luckily our little one likes to take it!
Just make sure you don't overdo going to the doctor -- their immune system needs to work naturally, too.

Answer 5

My son had LOTS of ear infections and the accompanying antibiotics, which I always swore made him feel worse than the actual ear infection! Our pediatrician, who's an osteopath, recommended feeding him acidophilus and another probiotic culture (can't remember the name, but it's widely available at health food stores) mixed in his applesauce to avoid diarrhea. It worked -- NO poop problems whatsoever, although we did have to contend with really bad diaper rash. If she gets the diaper rash, your pediatrician can probably recommend an over the counter antifungal cream; if you use it with a calendula oil (such as Weleda) mixed with aloe vera, it does wonders for soothing the diaper area!

Answer 6

Diarrhea from antibiotics is normal, even with adults. If she has it for more than a few days, I'd call the doc to check, but she's most likely fine.

Answer 7

Our son is the same way when he is on amoxicillin. He gets diarrhea and also gets a really bad rash. We just give him him plenty of fluids and use Balmex Clear Protective Ointment.

Answer 8

Can you feed her yogurt? I've heard the active cultures in it help prevent diarrhea AND yeast infection (which are both prominent side effects of Amoxil)

Otherwise, give her pedialite!

Answer 9

See if she'll eat yogurt also. The medicine can kill the good bacteria and the diaper rash can turn into a yeast infection. The yogurt can help prevent this.

Answer 10

this is normal. my kids went through the same thing. it is a side effect and nothing to be concerned about. Keep giving her the amox. until it is all gone, or the virus will come back. if you have concerns, talk to ur pediatrician