Medications as a Cause of Stomach Problems

Just about any medications, herbs, and supplements can cause indigestion or constipation. It just depends on a person's makeup: Their gut biome, their metabolism, and sometimes even certain underlying conditions: What one person tolerates, another cannot.

If you develop stomach problems and have just recently started on a medication, consider the possibility that the new medication may be causing it. If you have an intolerance to a medication, stomach symptoms typically begin within one day to several weeks.

Some of the more common medications that cause stomach problems are mentioned in the following:

MEDICATION AS A CAUSE OF DIARRHEA

Most medications have the potential to cause diarrhea (just look at the side effect profile). Some are more likely to cause this than others. For example, Metformin, a diabetic medication, is known to do this (diarrhea usually goes away after several days); chemotherapy commonly causes diarrhea, and there are others. If you are unable to tolerate your medicines, speak to a healthcare provider who may be able to provide a substitute or symptomatic relief.

• Antibiotics (any antibiotics can do this, but especially true of oral erythromycin, clarithromycin [Biaxin], and "amox-clav" [Augmentin])

• Laxatives

• Metformin (for type 2 diabetes)

• Chemotherapy

• Magnesium

• Some osteoporosis medicines (biphosphonates)

• Medicines for heartburn and GERD (Protein pump inhibitors [PPIs], occasionally Tagamet and Pepcid, and also some antacids.

• Blood pressure medications (beta blockers - Usually those ending in "olols" and ACE inhibitors - usually those ending in "pril")

• Immunosuppressants

• Antidepressants

• NSAIDS

• Colchicine (for gout)

• Some herbs, supplements, and vitamins

• Diabetes/weight loss medications (GLP-1s) i.e., Ozempic, Mounjaro

Medication

MEDICATIONS AS A CAUSE OF CONSTIPATION

•   Antacids

•   Calcium

•   Pain pills (opioids and sometimes over-the-counter pain medicines, like NSAIDS)

•   Calcium channel blockers (blood pressure)

•   Some antidepressants

•   Anti-Parkinson's medication

•   Some antidepressants

•   Iron

•   Several incontinence medications

•   Antihistamines

•   The popular diabetes/weight loss drugs – Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy-can also cause nausea as well

  Just to name a few!

If you think you may be on a medication, herb, or supplement that may be causing unwanted gastrointestinal side effects, call your healthcare provider ASAP or speak to a pharmacist about the problem and about possibly getting a substitute. If things are unbearable, you have a lot of pain, or if you cannot keep fluids down, you need to talk to someone right away. If it is on a weekend and you cannot reach your provider, go to urgent care.

For more information about other side effects from medications, see "Medication Side Effects and Interactions."