Your instructions may include a specific time that you should take the antibiotics so that they will have the least effect on your stomach. Unless the label indicates otherwise, store your antibiotics in a dark, dry place. Some antibiotics may need to be stored in the refrigerator. If so, store your medicine in the fresh food compartment. Never freeze your antibiotics.
Some antibiotics are meant to be taken on an empty stomach. These sorts of antibiotics include ampicillin and tetracycline. You should not take food with these drugs because the food affects the speed at which these medications can act upon your body. If need to take your antibiotics on an empty stomach, it’s best to take them before breakfast, Set an alarm for yourself if you need help remembering. Some antibiotics may cause stomach pain when taken certain foods. For example tetracycline may result in stomach pain when taken with dairy products. To avoid stomach pain when taking tetracycline (or its counterparts, doxycycline and minocycline), stay away from dairy products for the length of time you’re taking the antibiotic.
If you have a hard time remembering if you have already taken your medication for the day, hang a calendar where you keep your medications. When you take your antibiotics for the day, cross the day off on the calendar with a pen. That way, you will not double dose accidentally. Your prescription will be written for the amount of time it will take the antibiotic to fight off the bacterial infection. If you don’t take your antibiotic as prescribed, it’s likely the bacteria that’s left can restart an infection, or the antibiotics may not work as well the next time they’re needed.
Plain, unsweetened yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics or good bacteria. While you normally only have to eat 1 serving of yogurt a day to reap its benefits, consider eating 3 to 5 servings of yogurt a day when you are taking antibiotics to replenish your stores of good bacteria. Look for yogurt that contains live, active culture for best results. Garlic is a good source of prebiotics. Prebiotics provide nourishment for probiotics (found in, for example, yogurt, raw sauerkraut). A serving of 3 large cloves per day may help protect your healthy levels of healthy bacteria (just be aware that this may cause bad breath). Other sources of good bacteria include miso, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir. Cut back on sugar while you are taking the antibiotics. Sugar may lead to bacterial overgrowth. Drinking chicken broth while you are taking antibiotics may also be helpful.
Your doctor may also adjust the dose so that it is less likely that the medication will cause you stomach pain, or he can prescribe antiemetic medication to lessen gastrointestinal upset like nausea or vomiting. Certain antibiotics may cause an allergic reaction. If you start to notice rash or itching when taking a new antibiotic, call your doctor immediately.
Bring water to a boil, then pour over a chamomile tea bag. Cover your teacup or your pot, and allow your tea to steep for 15 to 20 minutes. The longer your tea steeps, the stronger it will be. Add a teaspoon of honey or other sweetener if you like, but the tea itself is quite sweet without additional sweetener.
If you don’t have a hot pack, try filling a clean cloth container (a sock will work) with dried pinto beans or rice. Make sure the container is closed (you can tie it closed, or use a clothespin) and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds (or until the ingredients are warm to the touch). Don’t let the hot pack get too hot. You want it to feel warm against your skin. Find a comfortable place to lie down, where you can balance the hot pack against your stomach. Leave it in place for at least 15 minutes. You may repeat as often as you’d like to.
Make your own rice water by cooking 1/2 cup of rice (plain white rice is fine) with twice the amount of water required - in this case, 1/2 cup of rice should be cooked with 2 cups of water. Bring the rice-water mix to a boil, then turn it down and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Pour rice and water through a sieve, reserving the rice for a bland meal. Catch the rice water in a bowl or kitchen pot. Fill a drinking glass with the rice water, and enjoy the rice water warm. You can add a spoonful of honey if you’d like.
Wash, peel, and roughly chop 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5. 1 cm) of ginger root. Bring 1 to 2 cups of water to a boil, then add your ginger. The more water you use, the more diluted your tea will be; however, if you steep the ginger in the water, your tea will be stronger. Boil for three to five minutes, then allow to steep for three to five minutes more. Remove the ginger tea from the heat, strain out the chunks of ginger, and pour your fresh ginger tea into a mug or teapot. You may add a spoonful of honey or other sweetener if you wish. Some people enjoy a slice of lemon with their hot ginger tea, which may also help with stomach pain.
