PATIENTS > Medication side effects > Diarrhea

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Anti-cancer medications can affect the cells lining the intestine, which leads to diarrhea (loose/watery bowel movements). Your doctor may prescribe antidiarrhea medication for severe cases, but do not take any over-the-counter medication for diarrhea without asking your doctor first.

It's important to replace the fluids lost through diarrhea by consuming clear caffeine-free fluids such as:

• Apple juices
• Clear broth
• Ginger ale
• Sports drinks (Gatorade®, for instance)
• Water
• Weak, decaffeinated tea
• Popsicles®
• Jello-O®

When drinking beverages, keep in mind that:

• Your drinks might prove more tolerable if they are at room temperature
• Allow carbonated drinks to lose their "fizz" before drinking
• Sip beverages throughout the day

Foods and drinks to avoid

These foods and beverages can irritate an upset digestive system:

• Tomato juices, citrus juices, fizzy soft drinks and other acidic drinks
• Alcohol, including beer, wine and mixed drinks
• Dried fruit
• Caffeine-laden drinks such as coffee, caffeinated tea and colas
• Greasy, fried, spicy or sweet foods
• High-fiber foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, nuts, seeds, popcorn and vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli
• Milk and assorted products
• Raw vegetables

Foods that are easy to digest

A diet consisting of ripe bananas, rice, applesauce and white-bread toast is easy for most people to tolerate. Often called BRAT, these foods are a step up from clear liquids.

Other foods that are easy to digest:

• Canned, peeled fruits
• Farina and Cream of Wheat®
• Mashed or baked potatoes without skin
• Noodles
• Plain pasta
• Rice
• Scrambled eggs
• Smooth peanut butter
• Well-cooked vegetables
• White-meat chicken or turkey without the skin
• Yogurt

When to call the doctor

The American Cancer Society recommends calling the doctor if you:

• Have six or more loose bowel movements with no improvements in symptoms in two days
• See blood in the stool or blood in or around the anus
• Lose five pounds or more after the diarrhea starts
• Have new abdominal pain or cramps for two days or more
• Have not urinated for 12 hours or more
• Experience a fever of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, when taking your temperature by mouth
• Grow a puffy or swollen belly
• Have been constipated for several days and then begin to have a small amount of diarrhea or oozing of liquid stool; those signs could indicate severe constipation

Always follow your doctor's instructions about when to call with your concerns.

Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.