Abstract

The gastrointestinal complications of broad spectrum antibiotics include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence and anal and perianal itch. These may vary from trivial disturbances to severe and even fatal reactions. Oral side effects include sore tongue, angular stomatitis and discolouration of the teeth. The frequency and severity of side effects increase with increase in dose and duration of treatment, and elderly or sick patients are more susceptible than others.