Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause abdominal
pain by irritating the stomach lining, which can cause heartburn or ulcerlike
symptoms. Medicines that may cause these symptoms include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as:
- Aspirin.
- Ibuprofen, such as
Advil.
- Naproxen sodium, such as Anaprox.
- Alcohol.
Other medicines can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, or
constipation. Medicines that may cause these symptoms include:
- Antidiarrheals, which can cause constipation and
abdominal cramping.
- Laxatives, which can cause diarrhea and
abdominal cramping.
- Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin,
tetracycline, cefuroxime, erythromycin, and clindamycin, which can cause
abdominal cramping and burning pain.
- Iron supplements, which can
cause constipation, burning pain, and black stools.
- Mylanta or
Maalox, which can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
Your health professional may be able to prescribe other medicines if
you are having abdominal pain caused by a medicine. There also may be ways to
take a medicine that will decrease the chance that it will cause abdominal
pain.
