Chronic Diarrhea: Causes, Management, and Medication Links

When chronic diarrhea, persistent loose or watery stools lasting more than four weeks. Also known as long-term diarrhea, it's not just a passing bug—it's a signal your body is reacting to something deeper. Unlike sudden stomach bugs that clear in days, chronic diarrhea sticks around, often linked to medications, digestive disorders, or how your body processes certain drugs. Many people assume it’s just diet-related, but the truth is, a surprising number of cases trace back to prescription or over-the-counter drugs you’re already taking.

Take SSRI antidepressants, a class of medications used to treat depression and anxiety. Also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, they’re widely prescribed—but up to 20% of users report diarrhea as a side effect, especially in the first few weeks. Sertraline, for example, is one of the most common culprits. It’s not just about feeling queasy—it’s about your gut’s serotonin receptors getting overstimulated, speeding up digestion. This isn’t rare. In fact, one study showed that people on sertraline were three times more likely to develop ongoing diarrhea than those on a placebo. The good news? For most, it fades after 4–6 weeks. But if it doesn’t, switching meds or adjusting your diet can make a big difference.

Then there’s medication-induced hypertension, high blood pressure triggered by certain drugs. Also known as drug-induced high blood pressure, it’s not directly linked to diarrhea—but it shares a key trait: many of the same drugs that raise blood pressure also mess with your gut. NSAIDs, steroids, and even some antibiotics can cause both. Why? Because they irritate the lining of your intestines or alter your gut bacteria. That’s why people on long-term prednisone or frequent ibuprofen often report stomach upset alongside other side effects. It’s not coincidence—it’s biology.

You might not think of milk thistle, a herbal supplement often used for liver support. Also known as silymarin, it’s popular among people trying to detox or protect their liver from medications. But here’s the catch: it can interfere with how your body breaks down drugs. If you’re taking something metabolized by the liver—like statins, antidepressants, or even some antibiotics—milk thistle might slow that process down, causing drug buildup. That buildup can trigger or worsen diarrhea. It’s not always obvious, and most people don’t connect the dots between their supplement and their gut.

What ties all this together? Your gut doesn’t work in isolation. It’s affected by what you take, how you take it, and how your body reacts over time. Chronic diarrhea isn’t something to ignore or tough out. It’s a clue. And in many cases, the answer isn’t in a new diet plan or probiotic—it’s in your medication list. A pharmacist can help you spot the hidden triggers: drug interactions, dosage timing, or even combo pills that pack more than one side effect into one tablet.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical advice from people who’ve been there—from managing sertraline-induced diarrhea with ginger and meal timing, to realizing their daily supplement was making things worse. You’ll learn how to talk to your doctor without sounding paranoid, how to track what’s triggering your symptoms, and which medications are most likely to cause long-term gut issues. No fluff. Just what works.