Caring for Your Digestive System and Bowels While Taking Antibiotics – Especially in Hot Weath

Antibiotics are powerful medications that fight bacterial infections, but they can also wreak havoc on your digestive system and bowels. 

Add in the challenges of very hot weather, and you’ve got a perfect storm for dehydration, tummy troubles and fatigue. If you're taking antibiotics this summer, here's how to protect your gut and stay as comfortable and healthy as possible.

Why Antibiotics Affect Your Digestive System

Antibiotics don’t just target the bad bacteria causing your infection, they can also disrupt the good bacteria in your gut. 

This imbalance may lead to:

Bloating

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Loss of appetite

Thrush (oral or intestinal)

Maintaining a healthy digestive system while on antibiotics is crucial to help your body recover and reduce side effects.

The Added Risk of Hot Weather

High temperatures can make everything worse. Hot weather increases your risk of:

Dehydration, especially if you have diarrhoea or aren’t eating much

Loss of electrolytes, which can upset your stomach even more

Heat exhaustion, which may feel worse if your digestive system is already irritated

Top Tips to Support Your Gut During Antibiotic Treatment in Hot Weather

1. Stay Hydrated – but Do It Right

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty.

Use oral rehydration salts (ORS) if you’re experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting.

Coconut water or drinks with electrolytes (low in sugar) can help too.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you further.

2. Eat Light, Gut-Friendly Meals

Choose easy-to-digest, nourishing foods such as:

Plain boiled rice

Steamed vegetables

Skinless chicken or fish

Oats, bananas and plain yoghurt

Avoid heavy, spicy or fried foods that can irritate your stomach.

Eat smaller meals more often rather than large portions.

3. Take Probiotics or Eat Fermented Foods

Probiotics can help restore the healthy bacteria in your gut.

Look for live yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut or kimchi.

You can also take a probiotic supplement (check it's suitable to take alongside your antibiotics).

Take probiotics a few hours apart from your antibiotic dose.

4. Keep Cool to Support Your Whole System

Stay in the shade or indoors during peak heat (11am–3pm).

Use fans, damp cloths and cool showers to keep your body temperature down.

Dress in loose, breathable clothing.

5. Keep Moving – Gently

Light movement like stretching or walking helps support digestion.

Avoid strenuous exercise, especially in high heat.

When to Seek Medical Advice

You have persistent or severe diarrhoea (especially if there’s blood or mucus).

You're experiencing signs of dehydration – dry mouth, dizziness, dark urine or confusion.

You develop a rash, severe stomach cramps or new symptoms.

Your symptoms worsen or don't improve after a few days of antibiotics.

Caring for your gut during a course of antibiotics is always important – but even more so during hot weather. With a little extra attention to hydration, food choices and your body's signals, you can protect your digestive system and avoid the worst side effects.

Stay cool, stay nourished, and don’t hesitate to speak to your pharmacist or GP if you're worried, or call 111.