Stop taking the antibiotics
If your case is mild – diarrhea 3-5 times a day you will probably find that the symptoms stop after you finish the course of antibiotics you have been taking.
Get tested to clarify what strain you have
If your symptoms continue you may need to get tested. There are many different strains of c.difficile. The NAP1 or 027 strain is often caught in hospital and is much more destructive than other strains. A test will help ensure the right antibiotic treatment for your strain.
C Diff Treatment – Flaygl
The common and least expensive drug used is Flagyl (metronidazole). This is effective against mild to moderate strains. For many people this c diff treatment works and it goes away after 7-14 days. About 20% of the patients are not cured and more powerful drugs must be used. Find out more at our detailed Flagyl page
C Diff Treatment – Vancocin
This is the oral form of the common vancomycin drug used for many other conditions. It takes the medication directly to the infected area and is effective for many patients. It is more expensive and is also usually reserved for the worst cases, so that strains vulnerable to one of the drugs of ‘last resort’ do not develop. There is a concern that it subdues c.difficile rather than killing it. Recent research is also suggesting that it is a short term cure and makes the gut more liable to more c difficile and other infections. Find out more at our Vancocin page. Some hospitals use a Flaygl/Vancocin combination to treat c.difficile.
Dificid – Fidaxomicin
This a a newer drug that targets a specific aspect of the c.difficile bacteria. It does less damage to the rest of the stomach flora and those treated with it are less likely to have further infections. It is very expensive. Find out more at our Fidaxomicin page
C Diff Treatment – Fecal transplants (FMT)
The treatment of last resort is a fecal microbiota transplant. This therapy involves placing specially treated fecal matter from a relative or carefully chosen donor inside the intestine of a sufferer is also being used. The evidence so far indicates that for many it ends their chronic C Diff infections. Find out more about fecal transplants here .