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Should You Take Probiotics with Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, but they often disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria. This disruption can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea, bloating, and an increased risk of infections like Clostridium difficile. To counteract these effects, many people consider taking probiotics—supplements containing live beneficial bacteria—during antibiotic treatment.
Benefits of Taking Probiotics with Antibiotics
1. Reduces Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
One of the most well-documented benefits of taking probiotics with antibiotics is the reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Multiple studies have shown that taking certain probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii, can reduce the risk of AAD by up to 50%.
One of the most well-documented benefits of taking probiotics with antibiotics is the reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Multiple studies have shown that taking certain probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii, can reduce the risk of AAD by up to 50%.
2. Preserves Gut Microbiome Diversity
Antibiotics can significantly reduce the diversity of your gut bacteria, which can take months or even years to fully recover. Research suggests that probiotics may help maintain this microbial diversity and speed up the restoration of beneficial bacteria populations, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which are critical for gut health.
Antibiotics can significantly reduce the diversity of your gut bacteria, which can take months or even years to fully recover. Research suggests that probiotics may help maintain this microbial diversity and speed up the restoration of beneficial bacteria populations, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which are critical for gut health.
3. Prevents Infections
By restoring healthy gut bacteria, probiotics can also help prevent more serious infections, such as those caused by C. difficile, a bacterium that can overgrow when antibiotics disrupt the gut's normal balance. This makes taking probiotics especially beneficial for people who are at high risk for gastrointestinal complications during antibiotic therapy.
By restoring healthy gut bacteria, probiotics can also help prevent more serious infections, such as those caused by C. difficile, a bacterium that can overgrow when antibiotics disrupt the gut's normal balance. This makes taking probiotics especially beneficial for people who are at high risk for gastrointestinal complications during antibiotic therapy.
How to Take Probiotics with Antibiotics
- Timing: To avoid reducing the effectiveness of the probiotic, it’s best to take it at least two hours after your antibiotic dose. This ensures that the live bacteria in the probiotic aren’t killed by the antibiotic.
- Duration: It's recommended to continue taking probiotics not only during your course of antibiotics but for several weeks afterward to help restore the gut microbiome.
- Choosing the Right Strain: Different strains of probiotics offer varying benefits. For antibiotic-associated issues, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii are some of the most effective strains.
Conclusion
Taking probiotics alongside antibiotics can be highly beneficial in reducing digestive side effects, maintaining gut microbiome diversity, and preventing infections. If you're currently on antibiotics or planning to start a course, consider speaking with your healthcare provider about adding a probiotic supplement.
Curious about your overall gut health? Take our Test to identify any deficiencies and receive a personalized supplement plan to support your digestive system.
Curious about your overall gut health? Take our Test to identify any deficiencies and receive a personalized supplement plan to support your digestive system.
Sources:
- Microbiology Society: "Take Probiotics Alongside Antibiotics to Reduce Damage to Your Gut Microbiome"
- ScienceDaily: "Probiotics with Antibiotics"
- Drugs.com: "Should You Take Probiotics with Antibiotics?"
