{"id":4025,"date":"2019-05-02T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T13:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4025"},"modified":"2026-04-20T16:17:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:17:09","slug":"taking-probiotics-with-antibiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/taking-probiotics-with-antibiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take probiotics with antibiotics?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antibiotics<\/span><\/a> play a critical role in killing bad bacteria. However, as they destroy infections, they can also cause collateral damage by killing the <\/span>good<\/span><\/i> gut bacteria that support immune system function. This could result in diarrhea after starting treatment, which can continue for weeks after you stop taking the medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

You need the health benefits of antibiotic treatment, but, of course, you don\u2019t want the nasty stomach side effects. The answer might be found in <\/span>probiotics<\/span><\/a>, which are live microorganisms that boost gut health. Read on if you\u2019re wondering about the best way to take probiotics with antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

The impact of antibiotics on gut health<\/b><\/h2>\n

Antibiotics are medications that <\/span>fight bacterial infections<\/span>. They work in one of two ways: either by destroying a specific type of bacteria or preventing its growth. Antibiotics achieve these results in several ways. They are usually taken orally but can also be used topically for skin infections or administered intravenously for more serious and systemic bacterial infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because they fight bacteria, antibiotics won\u2019t work for viral infections. They should <\/span>only be taken when necessary<\/span><\/a> to avoid antibiotic resistance, which happens when bacteria adapt to protect themselves from being destroyed by antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do antibiotics upset your stomach?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Researchers<\/span><\/a> have identified a diverse community of about 100 trillion microorganisms and their genetic material that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). This is known as the gut <\/span>microbiome<\/span><\/i> or gut flora. Most of these microorganisms are bacteria but also include fungi, viruses, and protozoa (a type of parasite). Together, they play an <\/span>important role<\/span><\/a> in human health, affecting many bodily processes, including digestion, synthesis of nutrients, and the regulation of metabolism, body weight, and the immune system. It also affects <\/span>brain function and mood<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The microbiome is made up of both beneficial and harmful microbes. The good guys work in symbiosis with the human body, while the bad microbes can promote disease. Usually, the good and bad microbes comprising the microbiome live in balance and can coexist without any issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antibiotic use changes the balance in the gut microbiome, which may result in a decrease in the healthy bacteria and an increase in the harmful bacteria, explains <\/span>Lawrence Hoberman<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antibiotic use can have <\/span>negative effects<\/span><\/a> on the microbiome, such as reduced species diversity and altered metabolic activity. What\u2019s more, antibiotic use can cause antibiotic-related complications such as nausea, diarrhea, and <\/span>Clostridioides difficile infections<\/span><\/a> (also known as C. difficile or C. diff). One study found the <\/span>antibiotics-diarrhea connection impacts between 5% and 39% of patients,<\/span><\/a> depending on which antibiotic they take.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clostridioides difficile is a bad bacteria that is allowed to grow when antibiotics kill the good bacteria. A C diff infection can cause anything from chronic diarrhea to life-threatening colitis with sepsis. It is diagnosed by a stool test and treated with the oral antibiotics <\/span>vancomycin<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>fidaxomicin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should you take probiotics with antibiotics?<\/b><\/h2>\n

If your stomach is upset when taking antibiotics, you likely want to find a way to feel better. <\/span>Probiotics<\/span><\/a> could be the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows that probiotic use can curb digestion problems. <\/span>Taking probiotics<\/span><\/a> during the entire course of antibiotic treatment is an effective way to reduce side effects like antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that <\/span>probiotics reduce instances of AAD by 52%<\/span><\/a>. Probiotics replenish the beneficial bacteria in the gut to prevent disrupting the microbiome\u2019s balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to diminishing antibiotics\u2019 digestive side effects, the use of probiotics can make antibiotics more effective. <\/span>One study<\/span><\/a> found that among 6,000 people with H. pylori infections, supplementing antibiotic therapy with probiotics increased the eradication rate by about 10%, an effect supported by more <\/span>recent research<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why doctors often recommend taking probiotics when you\u2019ve been prescribed antibiotics\u2014just be sure to space out when you take them, so you’re not taking a dose of antibiotic at the same time as a <\/span>probiotic supplement<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When to take probiotics with antibiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

Start taking probiotics daily on the same day you begin your antibiotics, at least two hours apart. \u201cBy waiting two hours, the probiotic or antibiotic level is low in the intestines,\u201d Dr. Hoberman says. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any difference which is taken first, as long as it\u2019s separated by two hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The specific dosage will vary depending on the product you use. Still, a typical probiotic dose <\/span>ranges between<\/span><\/a> 10 to 20 billion colony-forming units per day for adults and 5-10 billion colony-forming units per day for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue taking probiotics for at least a week after your course of antibiotics ends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which probiotics should you take with antibiotics?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your pharmacy probably has shelves filled with different bottles of probiotic supplements, which can make it difficult to know which one to take. Common strains include Lactobacillus, <\/span>Saccharomyces boulardii<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Acidophilis<\/span><\/a>. The <\/span>American Family Physician<\/span><\/a> says to look for the three D\u2019s: diversity, dose, and delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

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