{"id":57136,"date":"2023-02-16T09:30:25","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T14:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57136"},"modified":"2025-09-12T10:17:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T14:17:06","slug":"counseling-patients-on-probiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/counseling-patients-on-probiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"How to counsel patients on probiotics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The probiotics industry contributes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">billions of dollars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the U.S. economy each year. With that being said, patients may look to purchase probiotics on their own accord or under the direction of their healthcare provider. Although they\u2019re not usually regulated by the FDA and the guidelines for their use are relatively scarce, probiotics have been shown to have several health benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of the reason a patient may want to take a probiotic, pharmacists are crucial for educating patients about potential uses, safety concerns, and choosing the best option. In some cases, patients may not be aware of how probiotics can be helpful for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this post can help equip you with the knowledge to help patients make informed decisions about their probiotic use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"understanding-probiotics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding probiotics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/nutritionsource\/microbiome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gut microbiome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may play a role in overall health and bodily functions. Numerous microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, and they often coexist in harmony. Different things can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut, including infections, diet, and the use of antibiotics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics are live organisms that, in sufficient amounts, may help improve the overall health of the person consuming them, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/isappscience.org\/for-scientists\/resources\/probiotics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Probiotics generally consist of different strains of bacteria, although they can also contain yeasts. The most common types of bacteria found in probiotics include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. Probiotics may also contain certain types of yeast, such as Saccharomyces boulardii.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics are typically found in fermented foods, such as yogurt and kombucha. Some foods may have added probiotics. However, the health benefits of the probiotics in these foods can vary depending on which microorganisms they contain and whether they can survive in the gastrointestinal tract.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients who come to the pharmacy may instead be looking for probiotics in the form of a dietary supplement. Probiotics can come in the form of capsules, powders, and liquids. They can contain a mix of various microorganisms. The label usually indicates the amount of probiotics in the product, which is measured in colony forming units (CFUs).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/talk-to-patients-about-supplements\/\"><b>How to talk to your patients about supplements<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"probiotic-uses\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotic uses<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics are commonly used to improve or restore gut health, but they have also been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Probiotics-HealthProfessional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">studied for various other potential health benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Research suggests that probiotics may have benefits for the treatment or prevention of certain health conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, infectious diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some evidence shows that probiotics may help reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis. Healthcare providers may recommend probiotics for patients who are taking antibiotics, as studies suggest that starting a probiotic within a couple of days of starting an antibiotic may help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Probiotics may also help relieve certain symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other benefits of probiotics may include reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as greater weight reductions in patients who are obese or overweight. More research, however, is needed to confirm the findings on these benefits of probiotics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/probiotics-do-they-work\/\"><b>Probiotics 101<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"counseling-patients-on-probiotics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Counseling patients on probiotics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics are unlikely to cause harm in most patients. Some patients may be concerned about the potential side effects and other safety concerns. However, the side effects of probiotics are generally mild and include gas, bloating, and an upset stomach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients who are immunocompromised may need to avoid the use of probiotics. In general, immunocompromised patients are more prone to infections, so it\u2019s best to use caution in these patients. There is not <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/26287986\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enough evidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to suggest that probiotics are safe in immunocompromised patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different probiotic strains may have different effects on the body. Patients should choose the strain that has the most benefits for their specific needs. Pharmacists can also counsel patients on taking probiotics on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before a meal for maximum benefits. As for storage, probiotics should be stored according to the instructions on the label, such as in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3459241\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug interactions involving probiotics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are possible. Pharmacists can educate patients to avoid taking a probiotic within at least two hours of an antibiotic, as antibiotics may reduce the efficacy of probiotics. Along the same lines, probiotics that contain yeasts may need to be avoided while taking oral antifungals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, because certain probiotics can produce vitamin K in the gut, patients should be advised about potential interaction with warfarin. Although the clinical impact has not been confirmed, probiotics may potentially decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"helping-patients-choose-probiotics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping patients choose probiotics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics are generally sold as dietary supplements, and they\u2019re not typically <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regulated by the FDA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s a good idea to advise patients to choose probiotics from reputable brands and manufacturers. Patients should also be cautioned about the potential for allergic reactions, especially if they have allergies to milk or yeast products that may be found in some probiotics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare providers should take care in advising patients about the specific strain and how many CFUs to look for. Product labels might not show the CFUs for every strain the product contains, so patients should also be aware of that. Pharmacists can help counsel patients to forgo probiotics that are expired, as CFUs can <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decrease over time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some products may contain a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. It\u2019s important to clarify the difference between probiotics and prebiotics with a patient. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that act as food for the microorganisms found in probiotics or the gut. Probiotics and prebiotics work together to create a symbiotic relationship. Therefore, consuming both probiotics and prebiotics can help to boost the effectiveness of probiotics and improve overall gut health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"bottom-line\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bottom line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probiotics can play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and provide a variety of health benefits. As a healthcare professional, it is essential to understand the different types of probiotics available and how to use them, as well as the potential precautions and contraindications. By counseling patients on the proper use of probiotics, you can empower them to make informed decisions about incorporating probiotics into their healthcare routine.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The probiotics industry contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. With that being said, patients may look to purchase probiotics on their own accord or under the direction of their healthcare provider. Although they\u2019re not usually regulated by the FDA and the guidelines for their use are relatively scarce, probiotics have been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":57124,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[743,812],"coauthors":[8669],"class_list":["post-57136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-checkout","tag-pharmacies","tag-supplements","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to counsel patients on probiotics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It is important to advise patients to choose probiotics from reputable brands. 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