Why I Take Antibiotics With Probiotics
Antibiotics kill our probiotic bacteria. So knowing the benefits of probiotics, I avoid antibiotics whenever possible.
But, you should probably take antibiotics to avoid death or kill serious infections. And if you take probiotics together with antibiotics, you’ll reduce the damage that antibiotics do to our native probiotics.
Research Proves Probiotics Taken With Antibiotics Prevent Diarrhea
33% of people who take antibiotics alone suffer from post-antibiotic associated diarrhea.
But, for those who take probiotics with their antibiotics, the risk of diarrhea dropped by 42%.
Why Do Scientist Think Probiotics With Antibiotics Reduce Diarrhea Risk?
The primary cause of post-antibiotic diarrhea is infections by bacteria like C. difficile. I also think candida and parasite infections are a cause, but I haven’t seen research investigating those causes.
Scientists know that when you take antibiotics, you kill probiotic bacteria that form your intestinal protective barrier. With a compromised probiotic barrier, your intestines are more open to infection.
But, when you take probiotics with antibiotics, you help reinforce the probiotic barrier on your intestinal wall…making infection less likely…and decreasing the risk of post-antibiotic diarrhea by 42%.
Watch Best Probiotic To Take With Antibiotics
What’s the Best Probiotic To Take With Antibiotics?
Based on my research, there is no single best strain, or best combination of strains. But the strains that have some benefit are:
- saccharomyces strains
- bifidobacterium strains
- lactobacillus strains
- bacillus strains
I really like Synbiotic 365 because it has all 4 of those strains that are researched to help fight antibiotic associated diarrhea. It has a strong prebiotic, which helps support the regrowth of probiotics after anbiotics. Lastly, it has a full spectrum of B vitamins, including B-12 and methylfolate.
I take Synbiotic 365 about 4 hours after taking the antibiotics, so hopefully more of the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains are more likely to survive. But taking it at the same time as the antibiotic would also work well.
Because I’m a little obsessed, I also took a pure Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic with each dose of antibiotics as well. A product like Florastor could also be taken in that situation.
How Soon After Antibiotics Can You Take Probiotics?
Once a day, about 4 hours after taking an antibiotic, I took a Synbiotic 365 pill.
You can take S. boulardii at the same time as your antibiotics because S. Boulardii is a probiotic yeast…and probiotic yeast are unharmed by antibiotics (which target bacteria).
Each course of antibiotics I will take Synbiotic 365 as well as a S. Boulardii.
I used to think that pure Saccharomyces boulardii was the best way to go. But, looking deeper into it, I think the research better supports taking a broad spectrum probiotic like Synbiotic 365 which also has Saccharomyces boulardii. I’ll keep an eye on the research and maybe we’ll get a definitive answer on the best probiotic combination to take with antibiotics.
Double Check With Your Doctor on Mixing Probiotics and Antibiotics
There may be situations where your doctor doesn’t want you to take probiotics with antibiotics. So please, for your own safety, check with your doctor to make sure taking antibiotics together with probiotics is the right call for you. The more health conditions and the more complicated your medications schedule is, the more important it is the check with your doctor.
2 comments on “Take Probiotics While on Antibiotics? I always do.” - Click here to write your comment
Leave a Reply
Probiotics.org Tools
Our Most Popular Articles
Free Probiotics Buying Guide
Want to buy the best probiotics for you and your health? Then you should click here to download the Probiotics Buying Guide.
Featured Product Reviews:
read Canine Daily Care review.
I have been on antibiotics cipro and flagyl for a week for diverticulitis and ABS. I have completed the antibiotics and my doctor recommended that I take Floristor for a week or two, 1 capsule twice a day.
I also purchased a month’s supply of Synbiotic 365. Can I take this along side the Floristor? Or should I just take the Synbiotic 365 instead? What would you recommend as a treatment plan and how long should I this plan? Any other advice would be appreciated. best regards, David
Hi David,
Personally, I would take both. But, you gotta check with your doctor. He/she may have a good reason for 1 or the other only.
Synbiotic 365 also has some the main ingredient as florastor which is Saccharomyces boulardii, so that’s a great thing about Synbiotic 365.
Best,
Evan Jerkunica