Can I Take probiotics with antibiotics?

SUMMARY:

Most people can take probiotics while on antibiotics, but antibiotics often reduce or kill probiotic organisms so timing and strain selection matter; separating probiotic dosing from antibiotic doses can help maintain probiotic benefit. Probiotics may lower antibiotic-associated diarrhea for many patients, but use caution in severely ill or immunocompromised individuals because of rare infection risk.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

- Mechanism: antibiotics kill or suppress bacteria and can reduce the viability of live probiotic strains. - Practical steps: take probiotics a few hours after the antibiotic dose (commonly 2–3 hours) and continue probiotics after finishing antibiotics to help restore gut flora. - Benefits: evidence supports reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea for some probiotic strains (e.g., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii). - Risks: rare cases of bloodstream or invasive infections have been reported with probiotic organisms in severely immunocompromised, critically ill, or patients with central venous catheters. - If you have weakened immunity, are hospitalized, or have other serious health conditions, consult a clinician before using live probiotics while on antibiotics.