If we recommend something at the counter, it’s not just about adding another product to your bag.

It’s because we think there’s a good reason for it.

For some patients, taking a probiotic during a course of antibiotics is one of those recommendations.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, but they can also disrupt some of the normal bacteria living in your digestive system. For some people, that disruption can contribute to digestive changes, including loose stools or antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Research suggests that certain probiotic strains may help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in some people.

But here’s the important part: not all probiotics are the same.

Which Probiotic Do We Recommend?

One option we frequently recommend at Jones Drug and Compounding is Replenish Biotic from Replenish Nutrition.

When you’re comparing probiotics, it’s easy to focus on the number of bacteria or the names listed on the bottle. But there’s another detail worth paying attention to:

The specific strain matters.

On a probiotic label, you may see strain designations after the name of the microorganism. Think of it like saying “dog” versus telling you the actual breed. The more specific strain designation tells us more about exactly what’s in the product and which research may apply to it.

That’s important because the benefits found in research on one probiotic strain don’t automatically apply to every probiotic.

Two probiotics that have been studied specifically in connection with antibiotic-associated diarrhea are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces boulardii.

S. boulardii is actually a beneficial yeast rather than a bacterium, so antibacterial medications don’t affect it in the same way they can affect bacterial probiotic strains.

That’s one reason we pay attention to what’s actually in a probiotic, rather than simply recommending whichever bottle says “probiotic” on the front.

Timing Your Probiotic With an Antibiotic

If you’re taking a bacterial probiotic while you’re on an antibiotic, timing can matter.

We commonly recommend separating a bacterial probiotic and your antibiotic by about two hours. However, the appropriate timing can depend on the antibiotic and probiotic you’re using, so follow the instructions provided by your pharmacist.

We may also recommend continuing a probiotic for a short period after you’ve finished your antibiotic, depending on the medication, probiotic, and individual patient.

Not sure when to take yours?

Ask us. That’s exactly the kind of question we’re here to answer.

What About Yogurt?

Yogurt containing live cultures can certainly be part of a healthy diet and can provide beneficial microorganisms.

But eating yogurt isn’t necessarily the same as taking a probiotic supplement containing specific, researched strains in defined amounts.

That doesn’t mean one is automatically “better” than the other. It means they’re not necessarily interchangeable when we’re recommending a particular probiotic for a particular reason.

Are Probiotics for Everyone?

Probiotics are generally well tolerated by many healthy people, but they aren’t appropriate for everyone.

People who are severely ill, significantly immunocompromised, or have certain medical devices or health conditions should talk with their healthcare team before starting a probiotic.

That’s another reason we don’t believe in simply grabbing a supplement off the shelf without asking questions.

Your health history, medications, antibiotic, and individual circumstances all matter.

When You Pick Up Your Antibiotic, Ask Us

When you’re filling your antibiotic with us, we can see which antibiotic you’re taking, the directions, and how long the prescription is intended to last.

That gives us an opportunity to provide more individualized guidance about whether a probiotic may make sense for you, which product to consider, when to take it, and how long you may want to continue it.

At Jones Drug and Compounding, we want to do more than put your prescription in a bag.

Helping you understand what to expect and making your treatment a little easier is part of taking care of you.

So the next time you’re picking up an antibiotic, ask us about Replenish Biotic and whether adding a probiotic makes sense for you.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for consultation with your pharmacist or physician. Probiotics may not be appropriate for everyone. Read and follow all label directions and talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.