If You Take Antibiotics, Consider Taking Probiotics

Antibiotics can be lifesavers and reduce illness and suffering, but they are not without risk. For a start, the widespread and sometimes indiscriminate use of antibiotics over the last few decades has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria that can prove fatal. Antibiotic-related allergy is another issue with potentially fatal consequences. Another risk associated with antibiotics is that of cutting a swath through the healthy bacteria in the gut.

In the short term this may lead to digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, but there is the possibility of long-term problems too. Antibiotic therapy, particularly repeated courses, has the theoretical capacity to upset the ecosystem in the gut that can lead to an organism imbalance. In natural medicine, antibiotic therapy is believed to lead to a relative abundance of yeast species, for example, Candida, that have the capacity to provoke symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, and altered bowel habit. Antibiotics can be a trigger factor for what is often described as irritable bowel syndrome.

For these reasons, I generally advise individuals who take antibiotics to take a course of probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) during and after taking antibiotics. I know of no research that has assessed this approach in the long-term health and function of the gut, but there have been a few studies, which have assessed the impact of probiotic therapy. Relevant science in this area was recently reviewed in a study published in the journal American Family Physician. Seven good-quality studies were identified, and the results support the use of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhea. The probiotics also had a good safety profile in both adults and children.

Some of us will be entering the time of year where chest infections will become more common and more antibiotics may be prescribed and taken as a result. Taking a probiotic may be a good insurance against short-terms problems and longer-term issues too.

Reference:

Kligler B, et al. Probiotics. American Family Physician, 2008;8(9): 1073-1078

Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and author with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine.
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Last Updated
Jan 1, 2009