When To Give Probiotics With Antibiotics

Can You Give A Cat Too Much Probiotics

Yes, it is possible to give your cat too much probiotics, and contrary to popular belief, too many beneficial gut bacteria do not result in increased gut health.

Namely, when you supplement your cat with high doses of probiotics, the good bacteria start competing, leading to microbiome imbalance .

Therefore, it is best advised to follow the manufacturers dosage guidelines and talk to your vet if you have any doubts.

Additional Benefits Of Probiotics

The good news is that probiotics are also there to treat and prevent certain conditions.

The conditions that can be treated or prevented by probiotics include the following:

• Vaginal infections
• Ulcers
• Certain bacterial infections of the digestive tract
• Eczema in children
• Crohns disease

Probiotics are considered safe and are mostly sold as dietary supplements. You can also get the same benefits from eating certain foods instead of taking tablets. These include yoghurt , sauerkraut, pickles, buttermilk and certain cheeses, such as Gouda, cheddar, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Remember that certain foods, such as sugar and processed and fried foods tend to feed the bad bacteria in your gut.

So make a point of remembering the probiotics next time you are prescribed a course of antibiotics. You will feel the difference.

The Content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Restoring Your Bodys Microbiome

It is essential to take a high-quality probiotic supplement when completing antibiotic treatment in order to restore your gut microbiome with good bacteria and maintain its diversity. It is best to start taking a probiotic within the first 48 hours of starting your antibiotic treatment.

Make sure to space out taking your antibiotic and your probiotic. Try to leave as much time as possible each day between taking your antibiotic and your probiotic. If you take your antibiotic and probiotic too close to each other, you run the risk that the antibiotic will kill the good bacteria that you are feeding your body by taking a probiotic supplement.

In terms of how long to take a probiotic to repair your gut microbiome due to antibiotic treatment, a good rule of thumb is: take a probiotic for each day you take an antibiotic and then continue for the same amount of days you took the antibiotic for.

For example, if you would be prescribed a ten-day antibiotic treatment, you would take a probiotic for at least twenty days.

Keep in mind that probiotics have many health benefits, and therefore you should strongly consider adding a probiotic supplement to your daily wellness routine regardless of whether or not you recently completed an antibiotic treatment. Fact is that a healthy life starts with a healthy gut.

Read Also: How To Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

How To Properly Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

Note: This is a guest post from Jamie Morea

Even the healthiest among us will likely have to take an antibiotic at some point in our lives whether its for strep throat, a tooth infection, or as a pre-surgery prophylactic.

The truth is that antibiotics are life-saving medicines, but they can do a number on our overall health.

From diarrhea and yeast infections to more serious inflammatory and immune conditions, antibiotics arent without their side effects.

The good news is that if you do need antibiotics for a bacterial infection, you can take steps to support your body during the process to minimize negative health consequences, including taking probiotics with antibiotics.

Probiotics Are Good Bacteria

Your body is home to billions of organisms like bacteria, fungi and yeasts. Most of these organisms are harmless and many help your body work properly they form whats called the human microbiome.

Probiotics are some of the helpful good bacteria that make up your microbiome, explains Dr. Drass. They come in supplement form, but they also occur naturally in certain foods.

These fermented and aged foods are packed with probiotics:

Yogurt

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Available Probiotic Products In The Netherlands

A complete list of probiotic products available in The Netherlands was obtained in December 2016 by screening online websites of pharmacies, vitamin stores, health stores, and shops selling probiotics online. The Dutch association Natuur- en Gezondheidsproducten Nederland evaluated and completed our list. We also included dairy products routinely sold in food stores.

When To Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

Its recommended to take probiotics at least 2 hours after taking your antibiotic, by ensuring at least 2 hours have passed, were giving the antibiotic enough time and room to do its job.

This will also ensure that both the antibiotic and the probiotic achieve the best results, without fighting each other.

Also Check: Can Probiotics Help With Diarrhea

Probiotics Vs Antibiotics In The Gut

In essence: Probiotics are actual live microorganisms, while antibiotics kill live microorganisms .

Given this conundrum, one probiotic of particular interest is Saccharomyces boulardii , a strain of yeast, which has been found to remain untouched by antibiotics, which target bacteria. In humans S. boulardii has shown protection against antibiotic-associated diarrhea.16And if youre wondering, our probiotics specifically formulated to support the GI health of dogs do in fact contain S. boulardii.

In humans, probiotic use has seen promising results as a preventative measure and treatment for antibiotic-associated diarrhea,17 and at this point its relatively commonplace to recommend probiotics during antibiotic treatment.18

But what about for dogs and cats? The research there is much more limited, but emerging evidence for the simultaneous use of probiotics during antibiotics treatment appears promising.

How Might Probiotics Work

Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways.

Probiotics might:

• Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms or help your bodyâs community of microorganisms return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
• Produce substances that have desirable effects
• Influence your bodyâs immune response.

Also Check: Can Probiotics Cause Acid Reflux

What Are The Best Probiotics To Take After Antibiotics

Even if you have taken a probiotic designed to be taken alongside your antibiotic medication, it is always a good idea to take a good daily probiotic after antibiotics for at least a month or so to replenish the gut microflora. Scientists are not really sure exactly how long it will take to rebuild the gut flora after antibiotics it will depend on several different factors such as the individual gut microbiome, the length of the course, the strength of medication, diet and lifestyle etc. So, what are the best probiotics after antibiotics? Well, studies show taking a probiotic supplement that contains the strains Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07® after antibiotics may help to stabilise Lactobacillus populations in the gut13. The Lactobacillus genus of friendly bacteria helps to crowd out the bad guys and keep our gut environment healthy.

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The Microbiome And The Importance Of Gut Replenishment

Our digestive tract really is a marvel of coordination and if you think about it, it really is a highway,, with the entrance being the mouth and the sinus tract, and then the exits being the anus and the urethra in the genitourinary area. There are several areas along that tract where there are substantial colonies of microorganisms devoted to different purposes to help protect and support our health.*

Our sinuses and mouth have various bacterial species that, when in good health, guard against colonization by pathogenic viruses and bacteria that could cause a variety of contagious illnesses . The delicate balance of these bacteria, however, can be disrupted by the food we eat, certain exposures to microbes or environmental toxins such as toxic molds, which can then increase our risk for various kinds of infections and other symptoms.

When we travel downstream into the stomach and eventually the intestines, eventually we reach what is called the microbiome, which is a collection of bacteria, yeast, viruses and fungi that perform many vital functions. These include digestion, production of vitamins, detoxification, protection against pathogenic organisms and facilitating elimination through the bowel.

Unfortunately, this collection of microorganisms can be damaged in many ways nowadays. This includes but is not limited to:

A Complementary Medicine Approach To Augmenting Antibiotic Therapy Current Practices In The Use Of Probiotics During Antibiotic Therapy

Nicholas A Kerna1,2

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1College of Medicine, University of Science, Arts and Technology, BWI2Department of CAM and Tropical Medicine, Suriwonge Medical Center, Thailand

Correspondence: Nicholas A Kerna, College of Medicine, University of Science, Arts and Technology, 4288 Youngfield Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, USA

Citation: Kerna NA, Brown TL. A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2018 11:62 66. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2018.11.00368

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What About Probiotic Foods

One way to add probiotic bacteria to the gut is through diet. A number of fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, Lacto-fermented sauerkraut, and many types of yogurt, are rich in probiotics.

However, as you can see in this chart, its difficult to eat enough fermented foods to get a therapeutic dose.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of fermented foods, you can eat these as well. However, if you are taking a course of antibiotics, I highly recommend probiotic supplements.

When Might Other Probiotics Be Appropriate

Children

Children aged 1 year and over can also take Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11, which have been trialled in this young age group. However, parents may wish to seek a supplement especially formulated for childrens gut health.

Women with intimate health issues?

If you are a woman taking antibiotics for an intimate health issue, it might be worth considering probiotic strains which are well researched for womens intimate health, such as Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®. Health professionals can visit the Probiotics Database to read more about the research using these strains Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®.These strains are often used alongside antibiotics for vaginal infections, but are best taken 2 hours away from the medication.

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Is There A Case Against Taking Probiotics With Antibiotics

Ive seen some internet articles that warn people against taking probiotics to help with recovery from antibiotic therapy. Where is this advice coming from?

One study questions the value of taking probiotics and antibiotics together . In this study of 21 patients, eight patients received probiotic therapy, seven patients received no treatment, and six patients received a fecal transplant. Researchers found that probiotics were less effective for antibiotic recovery than no treatment at all. The fecal transplant brought near-complete recovery in a matter of days.

However, when you are looking for health insights from research, its important to follow the overall trends rather than focus narrowly on one study. So, if we compare the evidence for taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment:

A large-scale meta-analysis of 63 research trials showed that subjects had 48% less antibiotic-associated diarrhea after taking probiotics [11

Trusted SourcePubMedGo to source].

Its clear that the one small study doesnt stand up against a much larger meta-analysis of 63 studies. This is the reason a meta-analysis is the gold standard for research.

Bottom line: Be careful about science-based claims you read on the internet. Marketers often cherry-pick studies to support their position.

What Is The Best Prebiotic To Take With Antibiotics

Most probiotic strains are considered safe for most people, but if youre allergic, avoid strains with high histamine-producing tendencies, such as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Casei, and Lactobacillus Reuters.

Choose a probiotic that improves digestion and reduces histamine levels while preventing inflammation, such as Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Plantarum, and Bifidobacterium Infantis.

Another great alternative is to use a yeast strain probiotic such as S. Boulardii. Since its not a bacteria, antibiotics wont even come near.

Studies are now showing that S.boulardii can prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea if taken with antibiotics.

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Also Check: Best Women’s Probiotic To Prevent Yeast Infections

How Do Probiotics Restore Gut Flora

Probiotics contain the same beneficial organism as those in your gut.

After an antibiotic course, the gut flora takes time before it can resume normalcy.

This may put your health at risk, and instead of waiting for the gut to slowly restore itself, boosting it with a good probiotic comes a long way.

And even though probiotics may not restore the gut flora immediately, taking them will help prevent harmful bacteria from taking over during the course of antibiotics.

And if your timing is right, the good bacteria will begin to do their job until the next dose of antibiotics wipes them.

Taking a prebiotic 2 hours before or after probiotics will help you reap as many benefits as you can.

Can You Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

Dr. Eric Wood, ND, MA – Contributing Writer, Physicians Choice

Having been in practice for more than a decade, I am still dismayed at how seldom individuals are provided medical guidance when taking antibiotics, particularly as it pertains to getting gut support with probiotics. A question I often get in practice: Is it ok to take probiotics when Im on antibiotics?

This article is devoted to this issue, discussing the importance of supporting your microbiome, what antibiotics can do to gut health and why our health habits and practices need to adjust based on what else may be going on with our health.

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Can I Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

Yes. Extensive clinical research suggests the best probiotic to take with antibiotics are particular strains that can be taken alongside antibiotics, rather than separately. These particular strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52, Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 and Bifidobacterium lactis Lafti B94. These strains can be taken at exactly the same time as antibiotic medication, which is not the case for most other probiotic supplements. Health professionals can read this article about research using a probiotic for antibiotics.

Its not necessarily bad or counterproductive to take other probiotic strains alongside antibiotic medication, it just means that the probiotic may not be viable, but rest assured, the antibiotic medication itself would not be affected. Its always good to take strains of probiotics that have been studied to help with the health concern or situation you are looking to support as not all probiotics are the same.

Taking well-studied strains that have been shown to survive when taken at the same time as the antibiotic medication is particularly useful alongside intravenous antibiotics which may be constantly administered on a drip. We would always say that it is a good idea to take probiotics during and after courses of antibiotics we will discuss the best probiotics for after antibiotics later in this article.

Taking Probiotics After Antibiotics

Probiotics can also be taken after antibiotic treatment to replenish lost beneficial bacteria. While taking probiotics during antibiotic use can help keep some bacteria present in the colon during that time, replenishment after antibiotic use is the most beneficial time for the intestinal tract, states Perrault. Good bacteria can then repopulate and stabilize the colon, allowing conditions to return to normal. Probiotic supplements or probiotic foods can be taken daily.

Recommended Reading: What Do Probiotics Do For The Human Body

What Are Antibiotics And Probiotics

Antibiotics, a modern medicine used to fight infections by killing pathogenic bacteria, are a common treatment prescribed for GI issues and diarrhea episodes in pets. But the relationship between antibiotics and the GI tract of our furry friends is a bit complicated more on that later.

Probiotics, on the other hand, have an overall healthy relationship with the GI tract of pets. They are beneficial live bacteria and yeasts that promote a healthy gut microbiome by supporting friendly bacterial populations in the gut, all while preventing unhealthy ones from flourishing.5When it comes to GI issues and probiotics in pets, research has found much success in treating a range of conditions.4

When considering the GI health of our pets, the use of antibiotics should be examined closely. Certain situations, like infections, certainly require antibiotics, and some GI conditions do respond well to them. However, in other instances antibiotics can actually lead to an upset stomach and negatively alter the gut microbiome.5 Plus, theyre not always more effective than some alternative treatment options.6

Probiotics may just be the missing element needed to help moderate the relationship between antibiotics and the gut.