Should You Take Probiotics with Antibiotics?
Antibiotics can destroy the populations of ‘good’ beneficial bacteria in our gut microbiome. This can cause negative bodily effects such as diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite, bloating, and low energy.
Taking a probiotic supplement in conjunction with antibiotics may help to lower the likelihood of acquiring adverse side effects.
What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts (a type of fungus) that are naturally found in the human body. They are a part of the human microbiome, which is a collection of microorganisms that live inside the human body. The most common place linked to beneficial microbes is the gut. The collection of microorganisms found here are known as the gut microbiome.
Supplementing with probiotics can help the body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms and even help these microorganisms return to a healthy state after being disturbed.
What is an antibiotic?
Anti-biotics are used to treat or prevent various bacterial infections. They work by killing some types of bacteria or preventing them from spreading. Antibiotics cannot discriminate between ‘good bacteria’ (probiotics) and ‘bad bacteria’ (pathogens), and thereby kill both bacteria equally effectively. Good bacteria refer to bacteria that is beneficial to the body (probiotics) and bad bacteria is detrimental towards the body (pathogens). Unfortunately, it is the ‘bad' bacteria that typically returns first before, which increases the chances of acquiring an infection or disease.
Why take a probiotic with an antibiotic?
Taking probiotics while on antibiotics may help keep your gut microbiome healthy. Replenishing the gut microbiota with beneficial bacteria can assist in rebalancing the gut microbiota and lower the likelihood of antibiotic-related side effects.
What probiotic should I take with an antibiotic and how should I take it?
Sona Pro25Biotic is a high strength microbiotic that contains the world’s best documented Bifidobacterium, BB-12®, as well as Lactobacillus (LA-5®). Each capsule contains 25 billion colony-forming units (CFU). One capsule of Sona Pro25Biotic is to be taken daily, with a glass of water, and with or without food. Also recommended is Sona Afterbiotic, a high-strength probiotic specifically designed to replenish the system after a course of antibiotics.
References;
Antibiotics. (2026). Access from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/
The BB-12® strain – The world’s most documented Bifidobacterium. (2026). Access from https://www.chr-hansen.com/en/human-health-and-probiotics/our-probiotic-strains/bifidobacterium-animalis-subsp-lactis-bb-12