Why probiotics should be administered along with antibiotics?

Antibiotics are sometimes essential to treat a bacterial infection. However, they can attack our “microbiome” and cause diarrhea. Taking probiotics has proven valuable in antibiotic treatments to limit intestinal discomfort.

Bacteria: useful or pathogenic?

Bacteria are single-celled organisms (tiny living beings consisting of a single cell) that are present everywhere: in the body, in the air, in the water…. Some are beneficial to the body, especially the bacteria present in the intestine and forming the “gut microbiome”. Others can cause disease (certain middle ear or tonsil infections, bladder infections, skin abscesses, etc.).

Effects of antibiotics on the microbiome

A doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment to stop an infection. Some antibiotics target a specific type of bacteria; these are “narrow-spectrum” antibiotics. Others are “broad-spectrum” antibiotics: they fight a large number of bacteria. Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics or a combination of several antibiotics destroys beneficial bacteria and unbalances the gut microbiome. This dysbiosis (imbalance in the gut microbiome) can cause diarrhea. Up to 49% of patients treated with antibiotics experience diarrhea. They often occur a few days after the start of antibiotic treatment, but can be noticeable up to 6 weeks after the end.

Probiotics: indispensable in antibiotic treatment

To help the microbiome cope with the changes caused by antibiotics and restore its balance, it is possible to administer probiotics during antibiotic treatment. Probiotics taken from the beginning of treatment have been shown to be effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of probiotics in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections. Dietary supplementation with probiotics (of the Lactobacillus GG strain) has a positive impact on the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infections and the global tolerance of treatment (reduction of diarrhea(reduction of diarrhea when taking antibiotics in combination with proton pump inhibitors). In antibiotic-associated diarrhea, probiotics of the Lactobacillus GG strain are particularly recommended. To enhance the properties of the microbiome, the duration of probiotics intake may be longer than that of antibiotic treatment.

So, what probiotics to take with antibiotics? We recommend our Colondrink+ for the best results.