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Antibiotics and probiotics

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/14/2007 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking probiotics for awhile now along with Pentassa and my 8 week infusions of Remicade. Currently I'm on antibiotics for what appears to be an upper respiratory infection (blood work was done to make sure there's nothing else going on). I was wondering if its appropriate to take probiotics while taking antibiotics. Any thoughts or advice?
Posted 10/14/2007 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
It should be ok for you to take both at the same time. Many people take probiotics when taking antibiotics. You can always call your doctor and ask them.
Posted 10/14/2007 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
It's a must to take probiotics while on antibiotics (and even when not) daily....when you are on antibiotics it's important to take your probiotics at least 2 hours AFTER you're finished taking your antibiotics for the day.


:)
Posted 10/14/2007 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor put me on a probiotic last week when the antibiotic I was taking (for a sinus infection) started giving me D. It for sure helped, but that is one antibiotic that I'll probably stay away from in the future. Just seemed to strong for my system or something. But the next time I'm on antibiotics I'll for sure take a probiotic again, it really helped me and I feel a little safer taking it and preventing problems.
Posted 10/14/2007 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Jen :)

You should continue to be taking probiotics daily even when not on antibiotics, research shows that probiotics are a huge benefit for IBDers....taking them indefinitely is a must.

:)
Posted 10/15/2007 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks eveyone! I should have asked the doc, but after I started taking the antibiotics I started thinking that the probiotics might cancel out the intended effects of the antibiotics. This is what led to my question.

PB4: why do you say to take the probiotics 2 hours after the antibiotics?
Posted 10/15/2007 11:27 PM (GMT 0)

Catman, I hadn't heard of the two hour time period, but it makes sense. Because the antibiotic wipes out all types of bacteria, both good and bad, so if taken too close to the time of the probiotic, might work against the probiotic.

The probiotic doesn't work against the antibiotic, because it replenishes only good bacteria, not bad bacteria.

After an antibiotic is administered and wipes out a good deal of bacteria, it is the bad bacteria that is most likely to grow back, first. So taking a probiotic helps to prevent this by filling the gut with good bacteria before the bad bacteria can take hold and cause things like D.

Posted 10/16/2007 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics will kill everything...it's a waste to take probiotics and then take antibiotics because the good bacteria will be killed off...to ensure this won't happen it's best to wait at least 2 hrs to take probiotics when you're done taking your antibiotics for the day.

:)
Posted 10/17/2007 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again. I'm done with the antibiotics for now, but at least I'll be better informed for next time. Still have the cold though, it is really hanging tough and definitely having an effect on my energy level.
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