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Biologicals and probiotics

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/18/2007 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I recently started taking Humira. I'm also taking a probiotic, the same one I've been taking for about a year (Nature's way Reuteri Pearls). I read in a nursing magazine that you shouldn't take probiotics if you're immunosuppressed. Does anyone know if probiotics are contraindicated when you're on Humira (or Remicade)? Before Humira, I was on Imuran and my doctor knew I was taking a probiotic. I didn't remind him when I started Humira. Thanks for your input.
Posted 11/18/2007 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ski bum, I would talk to your doctor about your concernes with the meds.
Posted 11/18/2007 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
That's weird because probiotics are nothing more then good bacteria so I'm really surprised if they would have any contraditciton with anything.


:)
Posted 11/19/2007 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
My own take on those sorts of disclaimers is that it is essentially lawyer-written, U.S.-litigation-crazy-driven stuff for the one in a billion chance that it can cause harm (or even if it doesn't really cause harm, the probiotic manufacturer is sued for alleged harm), since they haven't tested it and never will (too costly). For example, there have been some extreme cases of very weak immune systems, such as some AIDS compromised patients, possibly getting an overgrowth, I believe, of bifidobacteria, which is normally considered health-promoting.

You can certainly ask your doc... but in my experience relatively few MD's are knowledgeable of, much less believe in, the use of probiotics.

Lastly, I am not a doctor and anything I say should not be used to treat or cure any illness or disease (my own anti-litigation double-talk, lol).
Posted 11/19/2007 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your responses.  I'll definitely ask my doctor, although he told me that he supports taking Probiotics and never once mentioned not to take them when I was on Imuran.  The example used in the nursing magazine of an immunosuppressed patient was a transplant patient.  I'll let you know if I find anything definitive on this issue.  Until then, I'm still going to take the probiotics.     
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