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Antibiotics to probiotics timing

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/9/2011 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had to be put on a high dose of amoxicillin to clear up some bacterial infections and have been pondering the timing of implementing probiotics.

To my mind, there's not really any point in taking probiotics during the course of antiobiotic treatment as the beneficial bacteria will only get killed off and it may lessen the effectiveness of the antibiotic if it's having to kill of a lot of additional bacterial load (good or bad). It seems to me that I should start my probiotic regimen once I'm done with the antibiotics.

Does anybody else have any additional thoughts on this? Thanks!
Posted 6/9/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Crazybug,

Interesting question. My experience is to start loading double doses of probiotics prior to taking antibiotics, and continue throughout the antibiotic treatment. I have to admit that I've never thought the issue you brought up before.

I can't take amoxicillin at all anymore without generating c diff.

Good luck to you.
Posted 6/9/2011 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics do kill both good and bad bacteria, but they do not kill ALL good and bad bacteria. So it probably is a good idea to take probiotics while taking antibiotics just to be safe that the bad guys do not get the upper hand.

Having said that I recommend also taking the probiotic good guy yeast Saccharomyces boulardii while taking antibiotics. It is a yeast and therefore immune to antibiotics. Very useful at keeping bad guys in check especially Clostridium difficile or C. Diff.
Posted 6/10/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
It's vital to take probiotics especially while on antibiotics....yes basically antibiotics can kill everything, good and bad bacteria which is why it's essential to take a good probiotic daily and indefinitely....it's best to try and take your probiotics at least 2 hours after you've finished taking your antibiotics for the day...key is to take a good quality probiotic and stay on them indefinitely...without probiotics women are more prone to getting yeast infections while on antibiotics.
Posted 6/11/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your kind responses. I guess it couldn't hurt to go ahead and take the probiotics as I certainly don't want C.diff on top of everything else right now!

I would be interested in finding out how/where to purchase the Saccharomyces boulardii yeast. Is it available in a commercial product?

BTW - I had the worst colonoscopy experience yesterday that I've ever had. The anasthetics (even at the highest dost they could give me) didn't knock me out in the very least. I have vivid memories of the entire painful process. The nurse suggested that next time I go under complete anasthesia. Sorry just had to complain a bit to some folks who might understand. Unfortunately, my husband is not coping well with my illness and I just needed to get this off my chest. Thank you to all for being here and for being so knowledgeable and kind.
Posted 6/11/2011 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
The timing is, take the probiotic 2 hours before you take the antibiotic, or 4 hours after.

Sue
Posted 6/11/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Jarrow's sells S Boulardii at Whole Foods and health food stores. It can also be purchased online under the brand name Florastor.
Posted 6/12/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Suebear and Babeinthewoods!
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