Antibiotics, like all prescription medications, offer the benefit of treating a medical condition, but there is a risk of various side effects. Antibiotics should be used for the treatment of a confirmed bacterial infection to prevent the risk of resistance by the bacteria to the drug. The more common side effects of antibiotics include nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea and the risk of allergic reactions such as a rash. Probiotics may be able to help prevent some of these side effects if taken at the right time. They may also help to decrease the length of side effects once they have started.
Probiotics
Your intestines are host to millions of bacteria, many of which are needed to break down the foods you eat. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "Friendly bacteria are vital to proper development of the immune system, to protect against microorganisms that could cause disease, and to the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients." Probiotics are live microorganisms that mimic the good bacteria in your intestines. They are found in foods such as yogurt and fermented and unfermented milk. Probiotics can also be found in capsule form in health food stores.
Antibiotic Effects
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for various bacterial infections in the body. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that led to the infection, but can also kill the good bacteria needed for your body to function properly. The destruction of the good bacteria in the gut can lead to diarrhea, gas and bloating and yeast infections.
Antibiotics and Probiotics
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine theorizes that introducing probiotics during antibiotic therapy may increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestinal tract and boost the immune system. By consuming some form of probiotic, such as yogurt, several hours prior to taking your dose of antibiotic, you may be able to prevent some of the side effects caused by the microbial destruction. Probiotics should be taken at least twice daily during your antibiotic treatment and should be continued for two to three days after the antibiotics have been completed. Taking the probiotic in advance of the antibiotic will prevent destruction of the good bacteria in the yogurt by the antibiotic.
Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea
Taking probiotics at the start of your course of antibiotics will provide the best opportunity for success at the prevention of diarrhea. According to a study cited by USProbiotics.org, "Probiotics can be used to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, but no strong effect on the ability of probiotics to treat such diarrhea exists." Therefore, once the diarrhea has begun, it may be more difficult for the probiotic to be effective. If you have already started your antibiotic, you should still consider using probiotics, which may lessen the side effects of the antibiotics.
Yeast Infections
Occasionally, antibiotics disrupt the balance of bacteria within the vagina and cause a yeast infection. Yeast infections can cause a whitish discharge, pain, burning and itching. Columbia University discussed a study published in the "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing" which states that the probiotics in 8 oz. of yogurt each day may help to prevent or control yeast infections. The benefit of this type of treatment is that it is inexpensive, and has a low risk of side effects.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; An Introduction to Probiotics; August 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Is it important to Include Probiotics in a Healthy Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- Go Ask Alice: Columbia University; Yogurt for Yeast Infections? ; January 2009
- USProbiotics.org; Probiotics Basics; Mary Ellen Sanders; Ph. D; 2007
- The Harvard Medical School; Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics; September 2005
- "The Canadian Journal of Infectious Disease and Medical Microbiology"; John M Conly MD, B Lynn Johnston MD; May/June 2004
