Acidophilus is a bacterium species in the Lactobacillus family. It helps keep the vaginal area and intestines healthy by killing harmful bacteria. Antibiotics are drugs also designed to kill bacteria or disable their reproduction. It is safe for your health to take both together. But since antibiotics cannot discern between good and bad bacteria, they pose a risk to acidophilus, unless you time your doses of each substance properly. Consult your doctor before adding acidophilus to your diet.
Timing the Doses
Ask your doctor about how to keep the antibiotic from neutralizing the healthy bacteria. MayoClinic.com suggests taking acidophilus two hours after taking antibiotics. The spacing gives your system time to metabolize and absorb the antibacterial chemicals in the medicine. When you take acidophilus two hours later, the environment inside your body is clear of the antibiotic and friendly to the good bacteria again.
Why Take Acidophilus
Acidophilus is available as a probiotic, a dietary supplement that provides the live bacterium. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, clinical evidence shows that acidophilus is helpful in treating vaginal bacterial infections. Less reliable studies reveal that the good bacterium may also be able to prevent diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections. Acidophilus may help reduce cholesterol, prevent childhood eczema and decrease susceptibility to pollen allergies. It is also safe to take acidophilus during antibiotic treatment. The probiotic may prevent diarrhea, which can be a drug side effect. Acidophilus can also replace the good bacteria in your body that the antibiotic kills in the process of restoring your health.
Acidophilus Supplement Dose
Acidophilus supplements are sold as freeze-dried or liquid bacteria cultures. The doses are calculated in billions of bacteria per serving. Talk to your doctor about the adequate dose for you based on your reason for taking acidophilus. The product label also lists dosing recommendations. The general suggestion for adults is 1 billion to 2 billion bacteria daily to treat and prevent diarrhea. The same amount is also used to treat vaginal infections. One billion to 15 billion acidophilus daily keep the intestines well-supplied with good bacteria.
Acidophilus Side Effects
Despite the fact that it might treat diarrhea, acidophilus can backfire and cause the condition. If that happens, stop taking the supplement and talk to your doctor about your body's reaction. She might recommend you take a lower dose or suspend it altogether. Flatulence and stomach aches are also possible side effects. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that individuals with artificial heart valves can develop a rare bacterial infection if they take acidophilus. The supplement is not recommended for individuals with an impaired immune system unless their physicians prescribe it. Tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs in case there is a known adverse interaction with acidophilus. Medical literature does not list health risks from taking acidophilus with antibiotics.
