Why You Should Take Probiotics with Antibiotics: Protecting Your Gut Health

Taking antibiotics can alter the microbiome — the composition of bacteria — in the stomach and intestines, which may sometimes lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as diarrhea, especially in children.

A study examining the effects of taking probiotics alongside antibiotics showed promising results regarding gut microbiome health. When you take probiotics during a course of antibiotics, you help restore the natural balance in your gut, which can prevent various gastrointestinal issues.

Probiotics are essentially beneficial bacteria that our bodies need in order to break down food and perform a range of essential functions across different systems.

However, it’s important to pay attention to the timing of probiotic intake. You should take probiotics several hours apart from antibiotics, as the antibiotics can kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria — including the probiotics.

Researchers say that the food you eat while taking antibiotics is also important. Eating fiber-rich foods like beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas can support gut healing and help your microbiome recover after taking antibiotics.