Probiotics after Antibiotics?

[Mom2oneboy]

My son just stopped taking Flagyl after being on it for almost 2 months. What's the opionion here on whether he should start taking probiotics to "recolonize the gut flora"? He's currently taking Entocort to get a flare under control.

Btw, I've just emailed and asked his GI but wanted to get feedback from the real experts here!

Thanks,
Shelley

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I've always been told that I should definitely take probiotics with and after taking antibiotics. Personally I don't do well with probiotics, so the only time I take them is when I'm on or just finished a round of antibiotics. In my non-expert opinion, I would say yes, at least short-term he should be taking probiotics now. They shouldn't interfere with the Entocort nor vice versa.

 

[Dunbar]

Yes, probiotics are a must. Even my old school Dr. has told me to take them after a round of flagyl. Get the 'live' ones - they are kept in a fridge. You can also add onion and garlic as a prebiotic. And yogurt, get plain and add favorite fruit and a touch of honey. The taste bud friendly yogurts on the market usually have way too much sugar which defeats the purpose of the probiotic.

 

[Jennifer]

After is a fine time to take them. What you don't want to do is take them while you're on antibiotics cause then you're wasting your pills/money cause the antibiotic is killing off those new ones you're trying to put in.

 

[Laney1983]

Yes, Yes and Absolutely Yes!

If you have Chron's or IBD PERIOD, you should be taking daily probiotics.

In fact, from what I gather, most everyone would be better off if they ate yogurt regularly or took probiotics regularly.

"How many times have you been treated with antibiotics, but never told to supplement with Probiotics or acidophilus? Probiotics are the good bacteria that are present in yogurt or buttermilk; however, flanked by sugar and pasteurization, very little good bacteria are left in these products ... Unfriendly microorganisms such as disease causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and parasites can also upset the balance. Research has shown that probiotics could suppress the growth and activity of unfriendly bacteria that lead to infectious diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, infection with Helicobacter pylori- a bacteria that causes most ulcers and chronic stomach inflammation, tooth decay and periodontal disease, vaginal infections, stomach & respiratory infections that children get in daycare, and skin infections such as eczema ... Does it make sense to replace the good bacteria that antibiotics, medications, poor diet, chemicals, etc. have depleted? The answer to this one should be a no-brainer." Source: http://www.pamelaegan.com/articles/probiotics_0001.htm
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[Rose]

Hi everyone,
Which probiotic did you use after antibiotic treatment and for how long? Doc recommended Florastor, but I am a little nervous because its a yeast.
Thanks,
Rose

 

[nogutsnoglory]

After is a fine time to take them. What you don't want to do is take them while you're on antibiotics cause then you're wasting your pills/money cause the antibiotic is killing off those new ones you're trying to put in.

I have always felt this way but experts recommend taking them while on antibiotics to replenish the flora and also reduce antibiotic associated diarrhea. http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20120508/probiotics-reduce-antibiotic-diarrhea

I have tried many probiotics but recently was on tons of antibiotics for a few months and developed thrush. I have been taking bio-k+ and the thrush is mostly resolved. (I took troches for a month with no change). The bio-k is expensive but it's supposedly a 50 billion probiotic liquid and has been one of the most research based companies.

 

[joeyme1]

I take Florastor. It worked wonders for me after my last course of antibiotics. It's way cheaper to buy on Amazon than it is to buy at Walgreens. I'm on antibiotics again, so I've doubled my dose of Florastor and it has helped keep the big d at a minimum.

 

[Rose]

joeyme1,
How many Florastor tabs do you take and when, morning/night with food/without food? After,during a course of antibiotic or both.
My son was fine with no diarrhea for 10 days of antibiotics..doc recommended florastor post antibiotic treatment and the evening after first morning dose had odorous gas...is this normal? . Did you get any side effects from the Florastor? Trying to do the right thing... Thanks for help
Rose

 

[kel]

Sounds fairly normal. Only take 1 a day if you notice GI disturbances.

Personally I've had the best success with Align both during and after antibiotic treatment. Tried florastor several times but it never made a difference for me.

 

[alexga]

I've always been told that I should definitely take probiotics with and after taking antibiotics. Personally I don't do well with probiotics, so the only time I take them is when I'm on or just finished a round of antibiotics. In my non-expert opinion, I would say yes, at least short-term he should be taking probiotics now. They shouldn't interfere with the Entocort nor vice versa.

same here....always
i did change eating habits while i was on antibiotics

 

[joeyme1]

Hi Rose,

I'm finishing a round of antibiotics today. Usually, I take florastor once in the morning and once before bed. I remember getting extra gas when I started, but that went away after a week or so.

When I started antibiotics a week ago, I got bad D. So, I tried 2 florastor in the morning, 2 midday, and 2 before bed. After 2 days of that, the D went away.

In the morning, I take them on an empty stomach. The rest of the day, I take with or without food.

The gas he has might just be the intestinal flora battling it out.

 

[Jabo]

I think probiotics are very important. I have crohn's and s boulardii and saurkraut were really helpful. Lactobacillus Acidopholus was helpful some too. Also, the 24 hour yogurt was really helpful, but hurt a little too because I can't handle dairy anymore.