Taking Probiotics with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
Yes, you can take a probiotic with amoxicillin-clavulanate, and it may be beneficial in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and maintaining gut microbiota health.
Benefits of Probiotics with Antibiotics
- Probiotics can help mitigate antibiotic-induced microbiota changes (dysbiosis) that commonly occur during antibiotic treatment 1
- Taking probiotics with amoxicillin-clavulanate has been shown to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea scores compared to taking the antibiotic alone 1
- Probiotics can delay the onset of diarrhea by 4-5 days when taken with amoxicillin-clavulanate 2
Evidence Supporting Probiotic Use
- Studies have demonstrated that specific probiotic combinations containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains can help maintain more stable gut microbiota during amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment 3
- Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 has been shown to reduce adverse gastrointestinal events when combined with amoxicillin-clavulanate 1
- Meta-analyses have shown an overall reduction in the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea when probiotics are co-administered with antibiotics 4
Timing of Probiotic Administration
- To maximize effectiveness, take probiotics at least 2 hours before or after antibiotic doses to prevent the antibiotic from killing the beneficial bacteria in the probiotic 4
- Continue taking the probiotic during the entire course of antibiotic therapy and for 1-2 weeks after completing antibiotics to help restore normal gut flora 1
Effective Probiotic Options
- Lactobacillus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii, and probiotic mixtures containing multiple strains have shown the most consistent efficacy in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea 4
- Combinations of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis have demonstrated ability to maintain higher levels of beneficial bacteria during amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment 3
Safety Considerations
- Probiotics are generally safe for most individuals taking antibiotics 4
- Use caution if you have a compromised immune system, intestinal mucosal damage, or a central venous catheter 4
- If you experience severe abdominal pain, high fever, or bloody diarrhea while taking antibiotics, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as these could be signs of Clostridioides difficile infection rather than simple antibiotic-associated diarrhea 4