Is it safe to take Physician's Choice Probiotics (60 billion CFU, 10 strains) with Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)?

Taking Physician's Choice Probiotics with Augmentin

Yes, it is safe to take Physician's Choice Probiotics (60 billion CFU, 10 strains) with Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), and doing so may actually help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. 1

Benefits of Taking Probiotics with Antibiotics

• Probiotics can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), which occurs in approximately 25% of patients receiving antibiotics 2
• When probiotics are given with antibiotics, they can reduce the risk of developing Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) by up to 64% 1
• Taking probiotics with Augmentin may lead to fewer adverse events and better tolerance of the antibiotic regimen 3
• Probiotics can help mitigate antibiotic-induced microbiota changes (dysbiosis) that occur during antibiotic treatment 3

Timing Considerations

• Bacteria-derived probiotics should be separated from antibiotics by at least two hours to maintain probiotic viability 4
• This separation helps ensure the antibiotic doesn't kill the beneficial bacteria in the probiotic

Specific Strains with Evidence

Several probiotic strains have shown particular effectiveness when taken with antibiotics:

• Saccharomyces boulardii has the strongest evidence for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in both children and adults 1, 5
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG also shows good evidence for preventing AAD 5
• Combinations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains (which are likely included in your 10-strain formula) have shown effectiveness in preventing antibiotic-related complications 1

Safety Considerations

• Probiotics are generally considered safe for the general population 1
• The overwhelming evidence suggests probiotics are safe, with bloating and flatulence being the most common mild side effects 4
• Caution is advised in specific populations:
  • Immunocompromised patients 1
  • Critically ill patients 1
  • Patients with damaged intestinal mucosa 1
  • Patients with central venous catheters 4

Quality Considerations

• The Physician's Choice product contains 60 billion CFU, which exceeds the typical recommendation of "several billion microorganisms" needed for effectiveness 4
• The 10-strain formulation likely provides a diversity of beneficial bacteria, though specific strain effectiveness can vary 1

Bottom Line

Taking Physician's Choice Probiotics with Augmentin is not only safe but potentially beneficial in reducing antibiotic-associated side effects. Just remember to take them at least two hours apart to maintain the viability of the probiotic bacteria 4.