There is concern that antibiotics taken at the same time as bacteria-based probiotics would kill the beneficial bacteria in the latter; also, people taking immunosuppressants may be in danger of illness from the active bacteria in most probiotics.
Keep in mind that it's safe to take probiotics and antibiotics at the same time ( 1 ). If you take other medications or supplements, it's best to discuss potential interactions with your healthcare provider. That's because probiotics may increase their effectiveness ( 12 ).
Although probiotics are generally safe to use, findings of a review from 2017 suggest that children and adults with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems should avoid using probiotics. Some people with these conditions have experienced bacterial or fungal infections as a result of probiotic use.
Probiotics are most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Taking probiotics at least 30 minutes before a meal will reduce the time it takes for the good bacteria to get to your gut. Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial bacteria naturally occurring in your intestinal tract.
“Don't take a probiotic supplement with hot food and drinks such as tea or coffee as this can lessen the chance of the bacteria getting to your gut unharmed. Give it 30 minutes after taking them before you reach for the teapot.”
You might be concerned that taking a probiotic supplement at the same time as your morning vitamins or supplements might make one of the two less effective. Fear not, in most cases, taking probiotics should not affect the effectiveness of other supplements, such as your daily multivitamin or vice versa.
The ideal time to take probiotics is right before bed because "the gut is pretty inactive at night. If you think about it, you don't usually wake up in the middle of the night to poop,” says Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterology and internal medicine physician and clinical advisor for Gastro Girl.
In addition, probiotics might have synergistic effects with vitamin D, through improving the expression of vitamin D receptors [9]. Therefore, modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis by probiotics plus improving vitamin D levels might provide a novel target to treat mental and metabolic disorders.
A common question about probiotics is whether it is ok to take probiotic supplements every day. Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it's safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily. It's important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine.
Some people experience mild upset stomach, excess gas, diarrhea, or bloating during the first few days of taking probiotics as the gut microbiome rebalances. These side effects typically subside within a few days and don't necessarily mean you're taking too large of a dose.
While the time of day is ultimately up to you, this expert suggests that probiotics may be most effective if you plan to take them about 30 minutes before a meal — and most effective if you take your supplement before breakfast.
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between magnesium oxide and Probiotic Formula. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Bottom Line: For most conditions, take probiotics for at least 3-4 weeks to see if they work for you. Acute diarrhea and food intolerances are exceptions to these guidelines.
The short answer: It takes most people 2 to 3 weeks to feel significant benefits when they start taking probiotics. That's because probiotics need time to accomplish their three key goals: increase your good bacteria count, decrease your bad bacteria count, and reduce inflammation.
However, some patients take probiotics and feel even worse. Symptoms can include cramping, gassiness, diarrhea, fatigue, and even brain fog or memory problems. Often these symptoms intensify just after a meal.
It's absolutely OK to take multiple probiotic supplements at the same time, says Singh. But you may want to look into trying supplements with different strains to target various needs within the gut. * Otherwise, taking just one multistrain probiotic supplement will serve the same purpose.
Seeing as acid is stimulated by consumption of food, it is thought that taking probiotics on an empty stomach (mainly first thing in the morning) is better because there is less residual acid in the stomach.
No interactions were found between Probiotic Formula and Vitamin B12. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Although vitamin C and probiotics offer different benefits for gut health and immunity, they complement each other well, meaning they're safe to take together.
Tips to Maximize the Health Benefits of Probiotics
Take your probiotics in the morning, 15-30 minutes before food. You want to take them before food so they don't get stuck in the stomach behind the food as they make their way down to your intestines where they do their best work. Drink a glass of filtered water first.
If you're taking a live strain probiotic supplement, "ideally you want to take them 20 minutes after you eat, first thing in the morning or right before bedtime," Greenfield says. "This allows more of the probiotics to get into the large intestines where they will have the most benefits.
Try to drink a big glass of filtered water either just before or as you're taking your probiotic, so you can dilute your stomach acids and give your good guys that much more of a fighting chance to make it to your intestines alive.