Accorrding to Infectious Disease MD's and Pharmacies, it is fine to take the probiotics together but separate them as Jemma mentioned above. The body needs these probiotics especially at this time, but do read drug labels as some antibiotic cannot be taken with calcium (and in some cases other minerals).
One way around this, the GI MD's are now recommending Saccharyomyces Boulardii (Florastore) as a preventative probiotic against C.diff (an organism that causes contagious diarrhea), two tabs twice a day while on antibiotics, and 3 days prior to surgery as well. This can be taken with antibiotics that say do not take with calcium.
According to the Internet Drug Index they write that to avoid any interaction, to take yogurt at least one hour after ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
It is the calcium that could cause an interaction with this particular antibiotic. As butter, cheese and milk and some other foods also contain calcium, should these be avoided too?
Best thing before taking any type of medication is to read the medication patient information leaflet that usually lists contraindications and what to avoid.
Some antibiotics can cause adverse skin reactions when the skin is exposed to sunshine.
I am going to retract my statement regarding the safety of taking yougurt or any pro-biotic while on the anti-biotics.
I have been discussing this with some very well versed folk, and it is not safe at all. They can actually kill the anti-biotics effectiveness and put you in jeopardy for the infection to cause you to end up in the hospital.
After, and only after, you have finished the course of your anti-biotics and the infection, etc is completely healed/gone, then, it should be OK to take the pro-biotic or yogurt to replace any unfriendly bacteria that was lost.
Please, do not take anything without consulting your pharmacist when you are on anti-biotics, I do not like to sound dramatic, but it could be a matter of life and death.
Forgive my ignorance, please, on my first answer.
Well according to an article called Why Eat Yogurt with Antibiotics?
Last Updated: Aug 16, 2013 | By Erica Wickham, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. The following is an extract.
"Dosage
When on antibiotic therapy, probiotic yogurt should be taken at least two hours after each dose of medication. When the antibiotic treatment has been completed, the probiotic yogurt amount should be doubled or tripled for 10 to 14 days to ensure complete restoration of the intestinal bacterial balance."
It is a well know fact that any antibiotic destroys the natural flora in our guts and natural yogurt is a good way to help to restore that.
It is true that some types of foods like grapefruit should not be eaten when taking some types of antibiotics. Minerals that should be avoided when taking Cipro are iron, calcium, zinc and stomach remedies and also coffee. The antibiotic instructions leaflet does give advice and warnings as to regard to what to avoid, whether it be some types of food, other medications, mineral supplements and also whether to avoid sunshine as this can cause adverse skin reactions.
I have never heard of natural yogurt not being good for anyone (expect those who have an intolerance to lactose and whey). I have been on Cipro and had no problems whatsoever when eating natural live yogurt.
I have also never heard of anyone dying from eating yogurt.
The statement "it is absolutely safe to take yogurt with antibiotics" is false and misleading, with caveats. Certain antibiotics (amoxicillin) may be taken with yogurt. Taking yogurt simultaneously with many other antibiotics will result in a sub-therapeutic level of drug in the bloodstream, causing spread of the infection, with the possibility of death. Two classes of antibiotics that should never be taken with yogurt are the tetracyclines and the quinalones (Cipro being such an example). (Ref: Drugs, 1976 11(1):44-45). The bio-availability of these medications is significantly destroyed. (Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. Nov50: 498-502). The Journal of Infectious diseases (Jan 2011) recommends Cipro as an alternative to intravenous medications (Vancomyacin) for treatment of osteomyelitis. Oral medications are a problem when treating infections of the extremities. If you take yogurt the therapeutic levels in the toe and foot will become non-existant and may result in an out-of-control infection, and amputation of the toes, foot, leg and possibly endocarditis, resulting in a heart valve replacement. Not a happy ending. Cipro has been used with MRSA infections, which, untreated have a 20% mortality. Taking yogurt with Cipro allows the MRSA to spread out of control. In this case imageine a fire just starting. You can put out a match with a cup of water. Once the fire has engulfed the home thousands of gallons of water may be required. With calcium sensitive medications at least three hours should lapse before ingesting calcium products. Inj treating helibactor pylori infections (a leading cause of ulcers) tripple therapy is used. That is to say three antibiotics. Often one of these antibiotics is a tetracycline. Taking yogurt may result in failure of the treatment and an ulcer with an infection resistant to all three antibiotics used in the protocol. Ideally no yogurt or calcium should be ingested during the entire course of antibiotics.
Yes, in fact, you should, this will keep the friendly bacteria in your gut that the antibiotic is removing.
Absolutely, it is good bacteria which is killed by antibiotics along with the bad. You can also take pro-biotic capsules as well.
It is absolutely safe to drink yogurts and other probiotics when taking antibiotics.
Antibiotics can bring on fungal infections like Thrush by destroying the good bacteria that keeps fungal problems in check.
So by drinking and taking probiotics and drinking natural live yogurt will help guard against fungal infection.
Sometimes this does not work, and you may need to have an antifungal medication like Fluconazole to take. Sometimes a doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication for you to take after the course of antibiotics, other times you may be prescribed an antifungal to take at the same time.
Symptoms that could indicate fungal infections are itching, soreness or a white discharge in the genital area and also white patches in the mouth.