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The Importance of Starting Probiotics Early When Administering Antibiotics

Antibiotics might be designed to help defend your body against harmful pathogens, but they can also kill the good bacteria in your gut. When all of the good bacteria in your gut is gone, your body can quickly succumb to fast-growing Candida and other harmful pathogens that can wreak havoc on your small intestine and other internal organs. Fortunately, probiotics can help to combat the harmful side effects of long-term antibiotic treatments.

Treating Candida Overgrowth Caused By Extended Use Of Antibiotics

If you have to take a long course of antibiotics, then you should begin taking probiotics when you first start the medicine. The reason for this course of action is simple — antibiotics kill a lot of the bacteria in your digestive system, which effectively clears the path for Candida and other pathogens. Studies show that by taking probiotics you can help to reduce and slow the growth of Candida.

Probiotics can also deliver the following benefits:

  • Assist with the growth of healthy and beneficial bacteria.
  • Balance your digestive system, including your gut.
  • Reduce many of the common side effects that are caused by long-course antibiotic treatments.
  • According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, probiotics can also reduce diarrhea in patients taking certain types of antibiotics.

Reducing The Risk Of C. Difficile Infections

By taking probiotics at the beginning of your antibiotic treatment, you can not only treat Candida overgrowth, but you can also reduce the risk of C. difficile infections. Research shows that C. difficile infections are not only rising, but causing substantial burdens on the United States health-care system. This potentially deadly infection causes more than 20 percent of patients to fail initial antibiotic treatments. C. difficile also caused death in approximately 30,000 patients across the United States in 2011 and continues to be a rising problem in both hospitals and private care facilities.

Fortunately, recently published research shows that taking probiotics during antibiotic treatments can greatly reduce the risk of a C. difficile infection by more than 50 percent. This substantive finding was supported by the researchers via a GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) criteria. Additionally, taking probiotics throughout a course of antibiotics has been shown to reduce the risk of infection in adults with Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) by 44 percent, which subsequently further reduced the risk of C. difficile associated diseases by an impressive 71 percent.

Atkinson’s Pharmacy Can Help

Taking probiotics can greatly reduce the risk of harmful C. difficile infections. They can also minimize the side effects associated with long-term antibiotic treatments. Discovering the right type of probiotics is made easier when you work with a team of experts at Atkinson’s Pharmacy. Atkinson’s Pharmacy is locally owned and operated to help Jacksonville area residents receive the valuable medical services that they need throughout the year. To learn more about what probiotics you should take or to ask an expert any of your other medical questions, contact Atkinson’s Pharmacy team member today.