Do I need to take a probiotic supplement with tetracycline?

Question

I heard you need to because tetracycline and other antibiotics destroy the good bacteria too. But, I don't see much about this when I do a google search. Does anyone know? And details if possible (where to get it, how often, etc.) Thanks.

Answer 1

You should always take a probiotic with an anti-biotic.

Many people take a probiotic daily anyways since in a traditional diet you don't get a lot through food sources.

Probiotics are the good bacteria in your gut. Antibiotics throw off your intestinal flora by killing the good bacteria.

You can get Acidophilus at any pharmacy or grocery store, ask the pharmacist if you can not find it.

For future refrence a few foods that contain probiotics are Kefir, Raw Milk, REAL Yogurt, Kambucha.

Answer 2

Yes you should take probiotics with your antibiotic to replenish the "good" bacteria in your body. If you are going to purcahse a probiotic supplement the best bet would be a multi-probiotic. (There are very few strains in yogurt.) You should be taking a probiotic supplement while and after you take the antibiotic to replace the beneficial bacteria in your system.  You can purchase a multi-strain product online from www.nutri-health.com.

Answer 3

Yes you should!

Tetracycline is an antibiotic, which kills bacteria.  The thing is, your body has both bad bacteria (which the antibiotics are supposed to kill), and good bacteria.  So, antibiotics kill both the good and the bad.  Probiotics replenish the good bacteria.

The good bacteria helps with immune system, digestion, vaginal health, etc.  It's found in the small intestine, and v****a.  It helps ward off the bad bacteria, and should be present in your body at all times.

You can get probiotic supplements at any health food stores.  They are usually kept refrigerated, but due to technology, companies are starting to make shelf-stable probiotics.  Make sure you get a probiotic supplement with DDS-1 Lactobacillus Acidophilus (most common good bacteria found in the gut).  As well, make sure it has a prebiotic in it, or taken with it.  The prebiotic is almost like a food for the probiotic.  Most companies put it in the same capsule, and would be called FOS (fructooligosaccharides).  You can also get prebiotics by food sources (inulin fibre), such as asparagus, garlic, Jerusalem Artichokes, and chicory root.

With these supplements, you can take them every day.  It will be outlined on the bottle.

If you don't want to take supplements, you can also eat kefir, and yogurt.  They both have naturally occurring probiotics in them.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

All you have to do is to eat plain unsweetened yogurt.

get one of the lower fat ones eat about 1/2 cup three times a day.

Price does not mean it is good you  just want to be sure that nothing was added any flavouring. sugar / fruit. as that will kill off the bacteria that is in it.

you can mix fruit /honey/ and or nuts in it but if you do you have to eat it within 20 Min's before the "good bacteria" dies

doing this will prevent or replace the bacteria in your gut.

Answer 5

Tetracycline is a fairly powerful antibiotic, so as with all antibiotics, the answer is a most definite "Yes!", you should take a probiotic supplement.  Antibiotics, unfortunately, fall under the "Kill 'em all and let God separate 'em..." school of germ warfare.  There is no antibiotic at present which can target non-beneficial bacteria ONLY in the gut, so you will literally have to rebuild the 4-4 1/2lbs of beneficial bacteria colonies in your gut when you're done with whatever course of antibiotics your doc chooses with or for you.  

With Tetracycline, you also need to be very careful of your exposure to the sun.  It ways ups your level of photosensitivity.  You also need to be aware that it can cause your teeth to discolor as well, so you might want to have a chat w/ your PCP to see if there's a better choice or if this course of tetracycline is truly imperative.