If you’ve ever found yourself rushing to the bathroom with diarrhea because of antibiotics, you’re not alone. This common side effect can be avoided or stopped with the help of the right probiotics for diarrhea to help rebalance your gut microbiome.
Despite the worry that taking probiotics while on antibiotic therapy is pointless because the antibiotics will kill the good bacteria, this isn’t true. The key is WHEN you take probiotics for diarrhea, AND taking the right probiotic supplements that are clinically shown to slow the gut down and get you back to normal.
Let’s explore how to use probiotic supplements effectively during antibiotic treatment, and which specific strain of probiotics will get you the best, fastest results.
Why You Can Get Diarrhea Because of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are powerful medications designed to kill off harmful bacteria causing infection in your body. However, they often don't discriminate between bad bacteria and the beneficial ones living in your gut microbiome.
This disruption in your gut microbiome can cause:
- Frequent, loose stools (aka. Diarrhea – which is more common)
- Constipation (less common)
- Gas and bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Reduced nutrient absorption
Since loose stools are more common, the diarrhea because of antibiotics is triggered within a day or so of starting a course of the medication. Sometimes the diarrhea will persist even after you finish the antibiotics.
In some cases, this imbalance can lead to a dangerous overgrowth of harmful microbes like Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which can cause severe and persistent diarrhea which requires medical attention.
Why You Need Probiotics for Diarrhea Support
Your gut microbiome is a delicate balance of many different types of organisms that can directly impact gut function (ie. diarrhea vs constipation).
When you experience diarrhea because of antibiotics, it’s important to start on probiotic supplements as soon as possible. It’s also okay to start them if you begin to experience changes in your stool.
Taking the right probiotic supplements during and after antibiotic therapy serves a few purposes:
- maintain and replenish the beneficial bacteria in your gut
- prevents/stops dreaded gut microbiome side effects
- supports your gut bacteria to keep candida in check
Research supports the use of probiotics for diarrhea, particularly strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and various Lactobacillus species, which have been shown to reduce the risk and severity of diarrhea because of antibiotics.
Choosing the Right Probiotic Supplements
Not all probiotic supplements are created equal. Some strains are more resilient and better suited to survive alongside antibiotics.
Typically a diverse blend of bacteria in probiotic supplements is more helpful than choosing a single strain. One exception to this rule is Saccharomyces boulardii, which we’ll talk about next.
Here’s what to look for high-quality probiotic supplements if you’ve got diarrhea because of antibiotics:
- 10+ Bacterial strains: A blend of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains is helpful moreso than fixating on one single bacteria strain.
- Spore-based strains: Spore-based bacteria can be extremely helpful stopping diarrhea because of antibiotics.
- Key strain to stop diarrhea: Saccharomyces boulardii isn’t your run-of-the-mill probiotic. It’s a yeast-based strain clinically shown to help slow things down.
- High potency: Probiotic supplements with a high CFU count help ensure effectiveness. Unless you have small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), look for 50 to 80 billion CFUs per serving.
- Timing of doses: Take probiotics at least 2 hours away from antibiotics to reduce the risk of inactivation.
Saccharomyces Boulardii: A Star Player For Diarrhea
One of the most helpful probiotic supplements for diarrhea because of antibiotic is gut microbiome-friendly yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii. S. boulardii has been extensively studied for its ability to:
- Reduce the risk of diarrhea because of antibiotics
- Support gut lining
- Block bad bacteria overgrowth
- Help keep candida overgrowth in check
- Because it’s not a bacterial strain, antibiotics can’t kill it—making it the ideal companion when taking antibiotics. And yes, you can take it with other probiotic supplements (even at the same time).
Why Spore-Based Probiotic Supplements Are Helpful
Most people don’t realize the benefits of spore-based probiotic supplements that can make a huge improvement in slowing your gut down once diarrhea because of antibiotics is triggered.
Clinical research on MegaSporeBiotic demonstrates that this spore-based probiotics:
- Supports a balanced gut microbiome
- May increase microbial diversity in the gut by 40%
- May be helpful during antibiotic therapy
- May increase short-chain fatty acids by 40%
- Shown in clinical studies to support comfortable digestion
While spore-based probiotic strains tend not to populate your gut after taking them, research indicates that they support shifting your gut microbiome in a positive way by up to 40%.
A fantastic blend of spore-based probiotic strains are found in MegaSporeBiotic which can also help support your gut microbiome. And they can be taken at the same time as S. boulardii.
Gut Microbiome Recovery After Antibiotics
Once you finish your antibiotic course, it’s time to rebuild your gut microbiome.
Some helpful steps include:
- Continuing probiotic supplementation for at least 4-8 weeks post-antibiotics
- Adding prebiotic fibers to your diet (from FODMAP-rich foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, and berries)
- Add in bone broth to soothe your gut with important nutrient like collagen
- Calm the gut down with immunoglobulins which can bind to toxins in the gut and support gut barrier function
NutraQuell’s HistaGut Relief IgG is a strategic addition to your gut recovery protocol, harnessing the power of immunoglobulins to:
- Soothe inflammation
- Bind to toxins produced in your gut from unfriendly gut bugs
- Fortify gut barrier
- Improves stool consistency
- Support normal digestion and absorption
What’s great is that HistaGut Relief IgG pairs well with all types of probiotic supplements, and can be taken at the same time. It’s a more potent form of immunoglobulins compared to colostrum.
You can also take HistaGut Relief IgG during a course of antibiotics so it can bind to toxins released in your gut. It’s good to know that it will not bind to or block your antibiotics at all!
TIP: Take immunoglobulins with an extra 8-12oz of water to help keep your gut hydrated.
Tips to Prevent Antibiotic and Diarrhea Issues
Though it’s common to experience diarrhea because of antibiotics, that doesn’t make it normal. Diarrhea can not only be a significant annoyance, but it can also be uncomfortable, cause dehydration and poor nutrient absorption.
To minimize the risk of digestive upset while taking antibiotics, keep these tips in mind:
- Take your probiotics for diarrhea at least 2 hours away from your antibiotic dose(s)
- Stay hydrated and add immunoglobulins to help flush and bind toxins
- Eat gut-friendly foods like bone broth, cooked veggies (not raw), and fermented foods like yogurt (as tolerated)
- Avoid spicy foods, sugar and alcohol
And if you find yourself struggling with side effects like diarrhea because of antibiotics, alert your pharmacist and doctor especially if your stool becomes very watery and loose.
Final Thoughts on Probiotic Supplements and Gut Health
While it’s normal to have concerns about taking antibiotics because you’re concerned about the impact they’ll have on your gut microbiome, sometimes they’re necessary.
Their impact on your gut microbiome doesn’t have to be permanent. Choosing the right gut-supportive and probiotic supplements can help you reduce or even avoid the miserable effects of diarrhea because of antibiotics.
For those struggling with sensitive digestion, loose stools, or the after-effects of antibiotic use, HistaGut Relief IgG and MegaSporeBiotic offer support.
Don’t wait until you’re desperate and uncomfortable. Protect your gut microbiome while you're on antibiotics and rebuild it after—so you can feel like yourself again, faster.