Consuming a specific blend of two probiotic strains is associated with fewer and shorter cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Antibiotics are thought to disrupt the balance and diversity of the gut microbiome by eliminating not only the harmful, pathogenic bacteria but also some of the resident beneficial bacteria.^{1, 2} This often results in diarrhea, known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Clinical studies have shown that supplementation with a blend of the Lactobacillus acidophilus, LA-5^® and Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® probiotic strains (hereafter referred to by use of the trademarks LA-5^® and BB-12^®) may be effective at reducing the duration and severity of AAD.^{3, 4}

Antibiotics frequently affect the digestive system

Probiotics may help restore balance to the microbiome, reducing the risk of AAD 

BB-12^® and LA-5^® probiotic strains may reduce the duration of AAD 

A high-quality clinical study investigated the effectiveness of the LA-5^® and BB-12^® probiotic strains at reducing the risk and severity of AAD.³ All participants were given a seven-day course of an oral antibiotic. On the same day that the antibiotics course started, half of the participants were given a placebo and the other half were given a blend of the LA-5^® and BB-12^® probiotic strains. Participants continued with the placebo or probiotic blend for a further seven days after the course of antibiotics was completed.³ 
Only 10.8% of the probiotic group experienced AAD, compared to 15.6% of the placebo group. Further, the duration of the AAD was significantly shorter in the probiotic group (two days) compared to the group who took a placebo (four days).³
Of those participants who did experience AAD, severe diarrhea occurred in 96% of the placebo group, compared to just 31.6% of the probiotics group.³  

Ask your doctor about probiotics when being treated with antibiotics

References 

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