Probiotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 14, 2025.

What are other common names?

• B. bifidum
• Bifidobacterium adolescentis
• Bifidobacterium animalis
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Bifidobacterium infantis
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Bifidobacterium longum
• Enterococcus faecium
• L. bifidus
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus bifidus
• Lactobacillus bulgaricus
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus helveticus
• Lactobacillus paracasei
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
• Saccharomyces boulardii
• Streptococcus salivarius
• Streptococcus thermophilus
• Bifidobacteria
• Indian Yogurt
• Sour Milk
• VSL-3
• Yogurt

What is this product used for?

Probiotics are kinds of bacteria that normally live in the stomach and gut of healthy people.

This product helps with gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome and loose stools caused by infections or antibiotics. It may also help decrease hard, lumpy stools in healthy people. It is also used for other health problems like high blood pressure as well as infections of the sinuses and the vagina. Some people may use it to help with a certain type of fatty liver disease. Probiotics are used to promote general bowel health and well-being.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with other drugs or natural products.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• This product may not work as well if you are taking drugs to treat an infection.

• Take extra care if you are at a high risk for infection. This includes people who have had a transplant, are on chemo, have an autoimmune disease, or in infants born prematurely.

• Do not use this product in infants who are very sick.

• Do not use this product if you have pancreas problems.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Cancer or weak immune system

  • Pancreatitis

  • Recently had surgery

  • Gut or bowel damage

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• Stomach cramps

• Bloating

• Gas

• Problems with taste

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or pain.

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

Last Reviewed Date

2024-07-01

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