Coadministration of Probiotics With Antibiotics

Dosage & Treatment Duration of Probiotics

The suggested probiotic amount for intestinal colonization is ≥5 × 10⁹CFU/day.^[18] Lactobacilli are administered in high numbers, usually 5–10 × 10⁹CFU/day for children and 10–20 × 10⁹CFU/day for adults for ≥5 days.^[2] Dosage of S. boulardii is most often 250–1000 mg daily.^[11,17] At 5–40 × 10⁹CFU/day, L. rhamnosus GG or S. boulardii are most protective against pediatric AAD.^[19] Unlike S. boulardii, the lactobacilli can be inhibited by antibiotics and should be taken at least 2–4 h after the antibiotic dose. Choice of probiotic strains, appropriate dosage and prolonged consumption are necessary for stable benefits.

Probiotics are often prescribed for 1–3 weeks longer than the duration of antibiotic treatment.^[17,101] They should be taken with food because the increased gastric pH is more favorable for the probiotics.

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2012;10(4):407-409. © 2012  Expert Reviews Ltd.