Gut Resilience During Antibiotics (AAD prevention)

Adults/kids using systemic antibiotics (consult pediatrician for children).

gut
antibiotics
probiotics
reduce risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD)

Core stack

Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745
A

Dose: 250–500 mg twice daily (or 5–10 billion CFU/day)

Start within 24 h of first antibiotic dose; continue through course and 3–7 days after

Antibiotic course + short tail

Why: Consistent evidence for reducing AAD risk in adults and children.

Cautions
  • Avoid in immunocompromised or central line patients (rare fungemia)
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103)
A (pediatrics), B (adults)

Dose: 10–20 billion CFU/day

Separate from antibiotics by ≥2–3 h

Antibiotic course + 3–7 days

Why: Reduces risk/duration of AAD in multiple trials.

Not recommended

  • Unspecified ‘multi-strain’ probiotics without documented strains/doses: Strain-specific effects; lack of evidence for generic blends.

Monitoring

  • Stool frequency/consistency
  • Signs of C. difficile—seek care if severe