Probiotics can prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics
Mostly trueThe Claim
Many people take a probiotic alongside a course of antibiotics, believing it lowers the chance of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Origin
Antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria, and doctors and pharmacists often suggest probiotics to protect the gut during treatment.
What Science Says
A Cochrane review of 33 trials in children (6,352 participants) found diarrhea in 8% of probiotic users versus 19% of controls (RR 0.45; moderate certainty), with high doses (at least 5 billion CFU/day) working best. A meta-analysis of 36 trials in adults (9,312 participants) found a 38% lower risk (RR 0.62) with no increase in adverse events. Benefits depend on strain and dose, and severely immunocompromised patients were largely not studied.
Verdict
Mostly True