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Can You Take Probiotics While on Antibiotics?

Linda Girgis | MD

Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 22nd, 2026.

Yes, you can take probiotics while on antibiotics, and it's often recommended. Antibiotics kill both harmful bacteria and beneficial gut bacteria, potentially disrupting your microbiome balance. Taking probiotics during antibiotic treatment helps maintain healthy gut bacteria levels and may reduce side effects like antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which occurs in 10-25% of antibiotic users. The key is timing - take probiotics at least 2-3 hours apart from your antibiotic dose to prevent the antibiotic from killing the probiotic bacteria before they reach your gut. Research shows this approach can reduce diarrhea risk by up to 60% and support faster microbiome recovery after treatment ends.

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