What’s the best thing for a person to do after taking antibiotics? If you’re asking that question you’re smarter than the average bear! A lot of people learn the hard way that after taking antibiotics there are certain things that need to be done or some unpleasant results can occur. Problems that can arise after taking antibiotics range from relatively minor nuisances like yeast infections or diarrhea, to more serious conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, to very serious even deadly issues like Clostridium difficile (C-Diff). It’s easy to understand why certain measures are needed after taking antibiotics when you understand what an antibiotic does. Antibiotics really should be avoided if at all possible. The negative effects they have on the body are significant, which I’ll get to, but first let me tell you about your amazing body!
Something magical happens when your body gets sick and then recovers all on its own. That magic is called antibodies! Every time you get sick, whether due to a bacterial or viral infection, the immune system makes antibodies which are like a magic antidote to combat that particular germ. When the body is allowed to do what God designed it to do, the body develops a natural immunity to whatever bacteria and viruses have made it sick. Over time a person becomes immune to all kinds of things. This is especially exciting for mothers of babies. The more developed a mom’s “antibody profile” is, the better her babies will be protected for about a year, if the baby is breastfed.
Guess what the body does when an antibiotic is used to fight the infection. Nothing. No magic. The body is just as vulnerable to the virus or bacteria that made it sick as it was before. No immunity is developed when antibiotics are used. So the best choice for long term health is not to use antibiotics. I recently read a great story here about a mom’s experience with strep throat. This mom has some compelling reasons not to use antibiotics for strep throat. Check out this cool video on how these antibodies work!
Antibiotics Kill a Very Important Organ!
So what do antibiotics do? They kill bacteria. (Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, so if your infection is viral, antibiotics will not help.) Doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria which cause illness. The big problem with antibiotics is that it kills off the good bacteria too, the microflora that we all have and our bodies need to function properly. Today the gut flora is viewed as an actual organ on our bodies. There are 10 times as many of these good bacteria on the body than cells in the body! The cumulative weight of these microbes is heavier than the brain. These little guys get no respect but do some really amazing and important jobs in the body. The gut flora is responsible for breaking down certain carbohydrates. Often when a person is “lactose intolerant” or has a lot of gas associated with beans, the root issue is that there are not enough of these good guys to break down the carbs in the milk or beans. The gut flora also helps in the absorption of minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Absorption of vitamin K and even water, production of vitamins like folate and biotin, cancer prevention, protection from infections of yeast and C-Diff, allergy prevention, increased energy levels, decreased obesity, prevention of irritable bowl syndrome and even colitis are all functions of the good bacteria in the intestines.
It is also important to understand that these good guys don’t just live in the gut. There are good bacteria everywhere on the body. I have only given you some of the jobs they do in the gut, but there are all kinds of important functions outside of the gut performed by the good bacteria. The diversity of these microbes is continually being discovered. After antibiotics have done their damage, the team of good guy flora has taken a serious beating. Can you see how HUGE this is to health?
Before I write about what to do after taking antibiotics, I want to emphasize just how serious antibiotic use is. There are times when antibiotics are needed, however they’re over-used and abused much too often. The focus should be to work on being healthy so the immune system is strong and capable. Having a doctor who knows how to treat illness without antibiotics, by helping your body do what it’s designed to do, is very important. If all a doctor knows is to say, “This will have to run its course,” or to write a prescription for a drug, the patient is not getting real healthcare. I call this “drugs or nothing” mentality disease-care, not health care.
So, what can be done when antibiotics have done their damage on the good flora our bodies need? I hope I’ve made it abundantly clear that after taking antibiotics it is really important to restore the good flora to the body! That’s what needs to happen. There are four categories to the subject of restoring the good microbes.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are food for the good microbes. Prebiotics are important after antibiotics to give the new good microbes lots of good nutrition so they multiply well. Understanding how important these good microbes are makes including prebiotics in the diet on a regular basis a smart practice. Prebiotics are things like inulin and oligofructose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and other oligosaccharides. There are supplements that contain really high doses of this stuff and there are foods that have prebiotics in them. Foods like asparagus, burdock, chicory, dandelion root, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks, onions, grains, legumes, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, radish and rutabaga are all good sources. Cooking these foods, however, reduces the prebiotic content. I recommend using a high quality prebiotic supplement after antibiotics, in addition to diet, to get the good microbes off to a good start. Then once the body has had about a month to get a good start on the good microbes, focus on keeping the prebiotics in the diet through food. If you look at the list of foods that are high in prebiotics and think that you will not eat very much, especially raw, a great way to get many of them on a daily basis is with Greens First.
Probiotics From Supplements
Probiotics are the actual good microbes that live in and on us. There are thousands of different types of these microbes. Some of the most well-known probiotics are lactobacillus, bifidobacteria and saccharomyces boulardii. There are over 50 kinds of lactobacilli. The diversity of these microbes seems to cause many different effects in humans. Research on types of good microbes and their effects is on-going. For example, some of the health benefits discovered that are linked to the different lactobacilli are treating and/or preventing yeast infections, urinary tract infection, irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-related diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, diarrhea resulting from Clostridium difficile, treating lactose intolerance, skin disorders (fever blisters, eczema, acne, and canker sores), and prevention of respiratory infections.
There are around 30 kinds of bifidobacteria. These microbes are the first to show up in a healthy baby’s colon. One of the biggest benefits to breastfeeding is all the great flora the the mom gives the baby through breast milk. The different benefits associated with bifidobacteria are treating and/or preventing irritable bowel syndrome, dental cavities, improved blood lipids, and blood sugar tolerance.
Saccharomyces boulardii has been studied extensively especially for use with the diarrhea that often comes after antibiotics. This stuff makes it through the acid in the stomach and gets to multiplying right away. Saccharomyces boulardii does not require refrigeration so as a supplement it is very convenient and practical. Some of the other benefits with saccharomyces boulardii are preventing and treating diarrhea associated traveler’s diarrhea. It has also been reported to prevent the re-occurrence of Clostridium difficile, to treat acne, and to reduce side effects of antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori.
This is one category in which it would be wise to seek professional advice before starting supplementation. The time after antibiotics is a very good time to take a probiotic supplement. Choosing the right supplement is critical to a good outcome. Too often people go to the store and buy something and it doesn’t work. Sometimes it’s easy to choose the appropriate natural supplement and sometimes it is really quite complex to figure out what is right for you. There are many factors that you would probably never think of. Besides the actual type of probiotic in the supplement, there are factors like how many are in it, which prebiotics are in it, and what are the inactive ingredients. Sometimes a supplement can do more harm than good. A professional who works with supplements all the time is not only able to know whether the ingredients on the label are good, but also if it actually works. To help with choosing the right probiotic I have created a Probiotic Buying Guide. You can download the guide HERE.
Probiotics From Food
Adding to the microbe portfolio of the body is always a great thing especially after taking antibiotics. There are some real surprises in this category. Everyone knows that yogurt can be a good source of probiotics. Good old Consumer Reports did a great investigation of yogurts, which you can read HERE. Basically all the yogurts tested pretty well on the amount of probiotics in them. Some of the surprising foods that are great sources of probiotics are sauerkraut, dark chocolate, spirulina, chorella, Miso soup, sour pickles, some cheeses like gouda, kefir, sourdough bread and tempeh. How about the fact that dark chocolate and pickles could be considered “health foods”? 😉 I’ll go ahead and put in another plug for Greens First here. It has several different kinds of probiotics and probiotic foods, and is a tasty and really easy way to hit a homerun on probiotics.
Probiotics From Fecal Transplants
Yes, you read that right. I was just as surprised when I discovered that today some patients are receiving fecal transplants. Obviously fecal transplant is not a procedure that is done routinely after taking antibiotics. These are people who after taking antibiotics went from bad to worse. What is amazing to me is how this treatment shows just how important the gut flora is to health. In a world where we can give someone a new hip or heart we can’t figure out a better way to give someone healthy gut flora.
A Healthier You
I hope this has been helpful in your understanding of antibiotic use, the immune system, the good flora in the body, and how important it is to restore these beneficial microbes after antibiotics are used. Keeping the body and its immune system healthy through good nutrition, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and exercise, is the best way to fight illness. Knowing what nutrients are key to fighting infection and illness is critical if you’re going to avoid the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics should be a last resort, but if they are necessary, restoring and nourishing the body’s beneficial microbes through pre-biotics and pro-biotics after taking antibiotics is essential. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, and am happy to assist you in achieving a healthier you!
Good Info! Thanks
Thank you, Dr. Darrell.
The information here is very helpful in helping make healthful choices. I am enjoying the Greens First products. Appreciate your efforts to go beyond an office visit for your patients.
I am taking antibiotics right now for strep throat, now I know how to get myself completely healthy afterwords. Thanks doc!
I always KNEW that dark chocolate was good for me! Now I have an even better excuse to eat it! 😉
My doctor just put me on two weeks of antibiotics for Lyme disease. No comment about the potential damage to my gut flora. No suggestions for a post treatment diet. Are the billions that are made selling and peddling antibiotics too good to just suggest a non-prescription and natural post-treatment protocol? Is the average PCP just clueless with his AMA/Big Pharma based education?
Thank you for a very clear and comprehensive article on the subject. It has made me much more confident about my long term chances for recovery.
Well Ron I don’t know about your PCP. I’m glad your taking the initiative to get yourself healthy. Thanks for commenting. If you need some advice in the future just let me know!
I recently took some heavy duty IV antibiotics for an infection on my arm that turned out to be MRSA. The problem is I’m supposed to be going to Costa Rica for a couple of months now and I’m scared my immune system won’t fight off any infections now that my body has been stripped of all good bacteria and antibodies. How long does it take to build your immune system up after taking heavy duty antibiotics and should I be worried about traveling to Costa Rica now that I have? Thanks!
Hi Katie,
I think you should let me go to Costa Rica for you just to be safe! 😉
There are a lot of moving parts to really answer your question. I need a complete history and testing to tell you for sure.
Either way get a big variety of pro and prebiotics.
I am concerned that you had MRSA. Often that is a warning sign that the immune system is not working very well. I can help you long distance if you would like. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Hi, one of my best friends is Bunny Peterson, she thought I should email you for some advice. I appreciate you reviewing this. I have been suffering headaches for over a year. They are pretty much daily now or every other day. My physician has pretty much figured out that it is migranes caused by arthritis in my neck and shoulders, triggering a nerve in my head, left side over my eye and at the back of my head, left side. I was hit by a semi several years ago-PT for neck and back pain, headaches for a year. Might have set up the arthritis. I am taking aleve, pepsid and a muscle relaxer, sometimes it works sometimes not. I emailed Bunny and Wayne to ask about Plexus my husband has been searching the Internet looking for something for relief for me. I think I should just go to a naturalist and take some anti inflammatory herbs or medications. Thoughts? Thanks, Lorna
Hi Lorna,
I see people with your story all the time and they get great relief. I recommend that you seek out a chiropractor that uses the Activator technique. This will not be hard to do as it is very common. Also you would benefit from massage from someone who understands myofascial release, myofascial trigger points and preferably someone who works with headache patients often.
As far as the anti inflammatory herbs I could help you from here if I could get blood work. In your situation however what I described above should provide excellent relief.
If you have other questions feel free to use the contact page on this website and I will be happy to help.
Thanks I appciate it, I see my physician today
My friends son at birth was on iv antibiotics for two weeks from birth. Baby takes lots of raw probiotics. Still gets sick on a monthly basis. Baby is now 9 months old. Still breastfeeding, mom is very healthy and so is baby. Eats lots of bone broth, raw vegetables, no processed foods. She has not used antibiotics at all since the hospital forced her at birth. Baby gifts colds with herbs…but still gets sick a lot. Do you have any thoughts on building immune system?
Hi Kristie,
I’d start with trying to figure out what the problem is. A stool analysis to see if the current probiotics are helping would be a good place to start.
Hi,
Recently I was hospitalized for two staph infections in my bones that were a result of a fusion surgery on my big toe. I was on IV antibiotics in the hospital and then at home. One was Vancomycin. I was allergic to that and put on Cubicin. They were so hard on my system and I’ve had a lot of side effects. My doctor said the white spots in the back of my throat are yeast. I have the same spots vaginally. My stomach and gut were really upset by all this. Probably due to the Osteomyelitis and the antibiotics. I’ve also had so much trouble with constipation. I also have IBS with constipation. I thought after some reading that probiotics would be helpful. I bought some and have only taken two so far and now the nausea is worse and from what I read that can happen until your body gets used to them. The bottle says take one a day. I started yesterday morning and took another one last night and this morning. I read that sometimes you need two a day when recovering from these antibiotics. Maybe I’ll switch to just one a day at night. Now I have read that I might also need a prebiotic. I just am not sure what to do. I’ve been sick and in pain since the beginning of June. I just want to feel better. I’m hopeful that if I stick this out it will help. The one I’m taking now is called Ultimate Flora 50 billion.
Hi Annette,
I hear this story often. I know how frustrating this can be. I can help! Instead of continuing to try one thing after another it’s time to get some objective information on you and find out exactly what’s going on and what you need to help. Please read my articles on IBS http://www.darrellkilcupdc.com/2015/09/what-causes-irritable-bowel-syndrome/. I can help you get through this even though you may not live near enough to physically see me. I have helped many patients with your problem across the US and I would love to help you. Do you have any other questions?
hello doc, thank you for your info. i have been battling with post nasal drip for some time now. i have taken some ant
ibiotics but it seem not to go. sometimes i get funny smell from my mouth due to this condition. please, what do i do
Hi Leslie,
From what you’ve shared it’s hard to know what to tell you. If the antibiotics didn’t help it probably isn’t a sinus infection. You could have a neck problem or an intestinal problem.
Hi Doc,
I was just browsing the internet for some good advice and found your article. I took antibiotics for Gerd and Gastritis which my Doc said is due to Hpylori bacteria. However after completing that 2week antibiotic I’ve always been sick and they can’t find anything saying it was only a post nasal drip or URTI and even dose me with another antibiotic. Could this be that my immune system has been damage due to these antibiotics?
Thanks for your reply.
It sure could be Mae. What test did the doc do to determine that your problem was H Pylori?
I’ve had an endoscopy and some blood test late January. And according to them I had those bacteria and gave me almost 3000mg of antibiotics for two weeks.
Hi Doc, Had been sick for years due to rampant use of antibiotics. definitely have candida. For many years have been on accupuncture and herbs to help put into balance. Still have sinus problems, My question is I need dental treatment, extraction and eventually implant, which could not be done without taking an antibiotics. My accupuncturist told me that my body is much stronger and I can tolerate them better. I have to take them for my dental procedure. Do you think I will be okay and would like to hear from you what I should do. Is it possible to talk to you. I can call you at your convenience is you wish.
Hi Jennifer,
I can’t answer your question without all the details and testing. I can help you but I need you to fill out the functional medicine form: https://form.jotform.com/62988256034161 and attach the lab work that has been done. Once I go over everything we can meet over the phone/internet and talk about what you need. http://darrellkilcupdc.com/work-with-me/.
I wish there was a quick easy way to get the kinds of answers you need.
Great article!! Thank you so much!! Question if you don’t mind…
7 weeks ago I was on antibiotics for a skin infection. For weeks prior I have been having chronic post nasal drip. Antibiotic helped the skin infection. Continued with the post nasal drip which 5 weeks later had turned into a sinus infection. Put on another antibiotic for that. I wasn’t thinking until now (bc now I’m dealing with ileocecal valve issues, low back pain, very low energy, headaches, loose stool, not digesting food entirely, neck, shoulder and hip pain, post nasal drip again, flu like, etc..) but I didn’t put myself on probiotics. It’s been 3 weeks since my last course antibiotics… will my low bacteria issue be harder to deal with since its weeks later? Is there a different approach I should have for dealing with this later rather than right away?? Could this have developed into something permanent.. leaky gut? Ibs? Food intolerances?
Thanks in advance!!!
Hi Andrea,
You most likely have something along those lines. It’s a good bet that probiotics are needed. If the probiotics don’t resolve the problems I strongly recommend getting some help. With proper testing and treatment these kinds of problems get better relatively easily, but just throwing random treatments at it prolong the problem and make it harder to fix.
Yes, I went through regimens of powerful antibiotics to get rid of C-diff. I was highly allergic to those drugs which have now left me allergic to almost everything. I’ve had Bell’s Palsy, pneumonia, and sinus infection, influenza A which brought on inner and middle ear infection, to mention a few. So, can you recommend a good probiotic? Thanks, Grace
Hi Grace,
Given what you have gone through I strongly recommend a comprehensive stool analysis to find out exactly what you need. Here is an interview I did about that: http://darrellkilcupdc.com/2017/03/comprehensive-stool-analysis/
Could you please recommend a good topical antibiotic for cuts etc. I am trying to avoid any oral antibiotics. Thank you in advance for your understanding and professional knowledge sharing.
Hi Steve,
This is not something I deal with in my practice. I will defer to other professionals who have lots of experience in this area.
Sorry I couldn’t help more
I have taken 3 antibiotics recently, after being found out having H Pylori. Now, I’m having a very bad chronic sore throat. I’m desperate to find a cure for this. I wonder if you accept phone consultation. Thank you.
Hi Matthew,
I’d be happy to meet with you via phone. I do help people all over the USA. http://darrellkilcupdc.com/about/virtual-care/
Great article Dr. Kilcup! I agree, I think antibiotics are prescribed way too often and that is just one of many causes of why so many people have leaky gut. I think we live in a society where everything is so instant, and we want the quick fix. An antibiotic is easier to take than letting the body heal in a supportive way…or at least it seems easier! Knowledge is power and when we have it it’s great to share it, thank you for your great article!
Your welcome Denise. You are spot on in your comments.
Ok this is good news for me. But I need to know what king of Probiotics would be the right on to take.
I am one who has taken many antibiotics and I’m looking for a good Probiotic can you recommend some for me please…..
Why were you not my science teacher? Thank you for your willingness to tell the truth. It can be very difficult going against the grain, in this case, conventional medicine, esp. today where they make it more and more difficult to get the truth out there.