Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Does Not Shorten Antibiotic Duration
This conversation discusses whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG can shorten antibiotic duration. The response clarifies that it does not, but highlights the probiotic's effectiveness in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, based on Pillser's research. Always complete prescribed antibiotics.
Does taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG help shorten the time you need to be on antibiotics?
Does Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG shorten antibiotic duration?
No, there is no evidence that taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) shortens the time you need to take antibiotics.
Antibiotic duration is determined by the type and severity of the infection, the specific antibiotic used, and your body's response to treatment. Probiotics like LGG do not treat the underlying bacterial infection — they are not a substitute for antibiotics.
What the research does show
Based on Pillser's research database, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been studied for a different purpose during antibiotic use:
- Reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD): Pillser has 2 studies on LGG and AAD, both showing beneficial effects1. One meta-analysis found LGG to be the most effective single strain for preventing AAD, with a relative risk ratio of 0.30 (95% CI 0.16–0.5) compared to placebo2.
Key takeaway
Taking LGG alongside antibiotics may help prevent the gastrointestinal side effects (like diarrhea) that often accompany antibiotic use, but it does not allow you to stop antibiotics earlier. It's important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if you start feeling better, to ensure the infection is fully treated and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Footnotes
-
Pillser research database, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Reduced Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea ↩
-
"A practical guide for probiotics applied to the case of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in The Netherlands" (2018), Pillser ↩