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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is loose, frequent stools that can follow a course of antibiotics, which disturb helpful gut bacteria and let opportunistic microbes overgrow. The evidence is strongest for the probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus GG, and human trials of Lactobacillus acidophilus, paired with other Lactobacillus strains, found people had diarrhea less often. That acidophilus evidence is moderate and rests on two studies, while kefir, prebiotics, glutamine and zinc have only limited support.

Sources: PMID 29702133

Supplements studied
2
Graded outcomes
1
Trials
2
People studied
148

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

2 supplements

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus: outcomes studied for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Risk

Multiple human trials demonstrate L. acidophilus, often in combination with other Lactobacillus strains, reduces the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A systematic assessment of evidence for a specific probiotic combining L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus supported primary prevention of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in antibiotic users.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect2 studies500 people

Studies that measured antibiotic-associated diarrhea risk

Lactobacillus reuteri

Lactobacillus reuteri: outcomes studied for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)4 studies23 people

Studies that measured diarrhea symptoms

and 1 more on the Lactobacillus reuteri page

Key findings

  • Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea RiskLactobacillus acidophilusImproves (the measure goes down)

The Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Prevention & Treatment protocol

2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Fullscript collectionGut and digestion: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

Or shop one supplement

The supplement graded A or B for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD). Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.

  • Grade B

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Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

  1. A randomized clinical trial measuring the influence of kefir on antibiotic-associated diarrhea: the measuring the influence of Kefir (MILK) StudyArch Pediatr Adolesc Med · PMID 19652108

Supplement stack for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)