Probiotics
Patient Counselling
Indication:
Inform patient that there is no good evidence to support the use of probiotics in chronic constipation. Current, using probiotics is still experiment.
Some products can also be expensive but if it is safe for that particular patient who is adamant on trying it, probiotics do have a good safety profile.
What are probiotics? (Important to explain to the patient what exactly probiotics are)
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can give the host a health benefit if taken at a certain amount.1 Probiotics can be in pill form or in foods. Some food examples include yogurts, cheeses, and milk based beverages.
What are the safety concerns with probiotics?
Probiotics in foods and pills are looked after by Health Canada to ensure safety. Refer the patient to the Health Canada’s website for more information.
The use of probiotics is cautioned in patients with an impaired immune system. Also, taking probiotics with antibiotics may decrease the effects of the antibiotics. Inform the patient to separate these two medications for about 2 hours.
Storage:
Always check the labels for the expiry date and use before this date. Otherwise, the probiotic may not work as well. Inform the patient to store the probiotics as stated in the bottle, as some probiotics need to be kept in the refrigerator vs. room temperature.
Specific instructions will be given depending on the strains or combinations of strains of probiotics. However, these instructions are more or less the same with most probiotics.
Example: Lactobacillus
What is it?
Dietary supplement and probiotic
Safety:
Do not use if you have an allergy to Lactobacillus or any other part of the drug (e.g. non-medicinal ingredients). Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, itching, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, swelling of face, lips, or throat.
How does it work?
It can help keep balance of bacteria and yeast in the gastrointestinal tract.
How do you take?
Pill or capsule:
Take with or without food but can take with food if upset stomach occurs.
Do not break. Swallow whole. You may sprinkle the contents on the food if you do not chew it.
Chewable tablet:
Chew or crush the tablet. Do not swallow whole. Can sprinkle the crushed contents on food.
Granules: Mix with food or milk
Powder:
Do not take with food. Take probiotics 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Mix with water
Missed dose:
Take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the next time you are scheduled to take it. Continue taking the probiotic as usual.
Do not take extra doses
Precautions:
Caution if lactose-intolerant. Talk to your doctor
Side effects: Gas
Storage:
Follow instructions carefully
Inform patient that there is no good evidence to support the use of probiotics in chronic constipation. Current, using probiotics is still experiment.
Some products can also be expensive but if it is safe for that particular patient who is adamant on trying it, probiotics do have a good safety profile.
What are probiotics? (Important to explain to the patient what exactly probiotics are)
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can give the host a health benefit if taken at a certain amount.1 Probiotics can be in pill form or in foods. Some food examples include yogurts, cheeses, and milk based beverages.
What are the safety concerns with probiotics?
Probiotics in foods and pills are looked after by Health Canada to ensure safety. Refer the patient to the Health Canada’s website for more information.
The use of probiotics is cautioned in patients with an impaired immune system. Also, taking probiotics with antibiotics may decrease the effects of the antibiotics. Inform the patient to separate these two medications for about 2 hours.
Storage:
Always check the labels for the expiry date and use before this date. Otherwise, the probiotic may not work as well. Inform the patient to store the probiotics as stated in the bottle, as some probiotics need to be kept in the refrigerator vs. room temperature.
Specific instructions will be given depending on the strains or combinations of strains of probiotics. However, these instructions are more or less the same with most probiotics.
Example: Lactobacillus
What is it?
Dietary supplement and probiotic
Safety:
Do not use if you have an allergy to Lactobacillus or any other part of the drug (e.g. non-medicinal ingredients). Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, itching, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, swelling of face, lips, or throat.
How does it work?
It can help keep balance of bacteria and yeast in the gastrointestinal tract.
How do you take?
Pill or capsule:
Take with or without food but can take with food if upset stomach occurs.
Do not break. Swallow whole. You may sprinkle the contents on the food if you do not chew it.
Chewable tablet:
Chew or crush the tablet. Do not swallow whole. Can sprinkle the crushed contents on food.
Granules: Mix with food or milk
Powder:
Do not take with food. Take probiotics 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Mix with water
Missed dose:
Take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the next time you are scheduled to take it. Continue taking the probiotic as usual.
Do not take extra doses
Precautions:
Caution if lactose-intolerant. Talk to your doctor
Side effects: Gas
Storage:
Follow instructions carefully