Many medications can affect your gut, but experts say antibiotics have the most significant impact on the microbiome. While they’re essential for treating bacterial infections, antibiotics don’t just target harmful bacteria—they can also disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut, potentially leading to digestive issues and longer-term changes in gut health.
According to Dr. Pratima Dibba, there’s currently no proven way to fully prevent these microbiome changes while taking antibiotics. While some people turn to probiotics, she notes that they aren’t well-regulated or consistently proven to protect the gut during treatment. Instead, patients should focus on taking medications as prescribed and supporting overall gut health through diet and lifestyle. Understanding how medications impact the microbiome can help you take a more informed, proactive approach to your digestive health.
