Will a probiotic help get rid of diarrhea? An evidence-based guide to gut health

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one review, antibiotic-associated diarrhea affects up to 30% of patients taking antibiotics, highlighting the frequency of gut microbiome imbalances. This leads many to question: will a probiotic help get rid of diarrhea and restore a healthy balance?. While the answer is nuanced and depends on the cause, targeted probiotic use can be an effective strategy for managing certain types of diarrhea.

Quick Summary

Probiotics, particularly specific strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, can be effective for managing various types of diarrhea by restoring microbial balance. This guide explains how to use these beneficial microorganisms to address antibiotic-associated, infectious, and traveler's diarrhea, noting that the results are strain-specific and individual.

Key Points

Strain-Specific Benefits: Not all probiotics are effective for diarrhea; specific strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG have the most clinical evidence.
Targeted Therapy: Probiotics are most beneficial for certain types of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated, infectious, and traveler's diarrhea, by helping restore gut balance.
Timing is Key: To prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, start taking a probiotic within 48 hours of starting antibiotics and separate the doses by a few hours.
Consult a Doctor: Always talk to a healthcare provider before using probiotics for diarrhea, especially in severe or chronic cases, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding the Gut Microbiome and Diarrhea

Diarrhea often results from an imbalance in the gut's natural bacterial environment, known as the gut microbiome. This delicate ecosystem can be thrown off by various factors, including infections from harmful microorganisms, medication side effects (especially antibiotics), and exposure to new bacteria while traveling.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, or "good bacteria," that, when ingested, can help restore balance to the gut flora. This is achieved through several mechanisms, including competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and attachment sites, producing antimicrobial substances, and modulating the immune system. The effectiveness of a probiotic is not universal and depends heavily on the specific strain and the type of diarrhea being treated.

How Probiotics Help With Different Types of Diarrhea

While not a universal cure, certain probiotic strains have demonstrated effectiveness for specific kinds of diarrhea. Clinical evidence shows the most promising results for the following conditions:

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD): Antibiotics kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, leading to a disruption of the gut microbiome that can cause diarrhea. Studies show that taking specific probiotic strains, like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, during and after antibiotic treatment can significantly reduce the risk and duration of AAD.
Acute Infectious Diarrhea (viral or bacterial): For acute gastroenteritis, often caused by viral infections like rotavirus, certain probiotics have been shown to shorten the duration of diarrhea, particularly in children. Strains like Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus are among the most studied for this purpose.
Traveler's Diarrhea: Exposure to new and unfamiliar microorganisms from food and water while traveling can cause digestive upset. Research suggests that taking probiotics, especially Saccharomyces boulardii, before and during a trip may help reduce the incidence of traveler's diarrhea.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Diarrhea: This severe form of antibiotic-associated diarrhea can be life-threatening. There is evidence that some probiotics, particularly Saccharomyces boulardii, may help prevent C. difficile infection and recurrence.

Key Probiotic Strains for Diarrhea

Not all probiotic strains are created equal. Here are some of the most researched and effective strains for diarrhea:

Saccharomyces boulardii: A beneficial yeast that is highly effective for preventing and treating antibiotic-associated and traveler's diarrhea. As a yeast, it is not affected by antibiotics, making it an excellent choice to take concurrently with antibacterial medication.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG): One of the most-studied bacterial strains, LGG has been shown to reduce the duration of acute diarrhea, especially in children, and aid in preventing AAD.
Bifidobacterium lactis: This bacterium supports overall gut health and can help manage symptoms associated with antibiotic-induced diarrhea and some irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
Lactobacillus casei: Certain strains have been linked to managing childhood diarrhea and digestive disruptions related to antibiotic use.

Comparison of Probiotic Strains for Diarrhea


Strain	Type of Diarrhea	Efficacy Notes
Saccharomyces boulardii	AAD, Traveler's, C. diff	Yeast, unaffected by antibiotics; well-researched for prevention
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG	AAD, Acute Infectious	Effective at reducing duration and preventing AAD, especially in children
Bifidobacterium lactis	AAD, IBS-related	Supports gut barrier and overall health, beneficial for antibiotic-related disruption
Lactobacillus casei	AAD, Acute Infectious	Supports beneficial bacteria growth, evidence for managing childhood diarrhea

How to Take Probiotics for Diarrhea

To maximize effectiveness, the timing and form of your probiotic are important:

Timing with Antibiotics: If taking probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, start within 48 hours of the first antibiotic dose and continue for a period recommended by a healthcare professional. To prevent the antibiotic from affecting the probiotic, take the doses a few hours apart.
Timing for Traveler's Diarrhea: Start taking a probiotic, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, a few days before your trip and continue daily throughout your travels.
Administration: Probiotics come in various forms, including capsules, powders, liquids, and fermented foods. For targeted relief, supplements may offer a more consistent and potent delivery than foods like yogurt. Enteric-coated capsules can help ensure the bacteria survive the stomach's acidic environment.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns

Probiotics are generally considered safe for most healthy individuals. However, some people may experience mild, temporary digestive side effects like gas, bloating, or even a temporary increase in diarrhea as their gut adjusts. These symptoms usually subside within a few weeks.

There are also important safety considerations:

Immunocompromised Individuals: People with severely weakened immune systems, critically ill patients, or those with central venous catheters should generally avoid probiotics due to a small risk of opportunistic infection.
Severe Illnesses or Underlying Conditions: Those with severe illnesses or certain conditions like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) should consult a healthcare provider before use, as probiotics can sometimes worsen symptoms.
Food Allergies: Always check the label for potential allergens if you have a food allergy, as some formulations may contain trace amounts of soy, lactose, or other ingredients.

Conclusion

So, will a probiotic help get rid of diarrhea? The answer is a qualified 'yes' for certain situations. Specific, well-researched strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG can be an effective adjunctive therapy for various types of diarrhea, particularly when associated with antibiotic use. However, probiotics are not a guaranteed quick fix, and their efficacy is highly dependent on the strain and the underlying cause of the diarrhea. For chronic or severe diarrhea, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to identify the root cause. For most healthy individuals, using the right probiotic can be a safe and beneficial way to support digestive health and manage common diarrheal episodes.

Authoritative Resource

For further information on probiotics and their use, refer to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) guidelines. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, taking probiotics alongside antibiotics can help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It is recommended to take the probiotic a few hours before or after your antibiotic dose to prevent the antibiotic from killing the beneficial bacteria. The probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii is often recommended as it is not affected by antibacterial drugs.

For traveler's diarrhea, the beneficial yeast Saccharomyces boulardii has shown the strongest evidence of effectiveness. Taking it daily, starting before your trip, can help reduce your risk of developing digestive issues from contaminated food and water.

Probiotics do not offer immediate relief like some anti-diarrheal medications. Effects can be noticeable within a few days, but it may take longer for the gut microbiome to rebalance. Individual results vary, and consistency is important.

Common side effects include mild, temporary digestive discomfort such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. These symptoms typically subside within a few weeks as your body adjusts.

Yes, in rare cases, starting a new probiotic can cause temporary digestive upset, including diarrhea, gas, or bloating, as the gut microbiome adjusts. If symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare provider.

Probiotics like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii have shown benefits for managing acute infectious diarrhea in children. However, it is essential to consult a pediatrician before giving any supplement to a child.

While foods like yogurt and kefir contain probiotics, supplements offer a more consistent and concentrated dose of specific, clinically studied strains. For targeted relief from diarrhea, a high-quality supplement is often more reliable than relying on food sources alone.