Food and medicine interaction
Probiotic supplements and medicines that weaken the immune system, such as transplant drugs, high-dose steroids and chemotherapy
ProbableEvidence level: probable. Case reports in people plus a known mechanism, but no controlled studies.
Last reviewed
What can happen
Probiotics are generally safe in healthy people, but in people who are severely ill or whose immune systems are weakened they have been linked to rare serious infections, including bacteria or yeast in the blood. FDA has warned health care providers about this risk.
- Why it happens
- When the immune system is suppressed, the body is less able to keep the live microbes in a probiotic in check, and on rare occasions they cause infection.
- At ordinary food amounts
- The reported cases involve probiotic products. Whether yogurt and other fermented foods are allowed is a question for your care team, who may have their own food-safety guidance.
What to do
If you take medicines that suppress the immune system, ask your prescriber or care team before using probiotic supplements. Do not stop or change your immunosuppressant on your own.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber.
Common questions
Can I have probiotic supplements while taking immunosuppressants?
If you take medicines that suppress the immune system, ask your prescriber or care team before using probiotic supplements. Do not stop or change your immunosuppressant on your own. The reported cases involve probiotic products. Whether yogurt and other fermented foods are allowed is a question for your care team, who may have their own food-safety guidance.
Sources
Related
- RemedyProbiotics: the full evidence pageLive microbes sold as supplements and found in some fermented foods. Trials support specific uses alongside antibiotics; most other claims are unproven, and effects depend on the strain.
- Interaction · TheoreticalAshwagandha and immunosuppressants, such as drugs taken after a transplant or for autoimmune disease
- Interaction · TheoreticalEchinacea and immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine after a transplant