What is Acidophilus?

An example of Acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of several bacteria used in the production of yoghurt. Acidophilus is considered a probiotic or "friendly bacteria", outcompeting more harmful microorganisms for their food supply. People take acidophilus to help digestion or boost their immune system.

Reported Purpose & Perceived Effectiveness

Reasons and Perceived effectiveness
Perceived Effectiveness
Purpose # of patients # of patients with evaluations
Major
Moderate
Slight
None
Can’t tell
68 13 Efficacy_moderate Efficacy_slight Efficacy_cant_tell
25 7 Efficacy_major Efficacy_slight
16 4 Efficacy_major Efficacy_moderate Efficacy_slight
11 3 Efficacy_major Efficacy_cant_tell
7 1 Efficacy_cant_tell
6 4 Efficacy_major Efficacy_cant_tell

See all 144 patients currently taking Acidophilus

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Reported Side Effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Severe
0
Moderate
0
Mild
1
None
34

Commonly reported side effects, conditions, and hospitalizations associated with Acidophilus

1
1
1

Reported Dosages

Frequently reported dosages based on patients currently taking Acidophilus. See all 29 dosages

  daily - as needed 1 as needed weekly 1 daily 1 tab(s) daily 1 other daily 10 mg daily 16 mg daily 100 mg daily
  97 Number of Patients: 97 5 Number of Patients: 5 2 Number of Patients: 2 2 Number of Patients: 2 2 Number of Patients: 2 5 Number of Patients: 5 4 Number of Patients: 4 6 Number of Patients: 6 1 Number of Patients: 1 2 Number of Patients: 2  

Reported Stop Reasons

Why Patients Stopped Taking Acidophilus (multiple reasons could be selected)
Reason # Patients Percentage of patients
Other 11   Other: 41%
Did not seem to work 9   Did not seem to work: 33%
Course of treatment ended 6   Course of treatment ended: 22%
Expense 2   Expense: 7%
Not indicated 1   Not indicated: 4%

See all 27 patients who’ve stopped taking Acidophilus

Currently Taking Acidophilus

A bar graph

0-1 month 1-3 months 3-6 months 6 months-1year 1-2 years 2 years or more
0
0
0

Stopped Taking Acidophilus

A bar graph

0-1 month 1-3 months 3-6 months 6 months-1year 1-2 years 2 years or more

Reported Adherence, Burden & Cost See details from patient evaluations

Adherence

Taking treatment as prescribed

Adherence of Acidophilus

Always
17 49%
Usually
14 40%
Sometimes
4 11%
Never
0 0%

Burden

Difficulty being on treatment

Burden of Acidophilus

Very
0 0%
Somewhat
0 0%
A little
5 14%
Not at all
30 86%

Cost

Paid out of pocket

Cost of Acidophilus

$200+
1 5%
$100-199
0 0%
$50-99
0 0%
$25-49
2 10%
< $25
18 86%

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5 patient evaluations for Acidophilus

  • jmb727
    Data Quality: 0 stars
    • Sex: Female
    • Age: 28y
    Condition: Interstitial Cystitis 2 additional condition(s)
    Quality of Life:
    • Mental: Moderate
    • Physical: None
    I am: Neutral
  • Portrait_default_thumb
  • See jmb727's full Acidophilus history
Purpose: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (Started Jan 15, 2012)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Aug 17, 2012 1 tab(s) Daily Led_efficacy_4Led_efficacy_4Led_efficacy_4Led_efficacy_4Major NoneNoneNoneNoneNone AlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlways Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
  • jmscout
    Sex: F
    Data Quality: 1 star
    MS: 20 yrs
    Type: Relapsing-Remitting
    Sensation: None
    Overall: Mild
    Cognition: moderate
    Vision: none
    Speech: none
    Swallowing: none
    Upper limb: moderate
    Walking: moderate
  • 5866-thumb
  • See jmscout's full Acidophilus history
Purpose: General health (Started Sep 16, 2006)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Sep 16, 2008 Daily Led_efficacy_3Led_efficacy_3Led_efficacy_3Led_defaultModerate NoneNoneNoneNoneNone UsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsually Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
  • expastrychef
    Sex: M
    Data Quality: 1 star
    MS: 13 yrs
    Type: Secondary Progressive
    Sensation: Moderate
    Overall: Moderate
    Cognition: moderate
    Vision: mild
    Speech: moderate
    Swallowing: moderate
    Upper limb: moderate
    Walking: moderate
  • 12697-thumb
  • See expastrychef's full Acidophilus history
Purpose: Bowel problems (Started Jan 22, 2004)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Feb 23, 2009 As needed Led_efficacy_3Led_efficacy_3Led_efficacy_3Led_defaultModerate NoneNoneNoneNoneNone UsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsually Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
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What is lactobacillus acidophilus?

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria that exists naturally in the body, primarily in the intestines and the vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus helps maintain an acidic environment in the body, which can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been used to treat or prevent vaginal yeast infections, yeast infections of the mouth, diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, and urinary tract infections. Lactobacillus acidophilus may work by helping the body maintain normal consistency of bacteria in the stomach, intestines, and vagina.

Lactobacillus acidophilus has not been approved by the FDA to treat any disease, and it should not be substituted for prescription medications.

Lactobacillus acidophilus has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of lactobacillus acidophilus may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Some marketed herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Lactobacillus acidophilus may also have be used for other purposes not listed in this product guide.


Precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking lactobacillus acidophilus if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or herbal/health supplements. Under certain conditions, it may be dangerous for you to take lactobacillus acidophilus.

Do not take lactobacillus acidophilus without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.

Do not take lactobacillus acidophilus without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using lactobacillus acidophilus.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this product.

Symptoms of a lactobacillus acidophilus overdose are not known.

No information is available about missing a dose of lactobacillus acidophilus. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for instructions if you miss a dose.

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Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

There may be other drugs that can interact with lactobacillus acidophilus. Tell your healthcare provider about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.

Other Names

Acidophilus, Acidophilus Extra Strength, Bacid, Flora-Q, Flora-Q 2, Floranex, Novaflor, Superdophilus, lactobacillus acidophilus, Floranex (obsolete), and RisaQuad

Available Strengths & Dosages


Route Form Strength
oral tablet -
oral capsule -

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Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04

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