The recommended doses of L. acidophilus for adults varies depending on the health condition that it is being used to treat. Always be sure to check the specific dosage recommendations on the label of the product before taking the probiotic.
Guidelines for the Most Common Uses of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Diarrhea (prevention and treatment of): 1 to 2 billion viable cells per day (some experts may recommend up to 10 billion cells per day). Always check with your doctor first.
Vaginal infections: 8 ounces of yogurt (with live active cultures) daily or an oral daily supplement containing at least 1 to 2 billion live organisms. Clinical experience also suggests that another thing that works to relieve itching and inflammation is to apply yogurt with live acidophilus cultures directly into the vaginal area using a disposable spatula. As well, lactobacillus capsules or tablets may be inserted directly into the vagina.
Cystitis: 1 to 2 capsules or tablets inserted into the vagina nightly for a period of two weeks.
Normal intestinal flora (maintenance of): 1 to 10 billion viable cells per day.
Precautions and Possible Interactions
As with any supplement, there is always the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications. In light of this, dietary supplements should be taken only under the careful supervision of a trained and knowledgeable doctor and/or healthcare provider.
In some individuals who consume more than 1 to 2 billion L. acidophilus cells per day, mild gastrointestinal upset may occur. However this is not likely to happen to people who are not currently taking antibiotics.
If a person is currently being treated with sulfasalazine, they should not begin taking probiotic supplements until they first discuss it with their doctor. Sulfasalazine is a sulfa medicine that is used to prevent and treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have not been helped by, or who cannot tolerate other medicines for their condition. It is also known as Azulfidine. A laboratory study has suggested that L. acidophilus speeds up the metabolism of the drug sulfasalazine but at present the significance of this information is not completely known. More studies need to be done.