Mild interactionMildSeparate by 2h
Probiotic and Fluoroquinolone antibiotic: interaction, severity and spacing
Probiotic and Fluoroquinolone antibiotic interact because antibiotics kill the organisms in a probiotic, so taking them together wastes the supplement rather than causing harm. Take them 2 hours apart. Mild risk.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-20Reviewed by: StackingRight clinical review
The interaction in detail
| Pair | Probiotic and Fluoroquinolone antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Type | Nutrient–drug interaction |
| Severity | Mild |
| Required spacing | 2 hours minimum |
| Onset | At the time of dosing |
Mechanism
Antibiotics kill the organisms in a probiotic, so taking them together wastes the supplement rather than causing harm.
What to do
Separate the probiotic and the antibiotic by at least 2 hours.
How to fit both into one day
Probiotic
morningempty stomach
Take probiotics on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before a meal — gastric acid is lowest then. Separate from antibiotics by two hours.
Putting Probiotic in the morning and Fluoroquinolone antibiotic in the evening satisfies the 2-hour separation without disrupting either one's absorption window.