Drug & supplement interaction

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis + Interferon Alfa-2b

Interferon Alfa-2b brand names: Rebetron, Intron A, Viraferon.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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Interaction report

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Interferon Alfa-2b and Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis safety at a glance

Bifidobacterium An... overall Generally safe Generally well tolerated by most healthy people when taken as directed.
Pregnancy Use caution Often considered low-risk, but evidence is limited, so check with your doctor first.
Breastfeeding Use caution Likely low-risk but not well studied; discuss with your healthcare provider.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Interferon Alfa-2b and Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Interferon Alfa-2b

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Interferon Alfa-2b is filed under 2 classifications — photosensitizing drugs, hepatotoxic drugs. Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being antibiotic drugs (moderate) — and none of Interferon Alfa-2b’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis Does Interact With Other Medications

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis has 182 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Interferon Alfa-2b isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 182 No known interaction 2,648 (incl. Interferon Alfa-2b)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

What Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Interferon Alfa-2b. It is the side-effect record for Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis, this list is the first place to look. One entry is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • A higher chance of infection Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, Bifidobacterium lactis seems to be well tolerated by most patients.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Diarrhea.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: There is concern that probiotics may cause infections in some people.”

    Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

  • Bloating or gas / Constipation / Stomach pain Additional detail

    “Bloating and flatulence have been reported with probiotic use; however, these adverse effects have not been reported from ingestion of Bifidobacterium lactis in particular. When taken orally, B. lactis can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complaints in children. Gastrointestinal complaints including worsening diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, stomach burn, and flatulence have been reported rarely.”

    Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.

    5 sources cited
    1. 3169. Phuapradit P, Varavithya W, Vathanophas K, et al. Reduction of rotavirus infection in children receiving bifidobacteria-supplemented formula. J Med Assoc Thai 1999;82:S43-8.
    2. 95381. Taipale TJ, Pienihäkkinen K, Isolauri E, Jokela JT, Söderling EM. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood. Pediatr Res. 2016;79(1-1):65-9. PubMed
    3. 105149. Amat-Bou M, Garcia-Ribera S, Climent E, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp. lactis (BPL1) supplementation in children and adolescents with prader-willi syndrome: A randomized crossover trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3123. PubMed
    4. 110986. Mäkelä SM, Forssten SD, Kailajärvi M, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 on gastrointestinal inflammation induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Br J Clin Ph
    5. 110999. Wildt S, Munck LK, Vinter-Jensen L, et al. Probiotic treatment of collagenous colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2006;12(5):395-401. PubMed
  • Itching / A skin rash Additional detail

    “In clinical research, two cases of rash, one with itching, were reported by patients taking a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F19, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5. However, it is not clear if these adverse effects were due to B. lactis, other probiotics, or the combination, or if the events were idiosyncratic.”

    Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

    1 source cited
    1. 90236. Begtrup LM, de Muckadell OB, Kjeldsen J, Christensen RD, Jarbøl DE. Long-term treatment with probiotics in primary care patients with irritable bowel syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 2013;48(10):1127-35 PubMed
  • Diarrhea Additional detail

    Recorded for Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A higher chance of infection above.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Interferon Alfa-2b to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Interferon Alfa-2b.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Interferon Alfa-2b

This page covers Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Interferon Alfa-2b page lists 57 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major), Alfalfa (moderate) and Angelica Archangelica (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 53 moderate · 1 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Interferon Alfa-2b page

“People taking interferon alfa-2b (Intron A, Rebetron) are usually treating hepatitis or a cancer, so the liver may already be under strain, and that is exactly where most of this list points. Of the 57 supplements on file, 38 can add to liver stress, and all three major-rated interactions sit in that group: Siberian cocklebur, which ha…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Interferon Alfa-2b interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis
Steady interest

#1,361 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Interferon Alfa-2b
Top half

#1,355 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis

What is Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis?

  • Digestive health and regularity
  • Constipation relief
  • Immune support
  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • General gut microbiome balance

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis is a well-studied probiotic bacterium commonly added to supplements and yogurts to support digestion and gut health. It appears generally safe for most healthy people, with the best evidence for improving bowel regularity, but benefits vary by person and strain. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you have a weakened immune system or a serious illness.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis · Bifidobacteriaceae · Live bacterial cells (probiotic strain) · Capsules, tablets, powders, sachets, fermented dairy products like yogurt, and combination probiotic supplements

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis record says about it on its own.

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis: dosing

There is no single standardized dose of B. lactis that works for everyone. Probiotic doses are usually measured in colony-forming units (CFU), and the amount varies widely between products.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and start with the lowest suggested amount. They can help you pick a reputable product and decide whether a probiotic is appropriate for your situation.

From our Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Interferon Alfa-2b Injection

What Is Interferon Alfa-2b Injection Used For?

Brand names: Rebetron, Intron A, Viraferon

  • Interferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat a number of conditions.

  • Interferon alfa-2b injection is used

    • alone or in combination with ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere) to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage,

    • to treat chronic hepatitis B infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage,

    • to treat hairy cell leukemia (a white blood cell cancer),

    • to treat genital warts,

    • to treat Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer that causes abnormal tissue to grow on different parts of the body) related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),

    • to treat malignant melanoma (a cancer that begins in certain skin cells) in certain people who have had surgery to remove the cancer,

    • along with another medication to treat follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; a slow-growing blood cancer).

  • Interferon alfa-2b is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. Interferon alfa-2b works to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) by decreasing the amount virus in the body. Interferon alfa-2b may not cure hepatitis B or hepatitis C or prevent you from developing complications from these infections such as cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer. It also may not prevent the spread of hepatitis B or C to other people. It is not known exactly how interferon alfa-2b works to treat cancer or genital warts.

See full Interferon Alfa-2b Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
182Moderate
0Minor
2,647No known interaction
182 Moderate 2,647 No interaction
Moderate

182 interactions

Showing 60 of 182 moderate interactions — see all 182 on the Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis page.

No interaction 2,647 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,647 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis list.

See the full Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis interactions page
See every supplement checked against Interferon Alfa-2b, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis References

The 8 references that drive our Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. Phuapradit P, Varavithya W, Vathanophas K, et al. Reduction of rotavirus infection in children receiving bifidobacteria-supplemented formula. J Med Assoc Thai 1999;82:S43-8.
  3. Xiao JZ, Takahashi S, Odamaki T, et al. Antibiotic susceptibility of bifidobacterial strains distributed in the Japanese market. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(2):336-42. PubMed
  4. Begtrup LM, de Muckadell OB, Kjeldsen J, Christensen RD, Jarbøl DE. Long-term treatment with probiotics in primary care patients with irritable bowel syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 2013;48(10):1127-35 PubMed
  5. Taipale TJ, Pienihäkkinen K, Isolauri E, Jokela JT, Söderling EM. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood. Pediatr Res. 2016;79(1-1):65-9. PubMed
  6. Amat-Bou M, Garcia-Ribera S, Climent E, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp. lactis (BPL1) supplementation in children and adolescents with prader-willi syndrome: A randomized crossover trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3123. PubMed
  7. Mäkelä SM, Forssten SD, Kailajärvi M, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 on gastrointestinal inflammation induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Br J Clin Ph
  8. Wildt S, Munck LK, Vinter-Jensen L, et al. Probiotic treatment of collagenous colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2006;12(5):395-401. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis with Interferon Alfa-2b?
We do not list a known interaction between Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
How was the Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis and Interferon Alfa-2b combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Interferon Alfa-2b is filed under 2 classifications, and Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Interferon Alfa-2b's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis interact with any other medications?
Yes. Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis has 182 documented drug interactions in our database — Interferon Alfa-2b is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Interferon Alfa-2b interact with any supplements?
Yes. Interferon Alfa-2b has documented interactions with 57 supplements in our database — Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis is not one of them. The Interferon Alfa-2b interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp. Lactis monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Interferon Alfa-2b Injection drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Interferon Alfa-2b supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Interferon Alfa-2b, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 8 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.