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Dietary supplement

Acidophilus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sundown Naturals

Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Acidophilus is a dietary supplement by Sundown Naturals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive health and balance, diarrhea (including antibiotic-related), vaginal yeast and bacterial infections.Based on those ingredients, 182 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lactobacillus acidophilus. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.

This product has one active ingredient: Lactobacillus acidophilus, a beneficial bacterium (probiotic) that lives naturally in your gut and helps maintain healthy digestion. The tablet also contains several inactive ingredients — vegetable cellulose, silica, stearic acid, and vegetable magnesium stearate — which are fillers and binders that hold the tablet together.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: digestive, immune and intestinal health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Bacterial vaginosis, Constipation, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Lactose intolerance — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Bacterial vaginosis, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Also on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections, Constipation, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Lactose intolerance.

Sundown Naturals Acidophilus is possibly effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (diarrhea that develops after taking antibiotics), and bacterial vaginosis. It's rated possibly ineffective for atopic disease (allergic and inflammatory conditions like eczema and asthma).

For acute respiratory distress syndrome, the evidence isn't reliable enough yet to rate whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lactobacillus Acidophilus

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is generally well tolerated in healthy adults and children. However, because it contains live organisms, there's a theoretical concern in certain patients — people with severe immune compromise or those recovering from surgery may rarely develop infections, though most documented cases appear to involve bacteria that traveled from elsewhere in the body rather than direct infection from the supplement.

Minor gastrointestinal side effects like bloating, flatulence, or mild abdominal discomfort can happen when you first start probiotics, but these are uncommon. A small number of trial participants reported rash or itching, though it's unclear whether that was due to L. acidophilus itself or other factors.

The safety data advises asking your doctor before you start, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 182 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you start this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on any antibiotic drugs. The antibiotic can reduce how effective the probiotic is, so you'll want to separate the doses by several hours.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This probiotic may help with irritable bowel syndrome, traveler's diarrhea, diarrhea after antibiotics, and vaginal health issues. It's generally safe for most people, but check with your doctor first if you have a serious immune condition.

The main thing to watch: don't take it at the same time as antibiotics — space them out so the antibiotic doesn't kill off the live organisms.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2016.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Acidophilus, straight from the product label.

Brand Sundown Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 030768177461
Net contents 60 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2016
DSLD ID 56587
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
030768177461
IngredientAmount% DV
Lactobacillus acidophilus0 NP--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

2 Billion Active Cultures Promotes Digestive, Immune & Intestinal Health*

Smart Facts Acidophilus supports a favorable environment for the absorption of nutrients, encourages intestinal microflora balance, and promotes the healthy functioning of the intestinal and digestive systems.* Intestinal microflora imbalance may lead to inefficient digestion.

2 billion live organisms per tablet at time of manufacture

1 per day

ULTIMATE PROBIOTIC FORMULA

Formulation

VEGETARIAN FORMULA

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Fish. Sodium Free.

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

TAMPER RESISTANT: DO NOT USE IF SEAL UNDER CAP IS BROKEN OR MISSING.

As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

Storage

STORE UNOPENED CONTAINER AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND AVOID EXCESSIVE HEAT. REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING.

Refrigerate after opening

Seals/Symbols

GUARANTEED QUALITY LABORATORY TESTED

PLEASE RECYCLE

Free of Gluten & Wheat

General

Prod. No. 17746 06H B27614 AAD

Brand IP Statement(s)

2014

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: FOR ADULTS, TAKE ONE (1) TABLET DAILY, PREFERABLY WITH A MEAL.

See for yourself

Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Interacts with
182 drugs
0 NP per serving

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a 'friendly' bacterium used as a probiotic to support gut and vaginal health. It is generally well tolerated in healthy p...

Lactobacillus acidophilus monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Acidophilus?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
182Drugs
182 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Acidophilus with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lactobacillus acidophilus1 drug type · 182 drugs

Antibiotic Drugs

Theoretically, taking Lactobacillus acidophilus with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of L. acidophilus.
L. acidophilus preparations usually contain live and active organisms. Therefore, simultaneously taking antibiotics might kill a significant number of the organisms. Tell patients to separate administration of antibiotics and L. acidophilus preparations by at least two hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Acidophilus, from the product label.

Sundown Naturals

See all Sundown Naturals products
Name
Rexall Sundown, Inc.
City
Boca Raton
State
FL
ZipCode
33487
Phone Number
1-888-848-2435
Web Address
www.sundownnaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals: Common Questions

Does Acidophilus by Sundown Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Acidophilus has a known interaction with 182 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Acidophilus contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while I'm on an antibiotic?
You can take both, but not at the same time. Antibiotics kill the live organisms in this supplement, making it less effective. Ask your pharmacist to help you space them out — usually a few hours apart works well.
Will this help my irritable bowel syndrome or IBS?
There's some evidence that L. acidophilus may help with IBS symptoms, so it's possibly effective for that. Results vary from person to person — some folks see improvement, others don't. It's worth a try under your doctor's guidance.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant?
The safety data rates Lactobacillus acidophilus as possibly safe during pregnancy, but there isn't a lot of research on it. Talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement during pregnancy to make sure it's right for you.
What's in this besides the probiotic?
The active ingredient is Lactobacillus acidophilus. The tablet also contains vegetable cellulose, silica, stearic acid, and vegetable magnesium stearate — these are inactive fillers that hold the tablet together.
Could this cause side effects?
Most people tolerate it well, but some folks experience mild bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort, especially at first. These are uncommon and usually settle down. In rare cases, rash or itching has been reported, though we can't be certain the probiotic was the cause.

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

Not sure if Acidophilus is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Acidophilus label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Acidophilus's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 15 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus 15 references
  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. 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
  3. Chatterjee S, Kar P, Das T, Ray S, Gangulyt S, Rajendiran C, Mitra M. Randomised placebo-controlled double blind multicentric trial on efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium BB-12 for prevention of antibiotic-associated
  4. Shavakhi A, Tabesh E, Yaghoutkar A, Hashemi H, Tabesh F, Khodadoostan M,Minakari M, Shavakhi S, Gholamrezaei A. The effects of multistrain probiotic compound on bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: a randomized placebo-c
  5. Karamali M, Dadkhah F, Sadrkhanlou M, et al. Effects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes Metab 2016;42(4):234-41. PubMed
  6. Badehnoosh B, Karamali M, Zarrati M, et al. The effects of probiotic supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 May;31(9):1128-1136.
  7. Kumar S, Kumar R, Rohilla L, Jacob N, Yadav J, Sachdeva N. A high potency multi-strain probiotic improves glycemic control in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study. Pediatr Diabete
  8. Shahriari A, Karimi E, Shahriari M, Aslani N, Khooshideh M, Arab A. The effect of probiotic supplementation on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among high-risk pregnant women: A parallel double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial PubMed
  9. Xiao SD, Zhang DZ, Lu H, et al. Multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB in patients with chronic diarrhea. Adv Ther. 2003;20(5):253-60.
  10. Rossi F, Amadoro C, Gasperi M, Colavita G. Lactobacilli infection case reports in the last three years and safety implications. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1178. PubMed
  11. Ozer M, Goksu SY, Shahverdiani A, Mustafa M. Lactobacillus acidophilus-induced endocarditis and associated splenic abscess. Case Rep Infect Dis 2020;2020:1382709.
  12. Sadrin S, Sennoune S, Gout B, et al. A 2-strain mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Dig Liver Dis 2020;52(5):534-540. PubMed
  13. Stoffer JN, Slingsby TJ, Giuliari GP. Lactobacillus acidophilus endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection requiring intraocular lens explantation. Can J Ophthalmol 2022;57(1):e21-e22. PubMed
  14. Cukovic-Cavka S, Likic R, Francetic I, Rustemovic N, Opacic M, Vucelic B. Lactobacillus acidophilus as a cause of liver abscess in a NOD2/CARD15-positive patient with Crohn's disease. Digestion 2006;73(2-3):107-10.
  15. Hui J, Ren Y, Wang Y, Han Q. Lactobacillus acidophilus endophthalmitis postcataract operation: A case report with a literature review. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023.

See these in context on the Lactobacillus Acidophilus monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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