Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 8 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Health-Bac Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by North American Herb & Spice

Powder Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Health-Bac is a dietary supplement by North American Herb & Spice with 8 active ingredients. 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 W22. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice

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 8 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend Winclove 505” is a proprietary blend — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

Health-Bac contains 8 active probiotic strains — bacteria intended to support digestive and gut health. The formula includes two Bifidobacterium lactis strains (W51 and W52), Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactobacillus plantarum W21, Lactobacillus paracasei W20, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Enterococcus faecium W54.

These are live, active microorganisms. The powder also contains inactive ingredients — starches (maize and maltodextrin), inulin and fructooligosaccharides (which feed probiotics), protein, minerals including potassium and magnesium, an enzyme (amylase), and vanilla flavoring.

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: supports healthy digestive response.
  • We looked for evidence on: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridioides difficile infection, 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 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Also on file: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Radiation-induced diarrhea, Lactose intolerance, and more.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, one of the strains in this product, is rated Possibly Effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and bacterial vaginosis. It's rated Possibly Ineffective for atopic disease (allergic conditions), and the evidence for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is insufficient to rate.

We don't have effectiveness data on file for the other seven bacterial strains in Health-Bac, so we can't tell you whether they've been studied for any condition.

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. The most common side effects from probiotic combinations are mild gastrointestinal discomfort — bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or loose stool — though these are uncommon.

One clinical trial reported rare cases of rash and itching, though it's unclear whether those were caused by L. acidophilus or another ingredient. Because Health-Bac contains live bacteria, there's a theoretical concern that in very rare cases — mostly in people with a weakened immune system or damaged gut lining — the bacteria could cross into the bloodstream and cause infection.

For pregnancy, L. acidophilus is rated Possibly Safe, though data are limited. There's no rating on file for breastfeeding.

Before starting, check with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have a weak immune system or serious illness.

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.

If you take antibiotics, separate them from Health-Bac by a few hours — antibiotics can kill the live bacteria in this product and reduce its effect. Use the checker on this page to run your exact medications before adding this supplement, and discuss timing with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

Health-Bac is a multi-strain probiotic meant to support digestive health, particularly for IBS and antibiotic-related diarrhea. It's generally well tolerated, but if you take antibiotics, you'll need to time them carefully — ask your doctor or pharmacist whether to separate them by a few hours.

If you have a compromised immune system or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your healthcare provider before starting.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 23, 2022.

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 Health-Bac, straight from the product label.

Brand North American Herb & Spice
Barcode (UPC) 635824002123
Net contents 100 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2022
DSLD ID 269770
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice, 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:
3 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Gram(s)
Servings per container
33
UPC/BARCODE
635824002123
IngredientAmount% DV
Bifidobacterium lactis W510 NP--
Bifidobacterium lactis W520 NP--
Lactobacillus salivarius W240 NP--
Lactobacillus acidophilus W220 NP--
Lactobacillus plantarum W210 NP--
Enterococcus faecium W540 NP--
Proprietary Blend Winclove 5050 NP--
Lactobacillus paracasei W200 NP--
Lactococcus lactis W190 NP--

Other ingredients: Maize Starch, Maltodextrin, Fructooligosaccharide, Fructo-Oligosaccharides, Inulin, Maize Dextrin, Protein, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Bacterial Strains, Amylase, Vanilla flavor, Manganese Sulfate

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Dissolve 1 teaspoon in lukewarm water at least two hours before or after taking Oreganol or OregaRESP P73. Best to take at bedtime.

Always use Health-Bac when taking Oreganol and/or OregaRESP P73 daily.

Formula

Health-Bac contains the most extensively researched probiotic available: Winclove 505 (formerly Ecologic 500).

Winclove 505 Probiotic >1x10^9 (1 billion) Winclove 505 per gram

Formulation

Health-Bac has been clinically demonstrated to readily implant in humans.

Supports a healthy digestive response

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice

These are the 8 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size3 Gram(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container33 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Blend Winclove 505

0 NP per serving
  • › Bifidobacterium lactis W51
  • › Bifidobacterium lactis W52
  • › Lactobacillus salivarius W24
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus W22
  • › Lactobacillus plantarum W21
  • › Enterococcus faecium W54
  • › Lactobacillus paracasei W20
  • › Lactococcus lactis W19

Other (inactive) ingredients: Maize Starch, Maltodextrin, Fructooligosaccharide, Fructo-Oligosaccharides, Inulin, Maize Dextrin, Protein, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Bacterial Strains, Amylase, Vanilla flavor, Manganese Sulfate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Health-Bac?

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 Health-Bac 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 acidophilus W221 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 Health-Bac, from the product label.

North American Herb & Spice

See all North American Herb & Spice products
Name
North American Herb & Spice
Street Address
13900 W. Polo Trail Drive
City
Lake Forest
State
IL
ZipCode
60045
Phone Number
1-800-243-5242
Web Address
www.oreganol.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice: Common Questions

Does Health-Bac by North American Herb & Spice interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Health-Bac 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?
Health-Bac contains 8 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 Health-Bac if I'm on an antibiotic?
You can take both, but timing matters. Antibiotics can kill the live probiotics in Health-Bac, so ask your doctor or pharmacist how many hours to space them apart — this lets the probiotic do its job without the antibiotic destroying it.
What does Lactobacillus acidophilus actually do?
It's a "good" bacteria that may help with irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-related diarrhea, bacterial vaginosis, and H. pylori infection. The evidence is solid enough that doctors consider it possibly effective for those uses.
Are there side effects?
Most people have none. Some get mild gas, bloating, or loose stool when they first start — these are uncommon and usually pass. Very rarely, people have reported rash or itching, though it's unclear what caused them.
Is it safe if I'm pregnant?
Lactobacillus acidophilus is rated Possibly Safe in pregnancy, but data are limited. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice before starting.
Why are there so many inactive ingredients?
The starches and inulin keep the powder stable and help the live bacteria survive until you take it. Maize starch, maltodextrin, and fructooligosaccharides are common in probiotic formulas for this reason.
Why can't you check the other seven bacteria in this product?
We don't have detailed interaction data on file for those strains yet. That doesn't mean they're safe or unsafe with medications — just that we haven't reviewed them. If you take prescription drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any of the other strains might affect them.

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

Not sure if Health-Bac is safe with your meds?

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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.

Health-Bac label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Health-Bac'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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