Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Probiotic 12.5 Billion Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Preventive Nutrition

Probiotic 12.5 Billion label
See full label image
Unknown Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Probiotic 12.5 Billion against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Probiotic 12.5 Billion is a dietary supplement by GNC Preventive Nutrition with 4 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 (CUL 60), Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20). Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
Prefer a human? Send your question to our licensed pharmacists — free, answered by email within 24 hours.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Sep 3, 2026

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 4 active ingredients.
  • “LAB4 Probiotics” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

This product contains 4 active probiotic ingredients: two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60 and CUL 21), Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20), and Bifidobacterium lactis (CUL 34)—each a live bacterial culture meant to support gut health. The inactive ingredients are gelatin, cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide, which make up the capsule and help bind the formula 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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded its ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports its ingredients for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea — rated "Possibly Effective" (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Bacterial vaginosis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Helicobacter pylori — rated "Possibly Effective" (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Respiratory tract infections — rated "Possibly Effective" (Bifidobacterium Bifidum) (Natural Medicines).

Lactobacillus acidophilus is possibly effective for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and bacterial vaginosis. It's possibly ineffective for atopic disease, and there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to rate it for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Bifidobacterium bifidum is possibly effective for IBS and respiratory tract infections, but evidence is insufficient to rate it for hay fever, Alzheimer's disease, or generalized anxiety disorder. We have no effectiveness data on file for Bifidobacterium lactis.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidobacterium Bifidum

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

The two checked ingredients are generally well tolerated in healthy adults and children. Uncommon side effects from Lactobacillus acidophilus include mild stomach discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or burping, especially when combined with other probiotics.

Bifidobacterium bifidum may cause bloating and gas, though these haven't been specifically reported from that strain alone. One rare concern: since these are live microorganisms, there is a small theoretical risk they could cause infection in people with severely weakened immune systems or critical illness—this is very uncommon but worth discussing with your doctor if that applies to you.

Both ingredients are rated possibly safe in pregnancy, though lactation data isn't on file. Because data are limited, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you have immune system concerns.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidobacterium Bifidum

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum.
  • 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.

Antibiotic drugs are the main concern—they're Moderate severity and can reduce how well these probiotics work by killing the live organisms. If you're prescribed antibiotics, talk with your pharmacist about the best way to time this probiotic so you get the benefit of both.

No other medication types are documented to interact with the ingredients we could check.

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 behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This probiotic may help with IBS, certain infections, or antibiotic-associated diarrhea if you choose to take it. The key is timing: if you're on antibiotics, separate your doses from this product.

If you have a weakened immune system or are critically ill, check with your doctor first. Run your medications through our checker and confirm the dosing strategy with your own doctor or pharmacist before you start.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2020.

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 Probiotic 12.5 Billion, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Preventive Nutrition
Net contents 2 Liquid Cleanse 4 fl. oz Bottle(s); 5 Cleansing Fiber Sachet(s); 5 Herbal Cleansing Pack(s); 7 Herbal Restore Pack(s); 7 12.5 Billion Probiotic Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2020
DSLD ID 228980
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Unknown
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 Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60)0 NP--
Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20)0 NP--
Bifidobacterium lactis (CUL 34)0 NP--
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 21)0 NP--
LAB4 Probiotics0 NP--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Cellulose, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide

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

Days 8-14 restore

For more information: 1-888-462-2548 Shop now @GNC.com Please recycle this box.

Our quality commitment to you Since 1935, our mission as the industry leader has been to provide you with the highest-quality nutritional supplements. We continue to stand behind this mission. If you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase, return the unused portion of the product with your receipt with 30 days and we'll either refund your money or find a replacement product that is right for you.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily on days 8-14.

Precautions

Warning: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

California Residents Only: Warning: Cancer and reproductive harm-www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Keep out of reach of children.

Formula

This product contains EGCG from green tea.

Use this 3-stage program to cleanse your body of toxins and promote digestive health. STEP 3 – Restore days 8 through 14 Each daily Herbal Restore Pack (includes Gastro Cleanser Formula and Total Cleanser) has herbs to help support intestinal health. Each daily Probiotic serving has 12.5 billion active cultures for digestive and immune support.

Formulation

No artificial flavors.

1st Stage: Cleanse & purify 2nd Stage: Detox 3rd Stage: Restore Gently supports overall digestive health without fasting Scientifically formulated

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition label

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

Probiotic 12.5 Billion label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formUnknown 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.

LAB4 Probiotics

0 NP per serving

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

Interaction report

Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Probiotic 12.5 Billion?

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

Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60) 182
Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20) 182

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Probiotic 12.5 Billion interact with 182 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 4 ingredients in Probiotic 12.5 Billion interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60) Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20)

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Probiotic 12.5 Billion with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60)1 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
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60) full monograph & interactions

Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20)1 drug type · 182 drugs

Antibiotic Drugs

Theoretically, taking Bifidobacterium. bifidum with antibiotic drugs might decrease the effectiveness of B. bifidum.
Since B. bifidum preparations usually contain live and active organisms, simultaneously taking antibiotics might kill a significant number of the organisms. Tell patients to separate administration of antibiotics and B. bifidum preparations by at least 2 hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL 20) full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Probiotic 12.5 Billion, from the product label.

GNC Preventive Nutrition

See all GNC Preventive Nutrition products
Name
General Nutrition Corporation
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15222
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Web Address
gnc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition: Common Questions

Does Probiotic 12.5 Billion by GNC Preventive Nutrition interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Probiotic 12.5 Billion 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?
Probiotic 12.5 Billion contains 4 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 this while I'm on an antibiotic?
Not at the same time. Antibiotics can kill the live bacteria in this probiotic, making it less effective. Ask your pharmacist or doctor how far apart to space them—often it's a few hours before or after your antibiotic dose.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. Uncommon side effects include mild bloating, gas, stomach discomfort, or loose stools, especially when you first start. These usually pass. Very rare cases of rash or itching have been reported, but it's unclear if the probiotic was the cause.
Is it safe if I have a weak immune system?
There's a small theoretical concern because these are live microorganisms—they're generally safe, but people with weakened immune systems should check with their doctor first. This is rare but worth confirming before you take it.
Will this help my IBS?
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are both possibly effective for IBS based on available evidence, so it may help—but results vary from person to person. It's worth a try, but talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.
Is it safe to take while pregnant?
Both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are rated possibly safe in pregnancy, but data are limited. Talk with your doctor or midwife before starting to make sure it's right for your situation.
What's in this besides the probiotics?
The inactive ingredients are gelatin, cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide—these are just the capsule and binders that hold the formula together.

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

Not sure if Probiotic 12.5 Billion 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.

Probiotic 12.5 Billion label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Probiotic 12.5 Billion’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Interacts with 182 drugs

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a 'friendly' bacterium used as a probiotic to support gut and vaginal health. It is generally well tolerated in healthy people, and there is reasonable evidence...

Read the full Lactobacillus Acidophilus monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bifidobacterium Bifidum

Interacts with 182 drugs

Bifidobacterium bifidum is a 'friendly' bacteria (probiotic) that naturally lives in the human gut and is taken to support digestion and gut balance. Some evidence suggests probiotics may he...

Read the full Bifidobacterium Bifidum monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Probiotic 12.5 Billion'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 22 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 →

Bifidobacterium Bifidum 7 references
  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. 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
  3. Rerksuppaphol S, Rerksuppaphol L. Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren. Pediatr Int. 2012;54(5):682-7. PubMed
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Pruccoli G, Silvestro E, Pace Napoleone C, Aidala E, Garazzino S, Scolfaro C. Are probiotics safe? Bifidobacterium bacteremia in a child with severe heart failure. Infez Med. 2019;27(2):175-178.
  7. Esaiassen E, Hjerde E, Cavanagh JP, Simonsen GS, Klingenberg C; Norwegian Study Group on Invasive Bifidobacterial Infections. Bifidobacterium bacteremia: Clinical characteristics and a genomic approach to assess pathogenicity. J Clin Microbiol. 2017;55(7) PubMed

See these in context on the Bifidobacterium Bifidum 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

Keep exploring
Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactions › Check two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookup › Find a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team