Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Probiotic Complex 4 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Probiotics

Probiotic Complex 4 label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Probiotic Complex 4 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 Complex 4 is a dietary supplement by GNC Probiotics with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for replacing fluids and electrolytes, preventing dehydration during exercise or illness, treating low blood sodium (under medical care).Based on those ingredients, 387 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Sodium, Probiotic Complex Blend. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics

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

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • “Probiotic Complex Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (4,000,000,000 Organism(s)) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains 5 active ingredients: sodium and four live-culture probiotic bacteria. The probiotics are B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus, and S. thermophilus — common beneficial gut bacteria included in many probiotic formulas.

The inactive ingredients include cellulose, pectin, gums, silica, and other capsule materials.

Does it work?

Strong 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.

Strong

Strong 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: Cystic fibrosis — rated "Likely Effective" (Sodium) (Natural Medicines).
  • 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).

The evidence for effectiveness varies by condition and ingredient. For the probiotic strains, B. bifidum and L. acidophilus are each possibly effective for irritable bowel syndrome and respiratory tract infections, while L. acidophilus alone is possibly effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and bacterial vaginosis.

L. helveticus and S. thermophilus have insufficient evidence to rate for most conditions, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, cognitive function, and others. Sodium itself has specific uses (possibly effective for amphotericin B kidney damage, likely effective for cystic fibrosis) but those aren't typical reasons someone takes a probiotic supplement.

For general digestive or immune support, the evidence in our data is limited.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sodium Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidobacterium Bifidum Lactobacillus Helveticus Streptococcus Thermophilus

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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

The probiotic strains are generally well tolerated in healthy people, though bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort have been reported with probiotic use in general — these are uncommon. A rare concern exists for very ill or immunocompromised patients: live probiotic bacteria have caused serious infections (bacteremia, sepsis) in a small number of critically ill hospitalized patients with weakened immunity or central lines, though this risk is not reported in relatively healthy people with intact immune systems.

Sodium is essential in small amounts, but high intake is linked to high blood pressure and heart strain; avoid sodium supplements or very high intake without medical advice. For pregnancy, B. bifidum and L. acidophilus are possibly safe, and S. thermophilus is possibly safe — but data on lactation for these strains are not on file.

L. helveticus has insufficient data for pregnancy and lactation safety, so talk with your doctor before using during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sodium Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidobacterium Bifidum Lactobacillus Helveticus Streptococcus Thermophilus

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?
  • 4 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Sodium, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Lactobacillus Helveticus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 387 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 taking this product, double-check it with your doctor or pharmacist if you take: antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure medications), corticosteroids, lithium, didanosine, sodium phosphate, tolvaptan, or any sodium-containing drugs or supplements. Also check if you're on antibiotics — space administration of this product away from them.

The sodium content poses Moderate-severity risks with several drug types, and the live probiotics interact with antibiotics.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're looking to support digestive or respiratory health with probiotics and don't take blood pressure medication, corticosteroids, lithium, or other sodium-sensitive drugs, this product may be worth considering. However, if you take any of those medications or antibiotics, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist first — the sodium and probiotic-antibiotic interactions need careful timing.

Probiotics are generally well tolerated, but don't take this if you're severely ill or immunocompromised without checking with your healthcare provider.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 26, 2011.

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 Complex 4, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Probiotics
Net contents 100 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 26, 2011
DSLD ID 799
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics, 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)
IngredientAmount% DV
Sodium35 mg1%
B. bifidum40 %--
L. acidophilus40 %--
L. helveticus10 %--
S. thermophilus10 %--
Probiotic Complex Blend4000000000 Organism(s)--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxpropyl Methylcellulose, Pectin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soda Ash, Silica Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Guar Gum, Turmeric

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

BIO-tract(R)

BIO-tract(R) is a registered trademark of Nutraceutix, Inc.

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

Formula

Suitable for individuals following a low lactose diet.

Formulation

No Sugar, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Soy, Yeast Free.

Vegetarian

Precautions

CONTAINS: Milk.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Storage

Prior to opening, store in a cool, dry place.

Refrigerate after opening.

General Statements

(CFU= Colony Forming Units)

4 BILLION CFUs

ACTUAL SIZE

FPO

Probiotics help to promote healthy digestion, support natural resistance and replenish beneficial, healthy bacteria that may be depleted as a result of poor diet, taking certain antibiotics, food poisioning, travelers diarrhea or poor overall digestive health. This high-quality, vegetarian formula features BIO-tract(R) delivery technology designed to protect the probiotics from stomach acids and deliver live organisms to the intestine where they promote health.

Promotes healthy digestion and immunity

General

CODE 360826 ILG

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one tablet daily prior to any meal.

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

See for yourself

Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics label

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

Probiotic Complex 4 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 Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill 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.

Sodium

Interacts with
205 drugs
35 mg per serving

Sodium is an essential mineral and electrolyte your body needs to balance fluids, support nerves, and help muscles work. Most people in modern diets g...

Sodium monograph & interactions

Probiotic Complex Blend

Interacts with
182 drugs
4000000000 Organism(s) 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...

Probiotic Complex Blend monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxpropyl Methylcellulose, Pectin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soda Ash, Silica Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Guar Gum, Turmeric. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Probiotic Complex 4?

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
387Drugs
387 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Sodium 205
Probiotic Complex Blend 182

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Probiotic Complex 4 interact with 387 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Probiotic Complex 4 interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Sodium Probiotic Complex Blend

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Probiotic Complex 4 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.

Sodium7 drug types · 205 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, a high intake of dietary sodium might reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs.
High intake of dietary sodium can increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, high intake of sodium may necessitate increased use of antihypertensive medications to achieve blood pressure control in some patients, such as those with chronic kidney disease.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Corticosteroids

Concomitant use of mineralocorticoids and some glucocorticoids with sodium supplements might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Mineralocorticoids and some glucocorticoids (corticosteroids) cause sodium retention. This effect is dose-related and depends on mineralocorticoid potency. It is most common with hydrocortisone, cortisone, and fludrocortisone, followed by prednisone and prednisolone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Didanosine (Videx)

Concomitant use of didanosine with additional sodium from dietary or supplemental sources may increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Didanosine formulations contain a significant amount of sodium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Lithium

Altering dietary intake of sodium might alter the levels and clinical effects of lithium.
High sodium intake can reduce plasma concentrations of lithium by increasing lithium excretion. Reducing sodium intake can significantly increase plasma concentrations of lithium and cause lithium toxicity in patients being treated with lithium carbonate. Stabilizing sodium intake is shown to reduce the percentage of patients with lithium level fluctuations above 0.8 mEq/L. Patients taking lithium should avoid significant alterations in their dietary intake of sodium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Sodium Phosphates

Theoretically, concomitant use of sodium phosphate with sodium supplements might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Use of high doses (> 45 mL in 24 hours) of sodium phosphate, such as those used for bowel cleansing before surgery, can lead to serious electrolyte disturbances, including hypernatremia. The risk of hypernatremia is highest in the elderly and people with other risk factors for electrolyte disturbances.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sodium-Containing Drugs

Concomitant use of sodium-containing drugs with additional sodium from dietary or supplemental sources may increase the risk of hypernatremia and long-term sodium-related complications.
The Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) intake level of 2.3 grams of sodium daily indicates the intake at which it is believed that chronic disease risk increases for the apparently healthy population. Some medications contain high quantities of sodium. When used in conjunction with sodium supplements or high-sodium diets, the CDRR may be exceeded. Additionally, concomitant use may increase the risk for hypernatremia; this risk is highest in the elderly and people with other risk factors for electrolyte disturbances.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolvaptan (Samsca)

Theoretically, concomitant use of tolvaptan with sodium might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Tolvaptan is a vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist that is used to increase sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia. Patients taking tolvaptan should use caution with the use of sodium salts such as sodium chloride.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Sodium full monograph & interactions

Probiotic Complex Blend1 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
Probiotic Complex Blend full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Probiotic Complex 4, from the product label.

GNC Probiotics

See all GNC Probiotics products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics: Common Questions

Does Probiotic Complex 4 by GNC Probiotics interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Probiotic Complex 4 has a known interaction with 387 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Probiotic Complex 4 contains 2 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 if I'm on antibiotics?
No, not at the same time. Antibiotics may kill the live probiotic bacteria in this product and reduce its benefit. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about spacing them out — often waiting a few hours after an antibiotic dose, or taking the probiotic a few hours before your next antibiotic dose, can help.
Does this product have a lot of sodium in it?
The product facts show sodium is an ingredient, but the exact amount per serving isn't listed here. If you take blood pressure medication, corticosteroids, or lithium, or if you need to limit sodium intake for any reason, ask your pharmacist what the sodium content is before you take it.
Is this safe to take if I have a weakened immune system?
The probiotics in this product have caused serious infections in a small number of critically ill, hospitalized patients with weakened immunity. If you're severely ill or immunocompromised, check with your doctor before taking any probiotic supplement.
Will this help with my IBS or digestive problems?
Two of the probiotic strains here — B. bifidum and L. acidophilus — are each possibly effective for irritable bowel syndrome. L. acidophilus is also possibly effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhea. That said, evidence is limited, so results vary by person. Talk with your doctor about whether it's worth trying for your specific situation.
Can I take this during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, and S. thermophilus are each possibly safe in pregnancy, but safety data during lactation are not on file for most of these strains. L. helveticus has insufficient pregnancy and lactation safety data. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding to make sure it's right for you.
What are the side effects I might experience?
Bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort have been reported with probiotic use in general, but these are uncommon. One case of vomiting and fever was reported in a child taking multiple probiotics, though it's unclear if probiotics caused it. Serious infections are extremely rare and occur almost exclusively in hospitalized, severely ill patients, not in healthy people.

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

Not sure if Probiotic Complex 4 is safe with your meds?

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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 Complex 4 label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Probiotic Complex 4’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Sodium

Interacts with 205 drugs

Sodium is an essential mineral and electrolyte your body needs to balance fluids, support nerves, and help muscles work. Most people in modern diets get more than enough—often too much—from...

Read the full Sodium monograph → 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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Lactobacillus Helveticus

Interacts with 182 drugs

Lactobacillus helveticus is a lactic acid bacterium used as a probiotic, often combined with other strains in mood, gut, and general wellness products. Early research is interesting—especial...

Read the full Lactobacillus Helveticus monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Streptococcus Thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus is a friendly bacterium used as a probiotic, often combined with other strains in yogurt and supplements. It is generally well tolerated in healthy people and may...

Read the full Streptococcus Thermophilus monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Probiotic Complex 4'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 83 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.

Sodium 38 references
  1. Garabedian-Ruffalo SM, Ruffalo RL. Drug and nutrient interactions. Am Fam Physician 1986;33:165-74.
  2. Food and Drug Administration Science Background: Safety of Sodium Phosphates Oral Solution. September 17, 2001. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/safety/sodiumphospate.htm
  3. Coton T, Mallaret C, Coilliot C, Carre D, Guisset M. Severe acute ulcerated gastritis induced by salt. Presse Med 2009;38(3):499-500. PubMed
  4. Frings-Meuthen P, Buehlmeier J, Baecker N, et al. High sodium chloride intake exacerbates immobilization-induced bone resorption and protein losses. J Appl Physiol 2011;111(2):537-542. PubMed
  5. Frings-Meuthen P, Baecker N, Heer M. Low-grade metabolic acidosis may be the cause of sodium chloride-induced exaggerated bone resorption. J Bone Miner Res 2008;23(4):517-524. PubMed
  6. Alam S, Johnson AG. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) among healthy normotensive and essential hypertensive elderly patients to determine the effect of high salt (NaCl) diet of blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens 1999;13(6):367-74.
  7. Boudville N, Ward S, Benaroia M, House AA. Increased sodium intake correlates with greater use of antihypertensive agents by subjects with chronic kidney disease. Am J Hypertens 2005;18(10):1300-5. PubMed
  8. Bennett WM. Drug interactions and consequences of sodium restriction. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65(2 Suppl):678S-681S. PubMed
  9. Okusa MD, Crystal LJ. Clinical manifestations and management of acute lithium intoxication. Am J Med 1994;97(4):383-9. PubMed
  10. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2005. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10925. DOI
  11. D'Elia L, Rossi G, Ippolito R, Cappuccio FP, Strazzullo P. Habitual salt intake and risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Clin Nutr 2012;31(4):489-98. PubMed
  12. Goldsmith SR. Hyponatremia in heart failure: time for a trial. J Card Fail 2013;19(6):398-400. PubMed
  13. Willocks L, Brettle R, Keen J, Valentine C, Pinching AJ. Formulations of didanosine (ddI) and salt overload. Lancet 1992;339(8786):190.
  14. Chen L, Zhang Z, Chen W, Whelton PK, Appel LJ. Lower Sodium Intake and Risk of Headaches: Results From the Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(7):1270-5. PubMed
  15. Cook NR, Appel LJ, Whelton PK. Lower levels of sodium intake and reduced cardiovascular risk. Circulation. 2014;129(9):981-9. PubMed
  16. Cook NR, Appel LJ, Whelton PK. Sodium Intake and All-Cause Mortality Over 20 Years in the Trials of Hypertension Prevention. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016;68(15):1609-1617. PubMed
  17. Mente A, O'Donnell M, Rangarajan S, et al. Associations of urinary sodium excretion with cardiovascular events in individuals with and without hypertension: a pooled analysis of data from four studies. Lancet. 2016;388(10043):465-75. PubMed
  18. Moosavian SP, Haghighatdoost F, Surkan PJ, Azadbakht L. Salt and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2017;68(3):265-277. PubMed
  19. O'Donnell M, Mente A, Rangarajan S, et al. Urinary sodium and potassium excretion, mortality, and cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(7):612-23. DOI
  20. Poggio R, Gutierrez L, Matta MG, Elorriaga N, Irazola V, Rubinstein A. Daily sodium consumption and CVD mortality in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2015;18(4):695-704. PubMed
  21. Stallings VA, Harrison M, Oria M; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium, Food and Nutrition Board, Health and Medicine Division, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington (DC): National Acad
  22. Mahtani KR, Heneghan C, Onakpoya I, et al. Reduced Salt Intake for Heart Failure: A Systematic Review. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1693-1700. PubMed
  23. Yancy CW. Sodium Restriction in Heart Failure: Too Much Uncertainty-Do the Trials. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1700-1701. PubMed
  24. He FJ, Campbell NRC, Ma Y, MacGregor GA, Cogswell ME, Cook NR. Errors in estimating usual sodium intake by the Kawasaki formula alter its relationship with mortality: implications for public health. Int J Epidemiol. 2018;47(6):1784-1795. PubMed
  25. Murthy K, Ondrey GJ, Malkani N, et al. THE EFFECTS OF HYPONATREMIA ON BONE DENSITY AND FRACTURES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. Endocr Pract. 2019;25(4):366-378. PubMed
  26. Messerli FH, Hofstetter L, Syrogiannouli L, et al. Sodium intake, life expectancy, and all-cause mortality. Eur Heart J 2021;42(21):2103-2112. PubMed
  27. Graudal NA, Hubeck-Graudal T, Jurgens G. Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020;12(12):CD004022. PubMed
  28. Giatti S, Santos RB, Aielo AN, et al. Association of sodium with obstructive sleep apnea. The ELSA-Brasil study. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021;18(3):502-510. PubMed
  29. Nan X, Lu H, Wu J, et al. The interactive association between sodium intake, alcohol consumption and hypertension among elderly in northern China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2021;21(1):135. PubMed
  30. Kyozuka H, Fukusda T, Murata T, et al. Impact of preconception sodium intake on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: The Japan Environment and Children's study. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021;23:66-72. PubMed
  31. Zhao L, Ogden CL, Yang Q, et al. Association of usual sodium intake with obesity among US children and adolescents, NHANES 2009-2016. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2021;29(3):587-594. PubMed
  32. Ma Y, He FJ, Sun Q, et al. 24-Hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med 2022;386(3):252-263. PubMed
  33. Liu J, Yang X, Zhang P, et al. Association of urinary sodium excretion and left ventricular hypertrophy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021;12:728493. PubMed
  34. Filippini T, Malavolti M, Whelton PK, Vinceti M. Sodium intake and risk of hypertension: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational cohort studies. Curr Hypertens Rep 2022;24(5):133-144. PubMed
  35. Wang DD, Li Y, Nguyen XT, et al. Dietary sodium and potassium intake and risk of non-fatal cardiovascular diseases: The million veteran program. Nutrients 2022;14(5):1121. PubMed
  36. Kwak JH, Park CH, Eun CS, et al. The associations of dietary intake of high sodium and low zinc with gastric cancer mortality: A prospective cohort study in Korea. Nutr Cancer 2022;74(10):3501-3508. PubMed
  37. George S, Maiti R, Mishra BR, Jena M, Mohapatra D. Effect of regulated add-on sodium chloride intake on stabilization of serum lithium concentration in bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Bipolar Disord 2023;25(1):66-75. PubMed
  38. Zhou TL, Schütten MTJ, Kroon AA, et al. Urinary Sodium Excretion and Salt Intake Are Not Associated With Blood Pressure Variability in a White General Population. J Am Heart Assoc 2023;12(1):e026578. PubMed

See these in context on the Sodium 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 →

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 →

Lactobacillus Helveticus 2 references
  1. Pierce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: The Stonesong Press, 1999:19.
  2. 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

See these in context on the Lactobacillus Helveticus monograph →

Streptococcus Thermophilus 21 references
  1. Saxelin M, Chuang NH, Chassy B, et al. Lactobacilli and bacteremia in southern Finland 1989-1992. Clin Infect Dis 1996;22:564-6. PubMed
  2. Tynkkynen S, Singh KV, Varmanen P. Vancomycin resistance factor of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in relation to enterococcal vancomycin resistance (van) genes. Int J Food Microbiol 1998;41:195-204. PubMed
  3. Klein G, Zill E, Schindler R, et al. Peritonitis associated with vancomycin-resistant Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient; organism identification, antibiotic therapy, and case report. J Clin Microbiol 1998;36:
  4. Kalima P, Masterton RG, Roddie PH, et al. Lactobacillus rhamnosus infection in a child following bone marrow transplant. J Infect 1996;32:165-7. PubMed
  5. Goldin BR. Health Benefits of probiotics. Br J Nutr 1998;80:S203-7. DOI
  6. Rautio M, Jousimies-Somer H, Kauma H, et al. Liver abscess due to Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain indistinguishable from L. rhamnosus strain GG. Clin Infect Dis 1999;28:1159-60.
  7. MacGregor G, Smith AJ, Thakker B, Kinsella J. Yoghurt biotherapy: contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients? Postgrad Med J 2002;78:366-7. PubMed
  8. Land MH, Rouster-Stevens K, Woods CR, et al. Lactobacillus sepsis associated with probiotic therapy. Pediatrics 2005;115:178-81.
  9. De Groote MA, Frank DN, Dowell E, et al. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG bacteremia associated with probiotic use in a child with short gut syndrome. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2005;24:278-80. PubMed
  10. Vahabnezhad E, Mochon AB, Wozniak LJ, Ziring DA. Lactobacillus bacteremia associated with probiotic use in a pediatric patient with ulcerative colitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013;47(5):437-9. PubMed
  11. Dolatkhah N, Hajifaraji M, Abbasalizadeh F, Aghamohammadzadeh N, Mehrabi Y, Abbasi MM. Is there a value for probiotic supplements in gestational diabetes mellitus? A randomized clinical trial. J Health Popul Nutr. 2015;33:25. PubMed
  12. 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.
  13. Sendil S, Shrimanker I, Mansoora Q, Goldman J, Nookala VK. Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteremia in an immunocompromised renal transplant patient. Cureus. 2020;12(2):e6887. PubMed
  14. Albarillo FS, Shah U, Joyce C, Slade D. Lactobacillus rhamnosus Infection: A single-center 4-year descriptive analysis. J Glob Infect Dis. 2020;12(3):119-123. PubMed
  15. Pasala S, Singer L, Arshad T, Roach K. Lactobacillus endocarditis in a healthy patient with probiotic use. IDCases. 2020;22:e00915. PubMed
  16. Agrawal S, Tuchman ES, Bruce MJ, Theodorou ME. Fatal Lactobacillus endocarditis in a patient with transcatheter aortic valve replacement. BMJ Case Rep. 2020;13(11):e236835.
  17. Antoun M, Hattab Y, Akhrass FA, Hamilton LD. Uncommon pathogen, Lactobacillus, causing infective endocarditis: Case report and review. Case Rep Infect Dis. 2020;2020:8833948. PubMed
  18. 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
  19. Franko B, Vaillant M, Recule C, Vautrin E, et al. Lactobacillus paracasei endocarditis in a consumer of probiotics. Med Mal Infect. 2013;43(4):171-3. PubMed
  20. Campbell RE, Miller A, Afroze A. Native valve endocarditis secondary to Lactobacillus paracasei bacteremia. Consultant. 2020;60(9):27-8. DOI
  21. Kato K, Funabashi N, Takaoka H, et al. Lactobacillus paracasei endocarditis in a consumer of probiotics with advanced and severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis complicated with diffuse left ventricular mid-layer fibrosis. Int J Cardiol. 2016;224:157-161. PubMed

See these in context on the Streptococcus Thermophilus 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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