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

Live Bacteria Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Higher Nature

Live Bacteria label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Live Bacteria 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

Live Bacteria is a dietary supplement by Higher Nature with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive and gut health, prebiotic to support good bacteria, constipation relief.Based on those ingredients, 182 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bacillus coagulans. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Live Bacteria by Higher Nature

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Live Bacteria by Higher Nature — 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 Live Bacteria by Higher Nature

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 Aug 20, 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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: Bacillus coagulans, a live beneficial bacterium (probiotic), and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a type of carbohydrate that acts as a prebiotic — basically food for the good bacteria in your gut. The inactive ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, anti-caking agents, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose — the typical binders and fillers that hold a tablet together.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support immunity.
  • We looked for evidence on: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), immune function, infection prevention, respiratory health.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bacillus Coagulans is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (Natural Medicines).

Bacillus coagulans is possibly effective for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For other uses listed — antibiotic-associated diarrhea, athletic performance, cancer, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — the evidence isn't established in the data we hold.

Fructo-oligosaccharides haven't shown reliable evidence for any of the conditions listed: osteoporosis, constipation, diabetes, travelers' diarrhea, or high cholesterol. More research is needed before we can say whether it works for these.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) Bacillus Coagulans

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.

Bacillus coagulans is generally well tolerated in healthy adults, though the evidence and product quality vary across brands. There's concern in the medical literature about live probiotics causing serious infections in people who are severely ill, immunocompromised, or have central catheters — but reports in otherwise healthy people with intact immune systems are rare.

Still, we don't have enough reliable safety data, so check with your doctor before starting, especially if you have a weakened immune system or are critically ill. Fructo-oligosaccharides commonly cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence, particularly at higher doses — though a review of clinical trials shows doses under 10 grams daily don't increase these effects more than placebo.

Safety data for supplement-level doses is limited, so talk to your doctor before using. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety data for both ingredients are not on file — speak with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) Bacillus Coagulans

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 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bacillus Coagulans.
  • 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 medication type to double-check. Bacillus coagulans can be killed off by antibiotics if taken together, reducing how well the probiotic works — so separate your doses.

Altogether, these interactions span 182 individual medications. Use the search tool below to confirm your specific prescriptions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may help if you're dealing with constipation or IBS, thanks to its Bacillus coagulans content. The main thing to watch for is separating it from any antibiotics you're taking — don't take them at the same time.

If you're severely ill, immunocompromised, or have a central line, talk to your doctor first. Check your exact medications with the tool on this page before you start.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 22, 2021.

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 Live Bacteria, straight from the product label.

Brand Higher Nature
Barcode (UPC) 5031013108730
Net contents 28 Strip(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 22, 2021
DSLD ID 246095
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Children 4 or More Years of Age, Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Live Bacteria by Higher Nature, 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)
Servings per container
28
UPC/BARCODE
5031013108730
IngredientAmount% DV
Fructo-Oligosaccharides100 mg--
Bacillus coagulans10 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Fructo-Oligosaccharides, Anti-caking Agents, Bacillus coagulans, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Food Supplement

Formula

Includes one each of Vitamin C & Zinc Complex with Black Elderberry, Wellmune Beta Glucans with Vitamin D3 and Live Bacteria. Complete formula to support your immunity 150 million resilient live bacteria

A trio of supplements in a handy daily strip to support immunity

General Statements

NRV = Nutrient Reference Value

Best before end: See base

Also try daily nutrients for... Calm Energy & vitality A restful night Vegans

Blister strips not to be sold separately

This product has not been tested on animals.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Adults and children 13 and over take 1 strip (containing 2 different tablets and 1 capsule) daily with meals.

Precautions

Do not exceed recommended daily intake. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Storage

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Formulation

Vegetarian & vegan

Free from: Artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives, dairy products, gluten, lactose, salt, soya, wheat.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Wellmune is a registered trademark of Kerry Group.

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

See for yourself

Live Bacteria by Higher Nature label

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

Live Bacteria 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 Live Bacteria by Higher Nature

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 Servings per container28 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.

Fructo-Oligosaccharides

No known
interactions
100 mg per serving

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the helpful bacteria in your gut. They are gener...

Fructo-Oligosaccharides monograph & interactions

Bacillus coagulans

Interacts with
182 drugs
10 mg per serving

Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic that survives stomach acid well and may help with some digestive problems such as IBS, constipation, a...

Bacillus coagulans monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Fructo-Oligosaccharides, Anti-caking Agents, Bacillus coagulans, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Live Bacteria by Higher Nature Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Live Bacteria?

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

Bacillus coagulans 182

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Live Bacteria interact with 182 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in Live Bacteria interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bacillus coagulans

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Live Bacteria 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.

Bacillus coagulans1 drug type · 182 drugs

Antibiotic Drugs

Theoretically, taking antibiotics with Bacillus coagulans might decrease the effectiveness of B. coagulans.
B. coagulans 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 B. coagulans preparations by at least two hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Bacillus coagulans full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Live Bacteria, from the product label.

Higher Nature

See all Higher Nature products
Name
Higher Nature Ltd
Street Address
10 Discovery Way
City
Horam, East Sussex
ZipCode
TN21 0GE
Web Address
highernature.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Live Bacteria by Higher Nature: Common Questions

Does Live Bacteria by Higher Nature interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Live Bacteria 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?
Live Bacteria 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.
Will this help my constipation or IBS?
Bacillus coagulans in this product is possibly effective for both. That means the evidence suggests it may help, but it's not a guarantee — results vary from person to person. Talk to your doctor if you're not seeing improvement after a few weeks.
What's the difference between the bacteria and the FOS in this product?
Bacillus coagulans is a live probiotic — the beneficial bacteria itself. FOS is a prebiotic, which is food that feeds the good bacteria already in your gut. Together, they're meant to support your digestive health in different ways.
Why do I need to separate this from my antibiotics?
Antibiotics kill bacteria — including the live organisms in this product. If you take them at the same time, the antibiotic will wipe out a lot of the probiotic before it can do its job. Space them out a few hours apart so each one has a chance to work.
Will this give me gas and bloating?
FOS commonly causes gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, especially at higher doses. However, clinical trials show that doses under 10 grams daily don't cause these effects any more than a placebo does. Start low and see how you feel.
Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don't have enough safety data on file for either ingredient during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can weigh your individual situation and help you decide what's best.
Should I worry about serious infections from the live bacteria?
Serious infections have been reported mainly in people who are severely ill, have weakened immune systems, or have central catheters. If you're otherwise healthy with a normal immune system, the risk is very low — but if you fall into one of those categories, check with your doctor first.

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

Not sure if Live Bacteria 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.

Live Bacteria label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Live Bacteria’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the helpful bacteria in your gut. They are generally considered safe for most people in...

Read the full Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bacillus Coagulans

Interacts with 182 drugs

Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic that survives stomach acid well and may help with some digestive problems such as IBS, constipation, and certain types of diarrhea. The eviden...

Read the full Bacillus Coagulans monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Live Bacteria'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 26 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.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) 6 references
  1. Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7.
  2. Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. PubMed
  3. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. PubMed
  4. Souza DDS, Tahan S, Weber TK, Araujo-Filho HB, de Morais MB. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial assessing the effect of fructooligosaccharides in infants with constipation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). pii: E1602. PubMed
  5. Andermann TM, Fouladi F, Tamburini FB, et al. A Fructo-Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Is Well Tolerated in Adults Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2021;27(11):932. PubMed
  6. Dou Y, Yu X, Luo Y, Chen B, Ma D, Zhu J. Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Human: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3298. PubMed

See these in context on the Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) monograph →

Bacillus Coagulans 20 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. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Pasala S, Singer L, Arshad T, Roach K. Lactobacillus endocarditis in a healthy patient with probiotic use. IDCases. 2020;22:e00915. PubMed
  15. 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.
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Campbell RE, Miller A, Afroze A. Native valve endocarditis secondary to Lactobacillus paracasei bacteremia. Consultant. 2020;60(9):27-8. DOI
  20. 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 Bacillus Coagulans 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