Are Probiotics Safe To Take With Blood Pressure Medication?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not probiotics are safe to take with medication for high blood pressure.
I take amlodipine besylate and losartan potassium for high blood pressure. I need to take a probiotic because I developed a fingernail fungus due to doxycycline. Will the probiotic interact ok with the blood pressure meds?
Aug 12, 2022- Probiotics have no known interactions with blood pressure medications based on available evidence.
- Some probiotic species may lower blood pressure, so you should monitor your blood pressure to make sure it doesn't drop too low.
- Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you're taking so they can watch for any changes in your blood pressure.
Answer
Thank you for reaching out to us, great question!
Although there hasn't been a large number of studies evaluating potential drug interactions between probiotics (of which there are many different varieties) and blood pressure medications, there is no data to suggest that there is any interaction to be concerned about.
In fact, studies suggest that probiotics don't have any significant drug interaction outside of, potentially, antibiotic medications since they may kill the very probiotics that you are taking as a supplement.
However, it is important to note that several studies have shown that some probiotic species may lower blood pressure, so it is important to keep track of it to make sure it doesn't go too low (i.e. cause hypotension).
Probiotics And Blood Pressure
As mentioned, there aren't any known interactions between probiotics and blood pressure medications (including amlodipine and losartan), but you do want to be aware of probiotics potentially lowering your blood pressure overall.
One study, published in the Journal 'Hypertension', and referenced by the American Heart Association, concluded the following:
The present meta-analysis suggests that consuming probiotics may improve BP by a modest degree, with a potentially greater effect when baseline BP is elevated, multiple species of probiotics are consumed, the duration of intervention is greater than or equal to 8 weeks, or daily consumption dose is greater than or equal to 1011 colony-forming units.
The study noted in particular that probiotics seem to have a greater blood pressure reducing effect in those who had elevated blood pressure (i.e. hypertension) compared to those who had 'normal' blood pressure.
Several other studies have found similar results.
Although most of these studies that have found positive blood pressure effects with probiotics have been relatively small, it is a good indication that there may certainly be benefits here, and more studies are needed to definitively determine how they affect blood pressure overall.
Final Words
So, as the bottom line here, there are no known interactions between probiotics and blood pressure meds, but please take care knowing they may actually lower your blood pressure, which may require adjustments to your therapy so you don't drop too low.
As always, make sure you let your doctor know about all the medications and supplements you are taking.
References & sources
- Effect of Probiotics on Blood Pressure A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials — AHA Journals
- The effect of probiotics supplementation on blood pressure: a systemic review and meta-analysis — BMC
- Effect of a probiotic on blood pressure in grade 1 hypertension (HYPRO): protocol of a randomized controlled study — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Probiotics
- Live beneficial bacteria taken as supplements to support digestive and overall health.
- Drug interactions
- When two substances affect each other's effectiveness or safety when taken together.
- Antibiotic medications
- Drugs that kill bacteria in your body to treat infections.
- Hypotension
- Abnormally low blood pressure that can cause dizziness or other health problems.
- Meta-analysis
- A study that combines and analyzes results from multiple smaller studies to reach broader conclusions.
- Baseline BP
- Your normal or starting blood pressure before any treatment or intervention.
- Colony-forming units
- A measure of the number of live bacteria present in a probiotic supplement.
- Hypertension
- Chronically elevated blood pressure that increases health risks.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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