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Yogurt Doesn’t Mix with Certain Antibiotics

Q. I suffer from digestive upset when taking antibiotics, and I’d like to counter that with the probiotic bacteria in yogurt. Does taking antibiotics with yogurt affect absorption of antibiotics?

A. It depends to a certain extent on the antibiotic, but many should not be taken within a few hours of yogurt or other calcium-rich foods. That includes antibiotics in the tetracycline family (for example, demeclocycline, oxytetracycline or tetracycline) and drugs such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, but not ofloxacin. Fruit juice fortified with calcium can also interfere with antibiotic absorption.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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