Overview

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found naturally in the human gut. It's also found in fermented foods.

"Good" bacteria such as B. subtilis might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. These bacteria are sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and also found in dietary supplements.

People use B. subtilis for diarrhea from antibiotics. It is also used for athletic performance, eczema, constipation, indigestion, gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse B. subtilis with Bacillus coagulans, other probiotics, nattokinase, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that three previously recognized Bacillus subtilis subspecies have recently been reclassified. Some products marketed as B. subtilis might actually contain these newly classified Bacillus species, including Bacillus inaqosorum, Bacillus spizizenii, and Bacillus stercoris.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Diarrhea in people taking antibiotics (antibiotic-associated diarrhea). Taking B. subtilis by mouth seems to help prevent diarrhea from antibiotics.
There is interest in using B. subtilis for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Some B. subtilis strains are commonly consumed in foods. As medicine, B. subtilis is possibly safe for most people. B. subtilis strains BS50, B2335, CU1, MB40, MY02, and R0179 have been used safely in doses of 2-10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 2-8 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Some B. subtilis strains are commonly consumed in foods. As medicine, B. subtilis is possibly safe for most people. B. subtilis strains BS50, B2335, CU1, MB40, MY02, and R0179 have been used safely in doses of 2-10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for 2-8 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if B. subtilis is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Bacillus subtilis is safe for children, including very small premature infants.

Weakened immune system: Probiotics have caused blood infections in a small number of people with weakened immune systems. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider before taking probiotics, including B. subtilis.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Antibiotic drugs interacts with BACILLUS SUBTILIS

    B. subtilis is a type of friendly bacteria. Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Taking antibiotics along with B. subtilis can reduce the effects of B. subtilis. To avoid this interaction, take B. subtilis products at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics.

Dosing

In adults, B. subtilis has most often been taken by mouth alone or together with other probiotics in doses of 2-5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for up to 8 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.