Culturelle Chewable Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Culturelle Chewable Tablet contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a bacteria that naturally lives in the intestines, from the Antidiarrheals and Probiotics drug class. It works as a probiotic, or "friendly bacteria," to help prevent harmful bacteria from growing in the stomach and intestines. It is used to help with diarrhea, colic, and general digestive health support. This Kids chewable product is labeled for ages 3 to 12.

What is Culturelle Chewable Tablet

This is a bacteria that lives naturally in the body, mostly in the intestines. It is used as a probiotic, or "friendly bacteria," to help stop harmful bacteria from growing in the stomach and intestines.

Culturelle Chewable Tablet uses

• Likely effective for treating or preventing diarrhea caused by rotavirus in babies and children
• Possibly effective for treating colic in babies
• Possibly effective for preventing diarrhea in children that can happen while taking antibiotics
• Supports digestive health

Benefits of Culturelle Chewable Tablet

• Helps populate the gut with good bacteria to support healthy digestion
• May help reduce occasional digestive upset
• Works with the body's natural microbiome, where a large part of the immune system resides
• Supports overall health and well-being

How Culturelle Chewable Tablet works

This medicine is a bacteria that exists naturally in the body, primarily in the intestines, and works as a probiotic or "friendly bacteria" to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

Culturelle Chewable Tablet dosage

This product may be taken with or without food. If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of baby food or applesauce to make swallowing easier, and swallow right away; do not save the mixture for later use, and discard the empty capsule. If taking it to prevent traveler's diarrhea, start 2 or 3 days before travel and keep taking it daily throughout the trip. Do not use more than the amount recommended on the label. Do not use different forms of this probiotic at the same time unless your healthcare provider tells you to, since you may get too much of the product. Avoid taking this product within 2 hours before or after taking any other medicine, especially an antibiotic, since some antibiotics can make it less effective. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating does not improve or gets worse while using this product.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Chewable tablet
• Powder/packet
• Drops

Side effects of Culturelle Chewable Tablet

Common

• Stomach bloating or gas
• Minor bloating, gas, or intestinal gurgling when first starting, which should subside with continued use

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• You may not be able to use this medicine if you have short bowel syndrome or a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicines.
• Do not take this product without medical advice if you are using drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cancer medicine, steroid medicine (prednisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others), or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
• This product is sold as an herbal supplement and is not regulated the same way as medicines, so some supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs; buy from a reliable source.
• Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA, and it should not be used in place of medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant. Ask a doctor before using this product if you are breast-feeding. No routine kidney-specific dose adjustment is established. 
• No major direct liver interaction is generally expected. This product does not normally affect driving or alertness, including with alcohol.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and sunlight
• Keep each capsule in its foil blister pack until you are ready to take it
• You may also store this product in the refrigerator
• Do not freeze
• Do not use this product if the blister foil covering the capsules is torn

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• If you think you have used too much, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center.
• Consult your healthcare professional if minor bloating, gas, or intestinal gurgling symptoms persist after two weeks of use.
• Call your doctor if the condition you are treating does not improve or gets worse while using this product.

Alternatives

• Align Probiotic
• Florastor
• BioGaia