Reuterina is a South African probiotic range built around Lactobacillus reuteri, a bacterium with reasonable evidence for infant colic and for diarrhoea. The drops are widely used for unsettled babies. Check your pack, as the range includes several products with different strengths and formats.
What is Reuterina?
Reuterina is a probiotic brand rather than a single product. The range includes drops for infants, chewable tablets, capsules and sachets, formulated for different ages.
The name reflects the organism: Lactobacillus reuteri (now often reclassified as Limosilactobacillus reuteri). Check your own pack for the exact strain, the number of live organisms, and whether anything else — such as vitamin D — is included, as this page cannot tell you what a specific product contains.
Probiotics are not registered as medicines in the same way, so they generally do not appear in the Medicine Price Registry. That is normal for the category, and it means the label is your authoritative source.
A probiotic is defined as live micro-organisms which, given in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit — and both live and adequate amounts carry weight.
The most important thing to understand about probiotics is that effects are strain-specific. Not “probiotics” in general, but a particular strain, at a particular dose, for a particular condition. L. reuteri DSM 17938 is the strain with the best-studied evidence for infant colic; a different L. reuteri strain, or a different species, is not automatically equivalent.
L. reuteri naturally occurs in the human gut and in breast milk. It produces lactic acid and other substances that inhibit less desirable organisms, and appears to influence gut motility and the sensitivity of gut nerves — which is the proposed reason for its effect in colic.
What is Reuterina commonly used for?
- Infant colic — the most common reason, and where the evidence is strongest. Studies have shown reduced crying time in breastfed infants; evidence in formula-fed babies is weaker and less consistent.
- Infant regurgitation and unsettledness.
- Acute infectious diarrhoea, particularly in children, where certain probiotic strains modestly shorten the illness.
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, one of the better-supported probiotic uses generally.
- Constipation and irregularity, where evidence is mixed.
- General digestive comfort in adults.
- Supporting gut bacteria after illness or antibiotics.
Set realistic expectations for colic. Where probiotics help, the effect is a reduction in crying time, not elimination of it. Colic typically begins around two to three weeks, peaks near six weeks, and settles by three to four months on its own. That does not make it easy — persistent crying is genuinely exhausting, and it is one of the hardest parts of early parenthood — but it does mean the goal is usually comfort and support rather than cure.
Rehydration remains the priority in diarrhoea, particularly in babies. Oral rehydration solution replaces the fluid and salts whose loss actually causes harm; no probiotic does that.
Who commonly looks for Reuterina and why
- Parents of a colicky or unsettled baby — the largest group by far, often on a pharmacist’s or clinic’s suggestion.
- Parents of a child with diarrhoea, or a child taking antibiotics.
- Adults prescribed antibiotics, hoping to avoid diarrhoea.
- People with irritable bowel syndrome or ongoing bloating.
- People recovering from a stomach bug.
- People comparing it with Probiflora or Lactovita and wanting to know the difference — which comes down to strains and dose.
- Parents wanting to try something before or alongside medical advice for a distressed baby.
What to check on the label before taking Reuterina
- The exact strain, including its designation — the letters and numbers after the species name. The most important item on the label.
- The number of live organisms (CFU) per dose.
- Which product in the range you have. Infant drops, chewables and capsules are different, and infant products are not simply smaller adult doses.
- The age it is intended for.
- Storage instructions. Some probiotics need refrigeration, others are shelf-stable. Storing a refrigerated product at room temperature can kill the organisms, leaving a supplement that does nothing.
- The expiry date, which for probiotics reflects when the stated CFU can still be guaranteed.
- Whether vitamin D is included, as some infant drops combine the two — relevant if you already give a separate vitamin D supplement.
- Allergens, including dairy or soya.
- How to give it — drops are usually given on a spoon or directly, not added to a hot bottle, which would kill the bacteria.
Safety, interactions and when to seek professional advice
For healthy infants, children and adults, probiotics are generally well tolerated. Common effects are mild wind, bloating or abdominal discomfort in the first days.
Some groups should not take probiotics without medical advice, because introducing live organisms carries genuine risk where the immune system or gut barrier is compromised. There are documented cases of probiotic organisms causing bloodstream infections in vulnerable patients.
Speak to a doctor first if the person taking it:
- Has a weakened immune system — from HIV with a low CD4 count, chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, or after a transplant.
- Is seriously ill or in hospital, particularly in intensive care.
- Has a central venous catheter or other indwelling line.
- Is a premature infant, or has a very low birth weight. Probiotics are used in some neonatal units, but as a supervised medical decision.
- Has short bowel syndrome, or significant gut damage.
- Has had recent gastrointestinal surgery.
- Has a heart valve abnormality or prosthetic valve.
Around antibiotics: separate the probiotic from the antibiotic by two to three hours, so the antibiotic does not simply kill the organisms.
Take a baby to a clinic or hospital promptly — do not rely on a supplement — if they have:
- Signs of dehydration: a sunken fontanelle, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or fewer wet nappies.
- Unusual drowsiness, floppiness, or difficulty waking.
- A high-pitched or continuous inconsolable cry.
- Fever in a baby under three months.
- Persistent or forceful vomiting, or green vomit.
- Blood in the stool or vomit.
- Fast or laboured breathing.
- A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.
- Refusal to feed, or weight loss.
- A swollen or hard tummy.
Also ask for help if crying is not settling and you are exhausted or struggling to cope. That is a real reason to speak to a clinic, and staff deal with it routinely.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Reuterina used for? It is a probiotic range built around Lactobacillus reuteri, used mainly for infant colic, for diarrhoea, and to support gut bacteria during and after antibiotics.
What are Reuterina drops used for in babies? Most commonly infant colic and unsettledness. Evidence is strongest in breastfed babies, and the effect is reduced crying time rather than elimination.
What are Reuterina tablets used for? The chewable and capsule forms are for older children and adults — general digestive support, and alongside antibiotics.
Do probiotics really help colic? L. reuteri DSM 17938 has reasonable evidence in breastfed infants. Results vary, and colic settles by three to four months regardless.
How long before I see a difference? Studies in colic generally look at a week or more of daily use. If nothing changes, speak to your clinic rather than continuing indefinitely.
Can I add drops to a bottle? Do not add them to a hot bottle, which kills the bacteria. Follow the pack instructions — drops are usually given directly or on a spoon.
Does it need refrigerating? Check the label. Some do, some do not, and storing a refrigerated product warm can render it ineffective.
Is it safe for a premature baby? Ask a doctor first. Probiotics are used in some neonatal units, but that is a supervised medical decision.