Probiflora is a South African probiotic range — supplements containing live bacteria intended to support the balance of organisms in the gut. Probiotics are most commonly taken alongside antibiotics, for digestive upset, and for infant colic. The specific strains matter, so check what your pack contains.
What is Probiflora?
Probiflora is a probiotic brand rather than a single product. The range includes formulations for adults, children and infants, in capsules, sachets, chewable tablets and drops.
Probiotics are not registered as medicines in the same way, so a probiotic will not usually appear in the Medicine Price Registry. That is normal for this category, and it means the label on your pack is the authoritative source for what you have.
A probiotic is defined as live micro-organisms which, given in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit. Two words in that definition do a lot of work — live, and adequate amounts.
The gut contains an enormous population of bacteria that help digest food, produce certain vitamins, occupy space that would otherwise be available to harmful organisms, and interact with the immune system. Illness, antibiotics and diet can disturb that balance, and probiotics aim to help restore it.
The single most important thing to understand about probiotics is that effects are strain-specific. Not “probiotics” generally, but a particular strain, at a particular dose, for a particular condition. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has evidence for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea; Saccharomyces boulardii — actually a yeast — has evidence for certain diarrhoeas; Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 has evidence for infant colic.
A different strain is not interchangeable, even from the same species. This is why a general recommendation to “take a probiotic” is weaker than it sounds, and why comparing products means comparing strains rather than brand claims.
Check your pack for: the genus, species and strain designation (the letters and numbers after the species name), and the number of live organisms, usually given in CFU.
What is Probiflora commonly used for?
Probiotics are commonly taken for:
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea — the best-supported use. Antibiotics disturb normal gut bacteria, and certain probiotic strains reduce the likelihood of diarrhoea following a course.
- Infectious diarrhoea, where some strains modestly shorten the illness, particularly in children. Rehydration remains the priority.
- Irritable bowel syndrome, where some people get symptom relief, though results vary considerably.
- Infant colic, where Lactobacillus reuteri has reasonable evidence in breastfed infants.
- General digestive comfort — bloating, irregularity.
- Restoring gut bacteria after illness.
- Vaginal health, using specific strains.
The evidence is genuinely mixed across these, strong for some and weak for others, and results depend on the strain used. Probiotics are not a treatment for a diagnosed condition unless a doctor has advised it.
“Supporting immunity” and “detox” claims should be treated cautiously. The gut and the immune system do interact, but that does not translate into a demonstrated benefit from any particular supplement.
Who commonly looks for Probiflora and why
- People prescribed antibiotics, often on a pharmacist’s suggestion — the most common reason.
- Parents of an unsettled or colicky baby.
- Parents of a child with diarrhoea.
- People with irritable bowel syndrome or ongoing bloating.
- People recovering from a stomach bug.
- People with recurrent thrush or vaginal symptoms.
- Travellers, hoping to reduce the chance of traveller’s diarrhoea.
- People taking Lactovita or similar products, comparing options.
- People generally interested in gut health.
What to check on the label before taking Probiflora
- Which strains it contains — genus, species and strain designation. The most important item on the label.
- The number of live organisms (CFU) per dose.
- Which product in the range you have. Adult, child and infant formulations differ, and infant products are not simply smaller adult doses.
- 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 count can still be guaranteed.
- Whether it contains dairy, lactose, soya or gluten, if you have an allergy or intolerance.
- Whether it contains prebiotics — fibres that feed bacteria — which can cause wind initially.
- How to take it, including whether with food.
Safety, interactions and when to seek professional advice
For most healthy people, probiotics are well tolerated. Common effects are wind, bloating and mild abdominal discomfort in the first days, usually settling as the gut adjusts.
Some groups should not take probiotics without medical advice, because introducing live organisms carries real 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 before taking probiotics if you or the person taking them:
- Have a weakened immune system — from HIV with a low CD4 count, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant medicines, or after an organ transplant.
- Are seriously ill or in hospital, particularly in intensive care.
- Have a central venous catheter or other indwelling line.
- Have short bowel syndrome, or significant damage to the gut lining.
- Have had recent gastrointestinal surgery.
- Are a premature or very young infant — probiotics are used in some neonatal units, but that is a supervised medical decision.
- Have acute pancreatitis.
- Have a heart valve abnormality or prosthetic valve.
Timing around antibiotics: if taking a probiotic during an antibiotic course, separate them by two to three hours so the antibiotic does not simply kill the probiotic organisms. Continuing for a period after the course is common practice.
See a doctor rather than self-treating if you have:
- Diarrhoea lasting more than two days, or that keeps returning.
- Blood or mucus in the stool.
- Severe abdominal pain, or a swollen, tender abdomen.
- A high fever with diarrhoea.
- Signs of dehydration — dark or scanty urine, dizziness on standing. In a baby: drowsiness, no wet nappies, no tears when crying. Do not delay on this one.
- Unintended weight loss.
- A persistent change in bowel habit, particularly over 45.
- Severe diarrhoea during or after antibiotics, which may indicate a C. difficile infection needing specific treatment.
- A baby who is not feeding, is unusually drowsy, or is losing weight. Colic is common, but these need assessment.
Rehydration matters more than any supplement in diarrhoea. Oral rehydration solution replaces the fluid and salts that actually cause harm when lost.
Related supplement guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Probiflora used for? It is a probiotic range, taken to support the balance of bacteria in the gut — most commonly alongside antibiotics, for digestive upset, and for infant colic.
What are Probiflora tablets used for? The same purposes. Check your pack for which product in the range you have and which strains it contains, as formulations differ.
Do probiotics actually work? Evidence is strongest for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and some childhood diarrhoea, and mixed for other uses. Effects depend on the specific strain and dose.
Should I take it with antibiotics? This is the best-supported use. Separate the probiotic from the antibiotic by two to three hours so the antibiotic does not kill the organisms.
Can I give it to my baby? Infant-specific products exist, and some strains have evidence for colic. Ask a pharmacist or doctor, particularly for a premature or very young infant.
Does it need refrigerating? Some do, some do not. Check the label — storing a refrigerated product at room temperature can kill the bacteria and leave it ineffective.
Are probiotics safe for everyone? Not quite. People with weakened immune systems, serious illness, indwelling lines or significant gut damage should ask a doctor first.
Can it replace rehydration in diarrhoea? No. Oral rehydration solution is the priority, because fluid and salt loss is what causes harm.