Background

Ligilactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found naturally in the human body. It's also found in fermented foods.

"Good" bacteria such as L. salivarius 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 L. salivarius for diarrhea from antibiotics, asthma, eczema, diabetes, dental cavities, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse L. salivarius with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that L. salivarius used to be classified under the Lactobacillus genus. But Lactobacillus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some product labels might still list this species as Lactobacillus salivarius rather than its new name, Ligilactobacillus salivarius.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: L. salivarius is possibly safe when used for up to 16 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.

When applied to the vagina: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. salivarius is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: L. salivarius is possibly safe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It's been used safely until delivery, starting at about 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. salivarius is safe to use while breast-feeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used appropriately.

Children: L. salivarius is possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately in children of most ages. It's been used safely alone and together with other probiotics for up to 16 weeks. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if L. salivarius is safe for 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 L. salivarius.

Damaged heart valves: Probiotic preparations can cause an infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valve. This is extremely rare, but people with damaged heart valves should stop taking probiotics, including L. salivarius, before dental procedures or surgical procedures.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

L. salivarius has most often been used by adults alone or together with other probiotics in doses of 1-2 billion colony-forming units by mouth daily for up to 16 weeks. It's also been applied to the vagina in a tablet. In children, doses have varied. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Antibiotic drugs

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.