{"id":319586,"date":"2025-10-20T22:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T22:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/319586\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T22:03:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T22:03:11","slug":"these-medications-impact-your-gut-microbiome-for-years-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/319586\/","title":{"rendered":"These Medications Impact Your Gut Microbiome for Years\u2014Study"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul data-node-id=\"2\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"2.0\">New research finds certain medications may impact your gut microbiome for years after you take them. <\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"2.1\">That could affect several areas of your health. <\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"2.2\">Doctors explain how this may influence prescriptions in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Each body is unique\u2014particularly your gut; everything from what you eat to your genetics can influence its exact makeup. Now, new research suggests that medications you took years ago may have an impact on your gut microbiome that can last for up to a decade.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"5\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">That\u2019s the major takeaway from a scientific analysis published in the American Society for Microbiology\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/doi\/10.1128\/msystems.00541-25\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/doi\/10.1128\/msystems.00541-25\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"mSystems\" data-node-id=\"5.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">mSystems<\/a> journal. For the analysis, researchers evaluated stool samples and prescription medication information from more than 2,500 people who participated in the Estonian Biobank\u2019s Microbiome cohort.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">The researchers found that most medications were linked with noticeable changes in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/health\/a60672537\/artificial-sweeteners-may-damage-gut-health-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/health\/a60672537\/artificial-sweeteners-may-damage-gut-health-study\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"gut microbiome\" data-node-id=\"6.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">gut microbiome<\/a>, and that they stuck around long after people stopped taking the drugs.  The researchers also looked at follow-up samples from a smaller group and found that starting or stopping certain medications led to predictable shifts in people\u2019s gut microbiomes. But, doctors warn against stopping a medication (even if it\u2019s on this list); always consult your physician before making any change.<br data-node-id=\"6.3\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"body-tip css-19jy3s emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"8.0\">Meet the experts<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/ut.ee\/en\/employee\/elin-org\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/ut.ee\/en\/employee\/elin-org\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Elin Org, Ph.D\" data-node-id=\"8.2\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Elin Org, Ph.D<\/a>., is a study co-author and head of the Micobiome Research Group at University of Tartu; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/doctors\/profile\/198965-rudolph-albert-bedford\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/doctors\/profile\/198965-rudolph-albert-bedford\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Rudolph Bedford, M.D.\" data-node-id=\"8.4\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Rudolph Bedford, M.D.<\/a>, is a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; <a href=\"https:\/\/cabm.rutgers.edu\/person\/martin-j-blaser\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/cabm.rutgers.edu\/person\/martin-j-blaser\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Martin Blaser, M.D.\" data-node-id=\"8.6\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Martin Blaser, M.D.<\/a>, is chair of the Henry Rutgers Chair of the Human Microbiome at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School<br data-node-id=\"8.8\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Given that your gut microbiome is influenced by several things, including your diet, it\u2019s fair to wonder why these changes matter\u2014and which drugs are linked to this. Here\u2019s what doctors want you to know.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"10.0\">Which medications impacted the gut microbiome?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"11\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">A lot of medications have the potential to impact the gut microbiome, based on the findings. However, these are some of the more common drugs that the researchers flagged:<\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"12.0\">     Antibiotics<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"12.1\">     Antidepressants<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"12.2\">     Antipsychotics<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"12.3\">     Beta-blockers<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"12.4\">     Proton pump inhibitors<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"12.5\">     Benzodiazepines <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">The researchers also discovered that benzodiazepines (which are often used for anxiety) created microbiome changes that were similar to those seen with antibiotics. <\/p>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"14.0\">Why might some medications \u2018rewire\u2019 your gut microbiome?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Doctors have known for a while that medications can influence your gut microbiome, says <a href=\"https:\/\/ut.ee\/en\/employee\/elin-org\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/ut.ee\/en\/employee\/elin-org\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Elin Org, Ph.D\" data-node-id=\"15.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Elin Org, Ph.D<\/a>., a study co-author and head of the Micobiome Research Group at the University of Tartu. This comes up commonly with taking antibiotics, she points out. (Antibiotics help fight infections, but may also kill good and bad bacteria in your gut). <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"16\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">But her research found that it\u2019s not just antibiotics that hold influence, and that those results may linger for years. \u201cSuch medications may reduce or boost certain bacterial groups and change the overall diversity of the gut ecosystem,\u201c Ong says. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">To understand the greater impact this may have, it\u2019s important to explain it. \u201cThe microbiome is a collection of organisms competing with each other and with the host, and subject to natural selection,\u220f says <a href=\"https:\/\/cabm.rutgers.edu\/person\/martin-j-blaser\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/cabm.rutgers.edu\/person\/martin-j-blaser\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Martin Blaser, M.D.\" data-node-id=\"17.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Martin Blaser, M.D.<\/a>, chair of the Henry Rutgers Chair of the Human Microbiome at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. \u201cWhen you add a new food\u2014it favors certain bugs and they crowd out other bugs. Same for a medication.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/doctors\/profile\/198965-rudolph-albert-bedford\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/doctors\/profile\/198965-rudolph-albert-bedford\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Rudolph Bedford, M.D.\" data-node-id=\"18.0\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Rudolph Bedford, M.D.<\/a>, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, says there many ways different medications may influence your gut microbiome. \u201cWe commonly prescribe things like proton pump inhibitors, which decrease the acid in your stomach,\u201d he says. \u201cImagine the bacteria in your mouth then finding its way down to your stomach when the acid is reduced. Then, you have different bacterial flora that develop. You transform the bacterial flora with any medication you take.\u201d<br data-node-id=\"18.2\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"19.0\">Why does this matter?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"20\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">These changes won\u2019t just impact your gut microbiome. \u201cThey may influence metabolism, immune function, and disease risk,\u201d Ong says. She cites this example from her findings: People who took several drug classes had lower bacterial diversity and more bacteria linked with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.prevention.com\/inflammation\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"http:\/\/www.prevention.com\/inflammation\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"inflammation\" data-node-id=\"20.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">inflammation<\/a>. While the research team didn\u2019t link medication use with certain diseases, chronic inflammation is <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11592557\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11592557\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"linked\" data-node-id=\"20.3\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">linked<\/a> with a host of serious health complications, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and several autoimmune conditions. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"21\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">\u201cThis may even impact your ability to effectively respond to other medications down the road because your gut microbiome has changed,\u201d Dr. Bedford says. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to figure out why we\u2019re seeing much more mental disorders and more colon cancers at younger ages. One of the theories is that the gut microbiomes have been changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">But Dr. Blaser stresses that more research is needed. \u201cIt may or may not matter\u2014depends which bugs are changed, how much, how long\u2014this should be a major area of study,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"23.0\">The bottom line<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"24\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Doctors stress: It\u2019s important to take your medication as prescribed to treat the health condition or issue you\u2019re dealing with. But altering your medication dosage or how often you take it beyond what your doctor recommends may negatively influence your gut health, too. <br data-node-id=\"24.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"25\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">\u201cWhen drugs are taken incorrectly, they can intensify microbiome disturbances and impair the body\u2019s natural defenses and metabolism,\u201d Ong says. \u201cTaking medications exactly as prescribed helps minimize unwanted side effects, both in the human body and within the microbiome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">But Ong says that the potential impact of medications on the gut microbiome should be considered in research and by prescribing doctors. \u201cOur findings highlight that even past drug use can leave a lasting imprint,\u201d she says. \u201cAt the same time, we found that even within the same class of drugs, individual medications can affect the microbiome in very different ways. If two drugs work equally well, doctors may opt for the one that has a smaller impact on the gut microbiome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"27\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Ultimately, Dr. Bedford says more research is needed. \u201cWe\u2019re still at the beginning of trying to figure out how the gut microbiome affects all of this,\u201d he says. \u201cBut we\u2019re getting closer and closer every year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Related Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"New research finds certain medications may impact your gut microbiome for years after you take them. That could&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":319587,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[6543,160298,1201,210,2875,1060,160297,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-319586","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-content-type-news-explainer","9":"tag-contentid-7dd38714-b13b-492c-910e-b10417ebc8cd","10":"tag-displaytype-standard-article","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-locale-us","13":"tag-medication","14":"tag-shorttitle-study-these-medications-influence-gut-health","15":"tag-united-states","16":"tag-unitedstates","17":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115408759091033899","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/319587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=319586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=319586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}