Hello!
I was prescribed antibiotics for otitis and the pharmacist recommended I take a probiotic called Bifistim Forte to help my gut recover.
Unfortunately, this product was a total letdown for me, and I'm warning you against wasting your money on it.
Bifistim ForteKey info:
Manufacturer: V-MIN+, RussiaQuantity: 10 tabletsStorage: at 25 degreesShelf life: 2 years
Bifistim Forte is a type of synbiotic, combining probiotics and prebiotics. The pharmacist told me it has a more potent formula than the regular Bifistim and contains vitamins, although I'm not sure which ones.
According to the instructions, Bifistim Forte is designed to be better absorbed by the body, despite the capsule looking like a regular, dissolvable one. I'm not sure how the probiotics make it to the intestines without being destroyed by stomach acid. However, even without an outer shell, bifidumbacterin can still be beneficial and produce noticeable results. So, it's possible that probiotics like these are effective, too, and not just placebos.
Bifistim Forte✔️Ingredients per capsule:
oligo-fructose; inulin; microcrystalline cellulose E 460 (filler); bacterial probiotic lyophilized cultures: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum; silicon dioxide E 551 (anti-caking agent); magnesium stearate E 470 (anti-caking agent).
Bifistim ForteLooking at the ingredients, it seems one capsule per day doesn't cover the daily recommended amount.
✔️Instructions
Bifistim Forte Bifistim Forte
✔️ Indications:
For restoring gut microbiota;
For stabilizing gut microbiota in cases of malnutrition;
During states of desadaptation (including pronounced physical and emotional stress, "traveler's diarrhea");
As an additional source of probiotics, dietary fibers, and vitamins;
For women during pregnancy to improve gut function;
For improving digestion in older adults, due to age-related changes in enzymatic systems.
✔️ Pharmacological properties:
Bifistim Forte is a balanced complex containing several components: physiologically active live microbial probiotic cells of bifido- and lactobacillus (in a total of 5 x 10^9 CFU per dose) and prebiotics (oligofructose, inulin), which promote rapid colonization of the gut microbiota.
Produced using a unique patented (European Patent No. EP 1 514 553) biological technology LAB2PROTM. The LAB2PROTM technology enhances the protection of probiotic lyophilized cultures during production, transportation, shelf life, and passage through the digestive tract.
✔️ How to take / Properties
Take during meals, with water.
Age restrictions - 14+.
Bifistim Forte I opened one capsule to check if it's not a dud. The contents have a bread-like taste, common to all probiotics and fermented foods. The smell is barely noticeable.
Bifistim Forte The capsule is standard size, easy to swallow, and goes down with water like a breeze. The capsule itself has no taste.
Bifistim Forte I always wash it down with a big glass of clean water to get the medicine working faster. Vitamins recommend doing it this way to flush out any excess and avoid overdoing it.
✔️ My Experience:
Having a double-sided ear infection is no picnic, especially when it's in the advanced stages.
My treatment plan was as follows:
Ceftriaxone antibiotic was prescribed for 7 days (14 injections)I took Bifistim Forte from day 1 to the end of the course.I used Polidexa, a local treatment for the ear infection.
For the first 5 days, everything was smooth sailing. I stuck to my medication schedule and didn't hold back on my diet. The antibiotics did take a toll on my gut (I experienced some stomach pain and digestive issues), but it didn't last long. I even surprised myself by completing 10 injections without any major side effects.
However, starting from day 6, I developed a nasty case of dysbiosis. My digestive system went haywire. I took all the capsules in the pack, but nothing changed.
The Bifistim course is supposed to last 20 days, which means I would've had to buy two packs (worth 900 rubles). Come on, who would shell out that kind of cash for a probiotic without knowing if it'll even work?
I've had experience with Ceftriaxone before, and I've used probiotics like Maxilak or Bak-Set to help prevent side effects. So, I know there are alternatives that can make a difference.
I think my gut was trying to hold on, but without the right support, it couldn't cope.
After Bifistim, I switched to a different probiotic, and my digestive issues disappeared overnight. So, Bifistim is a dud in my book. I'm still wondering why the pharmacist recommended it, especially with the added vitamins.
It's no secret I'm not a fan of Bifistim, but I will give it some credit – it's approved for people 14 and older, as well as pregnant women.
Bifistim Forte So, the Verdict
I've got to say, Bifistim was a total letdown for me. I was hoping it would help with my digestive issues after taking antibiotics, but it didn't do the trick. It wasn't until I switched to a different medication that my bowel movements returned to normal.
Next time, I'll be opting for a tried-and-true remedy. Bifistim Forte can stay on the pharmacy shelf, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks for reading!