Common medications may reshape the gut microbiome long after the last dose is taken. A study of over 2,500 individuals found lasting microbial changes. These changes were linked to antibiotics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, acid-reducing drugs, and benzodiazepines. Some effects remained detectable years later.
Researchers at the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics led the study. They analyzed stool samples and prescription records from participants in the Estonian Biobank. Most examined medications were associated with differences in the gut microbiome. These differences persisted for years after medication use ceased.
The lasting effects extended beyond antibiotics. Antidepressants, beta-blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and benzodiazepines also showed distinct microbial fingerprints. Proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid. Beta-blockers treat conditions like high blood pressure. Benzodiazepines are used for anxiety.
One notable finding involved benzodiazepines. Their associations with the gut microbiome were comparable to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are known for significantly altering gut bacteria. The study also revealed that drugs within the same class could affect the microbiome differently. This suggests individual drugs, not just drug classes, should be considered.
Follow-up samples from a smaller group confirmed these findings. Predictable shifts in gut microbes occurred when participants started or stopped certain medications. This provides evidence that medications cause these observed differences. Persistent effects were confirmed for proton pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and antibiotics like penicillins and macrolides.
These findings suggest that past medication use strongly influences current gut bacteria. Researchers studying the microbiome and disease may need to consider a person's complete medication history. This could help distinguish disease-related microbiome changes from those caused by past treatments.
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