Here’s everything you need to know about when to stop taking supplements and medications before your SIBO Test.
To ensure the most accurate results from your SIBO breath test, it’s important to follow the correct preparation guidelines.
We recommend the following instructions, but please consult your GP or healthcare provider before stopping any prescribed medications.
If you’re unable to stop a medication or supplement listed in our guidance, please contact our Customer Services Team—some substances can be accounted for when interpreting your results. For medications we may advise that you speak to your GP.
Do not make any changes to your medications without medical advice.
Medications
Antibiotics
We recommend not using antibiotics for 4 weeks before testing. If you are taking a long-term antibiotic on an ongoing basis, please contact our Customer Services Team to check as you may still be able to take the test.
Antifungal medications
Antifungals include fluconazole, nystatin and amphotericin.
We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.
Anthelminthic
Anthelminthic medications include ivermectin and mebendazole.
These medications may cause gastro-intestinal related side-effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which may affect bowel motility. If you are taking one of these medications and experiencing these side-effects, we would recommend waiting until the side-effects have passed and normal bowel motility has returned before taking the test.
Antispasmodic
Antispasmodic medications include mebeverine.
We recommend avoiding this during the morning of the test.
Antiprotozoal
There are different kinds of antiprotozoal, including atovaquone, metronidazole and hydroxychloroquine.
We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.
Alginate antacids
These types of antacids include Peptac and some forms of Gaviscon.
We recommend avoiding alginate antacids for 24–48 hours before testing.
If the product also contains aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, we recommend not using it for at least 1 week before your test, as these ingredients may affect your results.
Aluminium and magnesium antacids
These types of antacids include Rennie and some forms of Gaviscon.
We recommend not using these for 1 week before testing.
Antidiarrheal agents
These types of medications include loperamide (Imodium).
We recommend not using this for 2 days before testing.
Bulk-forming laxatives
These types of laxative include Fybogel.
We recommend not to use these for 1 week before testing.
Osmotic laxatives
These laxatives include Lactulose and Movicol.
We recommend not using these for 1 week before testing.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton Pump Inhibitors include medications such as omeprazole or lansoprazole.
You do not need to stop taking your PPI before your SIBO test.
While some PPIs may contain small amounts of magnesium hydroxide—an ingredient we ask customers to avoid in certain antacids—the quantity present in PPIs is much lower and does not impact the test in the same way.
If possible, we recommend delaying your morning dose of PPI until after you’ve finished collecting your breath samples, as this may help improve test accuracy. However, this is not essential, and our practitioners can account for it when interpreting your results—just let us know.
Please consult your GP before making any changes to your usual medication routine.
Stimulant laxatives
These types of laxative include Senna, Bisacodyl and Dulcolax.
We recommend not using these for 2 days before testing, unless these laxatives cause diarrhoea. If you are experiencing diarrhoea as a result of taking a stimulant laxative then wait further until this has passed before taking the test.
Promotility medications
These medications include domperidone and metoclopramide.
We recommend not using these for 1 week before testing.
Supplements
Antimicrobials
We recommend not using these for 4 weeks before testing.
Probiotics
We recommend not using probiotics for 2 days before testing.
These do not include food sources, for example, kefir, kimchi, which should be avoided during the preparation diet as per the test instructions.
Prokinetic
Including the supplement MotilPro.
We recommend not using this for 3 days before testing.
Activated charcoal or Bentonite clay
We recommend not using this for 2-3 days before testing.
Magnesium/Vitamin C
We recommend avoiding during the preparation diet and on the morning of your test, unless the dose is enough to cause intestinal hurry or diarrhoea. If you are experiencing diarrhoea as a result of taking a large dose of magnesium then wait further until this has passed before taking the test.
Other non-essential supplements
We recommend avoiding any non-essential supplements during the preparation diet and on the morning of your test.
These supplements may include prebiotics, aloe vera, vitamins and minerals, HCL betaine, digestive enzymes, omega 3, curcumin and slippery elm.
If you are unable to stop any of these supplements then please contact our Customer Services Team for further advice
Colonoscopies
If you have recently had a colonoscopy, we recommend you wait at least 4 weeks before your SIBO test.