Physician's Choice
How to Take and Store Physician's Choice Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
Take 1 capsule of 60 Billion Probiotic a day, with or without food, and store it in a cool, dry place: it does not need refrigeration. Take 1 Digestive Enzymes capsule with your largest meal of the day; many people take one more with another heavy meal, and most do not go above 2 a day.
If you are pregnant or nursing, under 18, or take prescription medication, check with your doctor first.
| Product | How much | When | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Billion Probiotic | 1 capsule a day | Any time, with or without food. The same time each day is best. | Cool, dry place. No refrigeration needed. |
| Digestive Enzymes | 1 capsule. Most people take no more than 2 a day. | With your largest meal, just before you eat or with the first few bites. | Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. No refrigeration needed. |
| Hack Your Tummy Bundle | 1 probiotic capsule and 1 enzyme capsule | Probiotic any time. Enzyme with your biggest meal. | As for each bottle above. |
By the Physician's Choice Team. Directions are from our product labels, product pages and help center.
60 Billion Probiotic: when and how to take it
Take 1 capsule daily, with or without food. The capsule is an acid-resistant, delayed-release vegetable capsule (hypromellose and gellan gum), so you may take your dose with or without a meal.
Take it at whatever time of day is most comfortable for you, morning or night. For best results, take it at the same time every day.
Does 60 Billion Probiotic need to be refrigerated?
No. 60 Billion Probiotic does not need refrigeration. Store it in a cool, dry place. The box says "No refrigeration necessary."
- The bottle uses CSP™ bottle technology, which keeps out moisture and light to protect potency and shelf life.
- The 60 billion CFU on the label is the count at expiration. We add extra at the factory, so you still get 60 billion the day before it expires, not just the day it is made.
See all 10 strains and their strain codes in our strain dossier. For why a shelf-stable probiotic does not need the fridge, read Do probiotics need refrigeration?
Digestive Enzymes: when and how to take it
Take 1 capsule with your largest meal of the day, or as directed by your healthcare provider. The enzymes work on the food in your meal, so take the capsule just before you eat or with the first few bites. If you forget, take it right after the meal.
If you prefer not to take it with every meal, take it with large meals or with the foods that tend to bother you. Many people take an extra capsule with another heavy meal. Most do not go above 2 a day. If you want to take more than that regularly, check with your healthcare provider first.
Not sure which enzyme matches the food that bothers you? Read Bloating After Meals: Match the Digestive Enzyme to the Food. More on timing: When to Take Digestive Enzymes.
How to store Digestive Enzymes
- Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and close the bottle tightly after use. A kitchen cabinet beats the bathroom, where shower humidity can shorten shelf life.
- It does not need refrigeration. If your home gets very hot, or the temperature swings a lot, you can keep it in the refrigerator. It will not hurt the product.
- Shelf life is about 2 years from the date of manufacture. The exact date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Taking the probiotic and the enzymes together
Yes, you can take 60 Billion Probiotic and Digestive Enzymes on the same day. Take the probiotic once a day, any time. Take the enzyme capsule with your biggest meal. Since the probiotic can be taken with or without food, you can take both with that meal.
The Hack Your Tummy Bundle pairs the two. They do different jobs: enzymes help break down the food in a meal, and probiotics help support the gut microbiome over time.‡ Read Probiotics vs. Digestive Enzymes for more.
Pregnancy, nursing, children and medications
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: please check with your physician before taking any of our supplements.
- Digestive Enzymes is not recommended for children under 18, or anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or on prescription medication, without first speaking to a healthcare provider.
- Children and teens: for 60 Billion Probiotic, check with your child's primary care physician first. For people under 18 we typically recommend our Kids Probiotic, made for kids 4 years and up.
- Medications or a health condition: check with your physician before you start any new supplement.
- Allergies: Digestive Enzymes contains bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya. If you have a pineapple or papaya allergy, speak with your provider first.
Taking an antibiotic?
Ask the doctor or pharmacist who prescribed it how to time your probiotic. Our Journal notes that the general guidance is to take a probiotic and an antibiotic at least two hours apart. Read more in Can You Take Probiotics With Antibiotics?
Directions for other Physician's Choice products
Most of our products can be taken when convenient, with no set time of day. If a product needs to be taken a certain way, the label says so.
| Product | Directions on the product page |
|---|---|
| Women's Probiotic | Take 1 capsule daily, with or without food. No refrigeration required. Store in a cool, dry place. |
| Bloat + Gas Probiotic | Take one (1) capsule daily. |
| Fiber Gummies | Take 2 gummies daily, any time of day, with or without food. |
Questions shoppers ask
Does Physician's Choice probiotic need to be refrigerated?
No. 60 Billion Probiotic does not need refrigeration. Store it in a cool, dry place. The bottle keeps out moisture and light, and the 60 billion CFU on the label is the count at expiration, not just the day it is made.
"Label says with meals. Internet says 15 minutes before." When should I take digestive enzymes?
Both point the same way: the enzymes need to meet the food. Our direction is 1 Digestive Enzymes capsule with your largest meal. Just before you eat, or with the first few bites, works well. Taking it 5 to 10 minutes before the meal is one common approach.
Digestive enzymes: once a day or every meal?
The serving is once a day: 1 capsule with your largest meal. If you like, you can also take one with another large meal or with foods that tend to bother you. Most people do not go above 2 a day.
"I started taking a prebiotic, probiotic enzyme. When is the best time to take it?"
Digestive Enzymes has enzymes, prebiotic fiber and probiotics in one capsule. Take it with your largest meal, just before you eat or with the first few bites. If you also take 60 Billion Probiotic, take it once a day at any time, with or without food.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Please check with your physician before taking any of our supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding. Digestive Enzymes is not recommended during pregnancy or nursing without first speaking to a healthcare provider.
Can I take a probiotic while I am on an antibiotic?
Ask the doctor or pharmacist who prescribed the antibiotic how to time your probiotic. The general guidance in our Journal is to take them at least two hours apart.
‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources: Physician's Choice product labels and product pages for 60 Billion Probiotic, Digestive Enzymes, the Hack Your Tummy Bundle, Women's Probiotic, Bloat + Gas Probiotic and Fiber Gummies; our strain dossier; our help center answers on refrigeration, timing, pregnancy, medications and age; our Journal articles Can You Take Probiotics With Antibiotics? and When to Take Digestive Enzymes.