How many times a day should a probiotic be taken?

Patients should consult with their doctor to determine the number of doses of probiotics to take daily, according to WebMD. Because there are many different types of probiotic, there is no set dosage.

Manufacturers measure doses by the number of live colonies or the number of colony-forming units. Manufacturers may include from 1 billion to 10 billion Lactobacillus acidophilus in a typical dose, split between three to four doses. Other sources of probiotics include food, such as yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut. Although there are few side effects from probiotics, they can interfere with medications, so patients should check with a doctor prior to use, warns WebMD.