OPERATIONS NOW –
Oct. 14, 2025 – Beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart conditions, were linked to changes in gut bacteria that were detectable.
The same held true for anti-anxiety medications, including Xanax and Valium. Antidepressants had similar carryover effects, as did proton pump inhibitors, medications millions take for acid reflux and heartburn. The microbiome is the body’s collection of beneficial bacteria. Its health relies on a diverse population of bacteria to fight disease, absorb nutrients and regulate immune and metabolic systems. It is influenced by everything from diet and lifestyle to the medications a person takes, including common prescription drugs.
The new study confirmed that commonly prescribed medications, ranging from antibiotics to antidepressants, consistently reduce the diversity of gut bacteria, sometimes for years.
A less diverse microbiome is linked to a weaker gut barrier, chronic inflammation and a compromised immune system. This state of imbalance, known as dysbiosis, creates a state of chronic inflammation and weakened immune defense that is a recognized breeding ground for cancer development, specifically, colorectal cancer.
