Kevin - I'd like to expound upon your question.  I just started taking VSL#3 and am having a hard time with it as well.  Must you mix it with food or can it be swallowed like a pill? It does give me mild cramps as well.  I have the capsules and don't truly know how to get it down.  Thanks in advance, Kara

They sell it in pill and powder form. I drink the powder with water, without food. I've been told you can take it with our without food. I've felt sick all day after taking it last night, so I'm wondering if I'm doing more harm then good by trying to take it, or if this is something I will get over after my body adjusts. I'm wondering if possibly my body does not need this level of bacteria and am wondering if I should take a probiotic at all.

I was told not to mix with water and to mix with food like applesauce. That's what I do and it works... I love this stuff!!!

hope this helps!

Janie

Can I just swallow like a pill? 

If you have the capsules, then yes you can just swallow like a pill. If you have the sachets of the powder, you just mix it with some water and drink it or mix it with some food. I'm not sure there's a right way. Go with whatever you prefer and your body tolerates better.

Some folks don't tolerate VSL. For some the intolerance is temporary, passing in a week or two. You could try reducing the dose, or just switching to a different probiotic. I take a maximum dose (4 DS sachets daily). I mix it in Greek yogurt, and it basically disappears. As Kevin says, the capsules just get swallowed with water.

For the third time I tried to take VSL #3 at night and woke up feeling horrible. My stomach is painful and very cramped. At first, I thought I just needed to get used to it but I guess my body is telling me I shouldn't take it. Maybe I'll try another probiotic that isn't so strong, like Align, or just eat more yogurt. Or maybe, like others have suggested, some of us just do not need probiotics. I know my last few visits with Dr. Shen he basically said to take them if I want to, but he was not really advocating for them. It seems like his opinion on them has changed.