Saccharomyces Boulardii

Saccharomyces Boulardii
Saccharomyces Boulardii

Uses

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. The effectiveness ratings for SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII are as follows:

Likely effective for…

  • Diarrhea. Research shows that giving Saccharomyces boulardii to children with diarrhea can reduce how long it lasts by up to 1 day. But it seems to be less effective than conventional medicines for diarrhea, such as loperamide (Imodium).
  • Diarrhea caused by rotavirus. Giving Saccharomyces boulardii to infants and children with diarrhea caused by rotavirus can reduce how long diarrhea lasts by about 1 day.

Possibly effective for…

  • Acne. Research shows that taking it by mouth helps improve the appearance of acne.
  • Infection of the gastrointestinal tract by bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Taking Saccharomyces boulardii along with antibiotics seems to help prevent Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea from recurring in people with a history of recurrence. Taking it along with antibiotics also seems to help prevent first episodes of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. But experts don’t recommend using it for preventing first episodes.
  • A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth along with standard H. pylori treatment helps treat this infection. About 12 people need to be treated additionally for one patient who would otherwise remain infected to be cured. Taking it also helps prevent side effects such as diarrhea and nausea that occur with standard H. pylori treatment. This might help people finish their standard treatment for H. pylori.
  • Travelers’ diarrhea. Taking it by mouth appears to prevent travelers’ diarrhea.

Possibly ineffective for…

  • Damage to the intestinal tract in preterm infants (Necrotizing enterocolitis; NEC) . Research shows that giving it to preterm infants does not prevent NEC or death from any cause.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…

  • An infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea (cholera). It does not seem to improve cholera symptoms, even when given with standard treatments.
  • A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease). Taking Saccharomyces boulardii seems to reduce the number of bowel movements in people with Crohn disease. Early research also shows that taking it along with mesalamine can help people with Crohn disease stay in remission longer. But taking Saccharomyces boulardii alone does not seem to help people with Crohn disease stay in remission longer.
  • Cystic fibrosis. Early research shows that taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth does not reduce yeast infections in the digestive tract of people with cystic fibrosis.
  • Heart failure. Early research shows that taking it might improve heart function in people with heart failure.
  • High cholesterol. Early research shows that Saccharomyces boulardii does not seem to affect cholesterol levels.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Research shows that taking Saccharomyces boulardii improves quality of life in people with diarrhea-predominant or mixed-type IBS. But it doesn’t seem to improve most IBS symptoms such as stomach pain, urgency, or bloating.
  • Infection of the intestines by parasites. Early research shows that taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth along with antibiotics reduces diarrhea and stomach pain in people with amoeba infections.
  • Yellowing of the skin in infants (neonatal jaundice). Some infants develop jaundice after birth due to high bilirubin levels. Giving Saccharomyces boulardii to term infants might prevent jaundice and reduce the need for phototherapy in a small number of these infants. But it’s not known if Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the risk of jaundice in at-risk infants. Giving Saccharomyces boulardii to infants along with phototherapy doesn’t lower bilirubin levels better than phototherapy alone.
  • Infants born weighing less than 2500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces). Giving a Saccharomyces boulardii supplement after birth seems to improve weight gain and feeding in preterm infants with low birth weight.
  • Excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestines. Early research shows that adding Saccharomyces boulardii to treatment with antibiotics reduces bacteria growth in the intestines better than antibiotics alone.
  • A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Early research shows that adding Saccharomyces boulardii to standard mesalamine therapy can reduce symptoms in people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
  • Canker sores.
  • Fever blisters.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Hives.
  • Lactose intolerance.
  • Lyme disease.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Yeast infections.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate Saccharomyces boulardii for these uses.

Side Effects Of Saccharomyces Boulardii

When taken by mouth: Saccharomyces boulardii is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for up to 15 months. It can cause gas in some people. Rarely, it might cause fungal infections that can spread through the bloodstream to the entire body (fungemia).

Dosage Of Saccharomyces Boulardii

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
  • For diarrhea in people taking antibiotics (antibiotic-associated diarrhea): 250-500 mg taken 2-4 times daily for up to 2 weeks is most commonly used. In most cases, daily doses do not exceed 1000 mg daily.
  • For infection of the gastrointestinal tract by bacteria called Clostridium difficile: For preventing recurrence, 500 mg twice daily for 4 weeks along with antibiotic treatment has been used.
  • For a digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori): 500-1000 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii daily for 1-4 weeks is most commonly used.
  • For diarrhea in people with HIV/AIDS: 3 grams daily.
  • For travelers’ diarrhea: 250-1000 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii daily for one month.
CHILDREN
BY MOUTH:
  • For diarrhea in people taking antibiotics (antibiotic-associated diarrhea): 250 mg once or twice daily for the duration of antibiotics has been used.
  • For diarrhea: For treating acute diarrhea, 250 mg once or twice daily for 5 days has been used. For treating persistent diarrhea, 1750 billion to 175 trillion colony-forming units of Saccharomyces boulardii twice daily for 5 days has been used. For preventing diarrhea in people receiving tube feedings, 500 mg four times daily has been used.
  • For diarrhea caused by rotavirus: 200-250mg twice daily for 5 days has been used.

Other

Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Source

All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.