Probiotics
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Probiotics may be effective in the prophylaxis of antibiotic associated diarrhea.(1,2, 3) When given with antibiotics, the incidence of diarrhea can be reduced by 60-65%.(1) Probiotics can be given as treatment for antibiotic associated diarrhea; however, the effectiveness of probiotic treatment has not been elucidated but the safety profile of probiotics puts patients at little risk.(1, 2) Other, more effective therapy should be used for the treatment of diarrhea before probiotics.
The probiotic B infantis may have beneficial effects on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as abdominal discomfort, bloating and bowel movements; however, no studies have directly associated its use with effects on diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.(1, 2)
Probiotics may be useful in treating diarrhea associated with radiation, chemotherapy, as well as in HIV patients and tube-fed patients.(1, 2) The evidence supporting their use in these situations is limited and more studies need to be completed before probiotics are routinely used in these cases.(1, 2)
References
1. Scott GN. Probiotics: an update. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter. July 2012. 2009;25(9):250908.
2. De Vrese M, Marteau PR. Probiotics and prebiotics: effects on diarrhea. J Nutr. 2007;137: 803S-811S.
3. Ciorba MA. Perspectives in clinical gastroenterology and hepatology. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2012;10:960-968.
Probiotics may be effective in the prophylaxis of antibiotic associated diarrhea.(1,2, 3) When given with antibiotics, the incidence of diarrhea can be reduced by 60-65%.(1) Probiotics can be given as treatment for antibiotic associated diarrhea; however, the effectiveness of probiotic treatment has not been elucidated but the safety profile of probiotics puts patients at little risk.(1, 2) Other, more effective therapy should be used for the treatment of diarrhea before probiotics.
The probiotic B infantis may have beneficial effects on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as abdominal discomfort, bloating and bowel movements; however, no studies have directly associated its use with effects on diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.(1, 2)
Probiotics may be useful in treating diarrhea associated with radiation, chemotherapy, as well as in HIV patients and tube-fed patients.(1, 2) The evidence supporting their use in these situations is limited and more studies need to be completed before probiotics are routinely used in these cases.(1, 2)
References
1. Scott GN. Probiotics: an update. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter. July 2012. 2009;25(9):250908.
2. De Vrese M, Marteau PR. Probiotics and prebiotics: effects on diarrhea. J Nutr. 2007;137: 803S-811S.
3. Ciorba MA. Perspectives in clinical gastroenterology and hepatology. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2012;10:960-968.