Saccharomyces boulardii
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Based on available evidence, most references suggest probiotics such as S. boulardii be avoided as prophylactic treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. S. boulardii currently has only been studied once for prophylaxis of traveler’s diarrhea in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. (1)The trial identified that certain travel destinations showed no reductions in incidence (such as India, Mexico, Nepal and Antilles), while other destinations such as North and West Africa saw statistically significant reductions in incidence of traveler’s diarrhea. In terms of side effects from treatment, the trial reported that no participants complained of side effects and 9 participants saw an improvement in acneiform skin lesions. Based on this study UpToDate suggests that S. boulardii may be beneficial in patients traveling to Africa or Turkey. However, both the CDC and UpToDate recommend that further research is required. Furthermore, standardized preparations are required and need to be studied. However, since probiotics are relatively safe with little reported side effects, if a patient prefers to take probiotics they may do so but other options are preferred and as a result Saccharomyces is a third line option.
References:
1. Kollaritsch, HH, Kremsner P, Wiedermann, G, Scheiner, O. Prevention of traveller’s diarrhea: comparison of different non-antibiotic preparations. Travel Med Internatl. 1989; 7:9-18.
Based on available evidence, most references suggest probiotics such as S. boulardii be avoided as prophylactic treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. S. boulardii currently has only been studied once for prophylaxis of traveler’s diarrhea in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. (1)The trial identified that certain travel destinations showed no reductions in incidence (such as India, Mexico, Nepal and Antilles), while other destinations such as North and West Africa saw statistically significant reductions in incidence of traveler’s diarrhea. In terms of side effects from treatment, the trial reported that no participants complained of side effects and 9 participants saw an improvement in acneiform skin lesions. Based on this study UpToDate suggests that S. boulardii may be beneficial in patients traveling to Africa or Turkey. However, both the CDC and UpToDate recommend that further research is required. Furthermore, standardized preparations are required and need to be studied. However, since probiotics are relatively safe with little reported side effects, if a patient prefers to take probiotics they may do so but other options are preferred and as a result Saccharomyces is a third line option.
References:
1. Kollaritsch, HH, Kremsner P, Wiedermann, G, Scheiner, O. Prevention of traveller’s diarrhea: comparison of different non-antibiotic preparations. Travel Med Internatl. 1989; 7:9-18.