Description
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, which is a type of fungus. Saccharomyces boulardii was previously identified as a unique species of yeast, but is now believed to be a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast). Saccharomyces boulardii is used as medicine.
Saccharomyces boulardii is used for treating and preventing diarrhea, including infectious types such as rotaviral diarrhea in children, diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal (GI) take-over (overgrowth) by “bad” bacteria in adults, traveler’s diarrhea, and diarrhea associated with tube feedings. It is also used to prevent and treat diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics.
Saccharomyces boulardii is also used for general digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), Lyme disease, a bowel disorder called relapsing Clostridium difficile colitis, and bacterial overgrowth in short bowel syndrome.
SES & EFFECTIVENESS
Likely Effective for…
- Diarrhea associated with antibiotics. Most research shows that taking Saccharomyces boulardii can prevent diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics.
- Diarrhea. Most research shows that Saccharomyces boulardii can prevent diarrhea in people with feeding tubes. It also appears to help treat diarrhea in infants and children.
Possibly Effective for…
- Acne. Some research suggests that taking a type of Saccharomyces boulardii (Perenterol, Cell Tech Phama) by mouth can improve the appearance of acne.
- Diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile. Taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth along with the antibiotics vancomycin or metronidazole prevents the recurrence of diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile. However, it might not help treat first episodes of diarrhea caused by this type of bacteria.
- Helicobacter pylori. Some evidence suggests that taking Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the side effects of treatment for ulcers caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
- Diarrhea related to HIV. Taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth appears to reduce diarrhea related to HIV.
- Traveler’s diarrhea. Taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth appears to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
SIDE EFFECTS
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).
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