[Effect of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii on prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in adult outpatients with amoxicillin treatment]

Author(s): Bravo MV, Bunout D, Leiva L, de la Maza MP, Barrera G, de la Maza J, Hirsch S

Affiliation(s): Instituto de Nutricion y Tecnologia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. vbravol@vtr.net

Publication date & source: 2008-08, Rev Med Chil., 136(8):981-8. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

Publication type: English Abstract

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is one of the most common adverse effects of antimicrobials. Any antimicrobial can potentially produce diarrhea but beta-lactamics have a higher risk. Among these, amoxicillin is widely indicated in ambulatory practice. One of the alternatives suggested to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, is the use of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii. AIM: To evaluate whether the concomitant use of Saccharomyces boulardii and amoxicillin can prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea in ambulatory adults with acute infections diseases, without provoking other adverse effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty six adults (aged 15 to 81 years) with acute infectious diseases, excluding those arising in the gastrointestinal tract, that received a prescription of oral amoxicillin for 5 to 10 days, were included. In a controlled randomized, double blind trial, 41 patients were assigned to receive lyophilized Saccharomyces boulardii (500 mg/day) during 12 days, and 45 patients were assigned to placebo for the same period. RESULTS: Ten percent of patients (9/86) reported acute diarrhea, 9,8% (4/41) in the experimental group and 11.196 (5/45) in the control group (p = 100). No adverse effects were associated to the use of the probiotic. CONCLUSIONS: Saccharomyces boulardii (500 mg/day) did not prevent diarrhea related to amoxicillin.