General

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

Pronunciation:
sak-a-roe-mye-seez boo-lar-dee

Trade Name(s)

• Brewer's yeast
• probiotics

Ther. Class.

antidiarrheals

anti irritable bowel syndrome agents

Common Uses

• Treatment and prevention of diarrhea
• Irritable bowel syndrome.

Action

Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast used to colonize the gastrointestinal tract.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

Reduced number of bowel movements.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown

Half-life: Unknown

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity to yeast.

Use Cautiously in:

• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Immunocompromised patients (↑ risk of fungemia)

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

GI: bloating, constipation, flatulence

Misc: ↑ thirst, fungemia

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Natural Drug Interaction

 Antifungals may decrease effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii

Natural-Natural:

None.

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults): 250–500 mg two to four times a day.

Availability

Capsules: 250 mg

Assessment

• Assess patient for abdominal distention, presence of bowel sounds, and usual pattern of bowel function.
• Assess color, consistency, and amount of stool produced.

Lab Test Considerations:

Monitor CBC periodically during therapy.

Implementation

• PO Administer as directed.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take as directed.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Resolution of diarrhea and decrease in number of loose stools.