PROBIOTICS IN DIARRHEA

Probiotics, such as acidophilus, are medications containing friendly bacteria that are harmless when taken orally and may be helpful in treating certain disorders.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Between 20% and 40% of children receiving antibiotics suffer from diarrhea during and/or after the course of treatment. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not only a problem with oral antibiotics, but is also seen after injected antibiotics. In infants yeast infections of the diaper area frequently follow adding to the problem for which the antibiotic is given in the first place.

The administration of a probiotic like Lactobacillus [acidophilus being an example] has been shown to reduce the frequency of antibiotic-associated diarrhea from 20-40% to 8%.

Viral gastroenteritis

Although the mechanism is unclear, probiotics have also been shown to shorten the course of diarrhea caused by viruses such as Rotavirus.

The most commonly prescribed probiotic is Lactobacillus. One brand of Lactobacillus is Lactinex. This product comes as small tablets and as granules and can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Acidophilus is a favorite product that contains Lactobacillus - A wide variety of brands and types are available from health food and other stores in the Bitterroot Valley. Rainbow End, for example, carries 3 flavors of chewable wafers [banana, strawberry and blueberry], 2 soy-based liquid preparations, 1 milk-based liquid preparation and an array of granules, powders and capsules. All seem suited for use as a probiotic. For infants and children the liquid and chewable liquid wafers are the most attractive.

Some Acidophilus products available at Rainbow End:

• Wafers 1 x 10⁸ or 1 billion bacilli/wafer.
• Liquid* 4-7 billion bacilli/30 ml or 1 billion bacilli/6 ml [a little over a teaspoon]

* Some formulations contain honey. Read labels carefully. Avoid acidophilus with honey in infants less than 1 year of age. Honey has been reported to cause serious and even fatal disease in infants.

We recommend, and often provide, acidophilus wafers for children placed on antibiotics. For infants up to 1 yr we suggest ½ wafer 2 times a day for the duration of antibiotic treatment. The wafer can be pulverized and put in a spoonful of yogurt for example. For older children we recommend 1 wafer twice daily for the duration of antibiotic treatment.

We also prescribe acidophilus for some children with virus-induced diarrhea.

Nov. 2001

©2002 South Valley Pediatrics
page updated April 7, 2002