Antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs in up to 30% of patients who receive antibiotics, but it can be prevented with probiotics, according to research. Jacek Mrukowicz, Dr Med, and Hania Szajewska, Dr Med, systematically evaluated the effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children and adults. For the study, reported in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (September 2005), electronic databases and references in review articles were searched for studies relevant to antibiotic-associated diarrhea and S boulardii.

Of 16 potentially relevant clinical trials identified, 5 randomized, placebo-controlled trials—with a total of 1076 participants—met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Results of the metaanalysis revealed that treatment with S boulardii, compared with placebo, reduced the risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea from 17.2% to 6.7% (relative risk, 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.78; random effect model). The number needed to treat to prevent one case of antibiotic- associated diarrhea was 10 (95% CI, 7-16). No adverse effects were reported. This analysis suggested that S boulardii is moderately effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children and adults treated with antibiotics for any reason (mainly respiratory tract infections).