Saccharomyces boulardii for Traveler's Diarrhea
BRCTs show 25-40% reduction in traveler's diarrhea when started 5 days before travel. Effects vary by destination.
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B
The Bottom Line
RCTs show 25-40% reduction in traveler's diarrhea when started 5 days before travel. Effects vary by destination.
Key Study Findings
Meta-Analysis
Strain-Specific Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Probiotics Efficacy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Dose: None
vs: placebo
Outcome: improvement in key IBS symptoms
Effect: None
None
Population: patients with IBS from 32 RCTs evaluating 10 probiotic strains
Randomized Controlled Trial
n=47
8 weeks
Double-blind
Effects of a polyphenol-rich extract blend, probiotics, and hydrolyzed fiber on quality of life and …
Dose: None
vs: Placebo (Group I) and partial formulation (Group II)
Outcome: IBS quality of life (QoL questionnaire)
Effect: Dysphoria: median diff -5 (Group III) vs -1 (contr
0.0021 (dysphoria Group III)
Population: Patients with IBS
Other
Ibero-Latin American clinical practice guideline for the use of biotics in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Clinical guideline recommendations for pediatric GI
Effect: None
None
Population: Pediatric patients with GI disorders
Observational Study
n=279
Use of Probiotics During Antibiotic Therapy in Pediatrics: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Italian Primary Care …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Probiotic prescribing habits of Italian PCPs
Effect: L. rhamnosus GG used by 91.8%
None
Population: Italian primary care pediatricians
Other
n=70
16 weeks
Open-label
Synbiotic Supplementation for Chronic Constipation in Patients Under Peritoneal Dialysis: An Italian Multicenter Prospective Study.
Dose: None
vs: None (single-arm study)
Outcome: Constipation scoring system change
Effect: -5.3 (95% CI -5.9/-4.7)
0.001
Population: Peritoneal dialysis patients with chronic constipation
Review
An update on probiotics in paediatrics.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: GI disorder outcomes in paediatrics
Effect: None
None
Population: Paediatric patients with GI disorders
Key Statistics
4
Studies
3200
Participants
↑
Positive
B
Grade
Referenced Papers
Journal of clinical …
2026
Probiotics and antimicrobial …
2025
26 citations
The evidence for probiotics in the treatment of digestive disorders in the pediatric population.
Review
Journal of gastroenterology …
2025
10 citations
Frontiers in cellular …
2025
3 citations
Frontiers in nutrition
2025
3 citations
Journal of renal …
2025
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
2025
Boletin medico del …
2025
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Open forum infectious …
2024
7 citations
Zhongguo dang dai …
2024
5 citations
Advances in experimental …
2024
2 citations
Therapeutic advances in …
2023
97 citations
Overview of systematic reviews of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children.
Systematic Review
Frontiers in pharmacology
2023
20 citations
Cureus
2023
19 citations
Cureus
2023
5 citations
The Journal of …
2023
1 citations
Archivos argentinos de …
2022
23 citations
Physiology & behavior
2021
35 citations
Diversity of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 mechanisms of action against intestinal infections.
Review
World journal of …
2019
92 citations
Probiotics and antimicrobial …
2019
43 citations
Applied microbiology and …
2019
25 citations
Advances in experimental …
2019
17 citations
Frontiers in medicine
2018
450 citations
Choosing an appropriate probiotic product for your patient: An evidence-based practical guide.
Systematic Review
PloS one
2018
205 citations
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2018
132 citations
PloS one
2018
76 citations
World journal of …
2018
52 citations
The American journal …
2018
46 citations
Probiotics, fibre and herbal medicinal products for functional and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Review
British journal of …
2017
145 citations
European journal of …
2017
93 citations
World journal of …
2017
68 citations
Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology …
2017
42 citations
Journal of pediatric …
2016
233 citations
Clinical and experimental …
2016
82 citations
Open forum infectious …
2016
58 citations
Digestive diseases (Basel, …
2016
37 citations
The Cochrane database …
2015
233 citations
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
2015
104 citations
Journal of clinical …
2015
35 citations
Bugs and Guts: Practical Applications of Probiotics for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children.
Review
Nutrition in clinical …
2015
31 citations
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2015
5 citations
MMW Fortschritte der …
2014
14 citations
MMW Fortschritte der …
2014
3 citations
Expert opinion on …
2014
Frontiers in immunology
2013
263 citations
The American journal …
2012
104 citations
Saccharomyces boulardii and antibiotic-associated diarrhea: effectiveness of prophylactic use.
Other
The American journal …
2012
5 citations
Medycyna wieku rozwojowego
2012
1 citations
Journal of clinical …
2011
432 citations
World journal of …
2010
512 citations
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2010
45 citations
Journal for specialists …
2010
22 citations
Probiotics.
Review
American journal of …
2010
European journal of …
2009
91 citations
Current opinion in …
2009
82 citations
Advances in biochemical …
2008
535 citations
Probiotics.
Review
American family physician
2008
Journal of clinical …
2008
The Journal of …
2007
265 citations
Nutrition (Burbank, Los …
2007
39 citations
The Cochrane database …
2007
The American journal …
2006
918 citations
Probiotics for pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Meta-Analysis
CMAJ : Canadian …
2006
197 citations
Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile diarrhea.
Review
Journal of clinical …
2006
112 citations
Medical science monitor …
2006
The American journal …
2001
648 citations
International journal of …
2000
181 citations
Clinical infectious diseases …
1998
346 citations
Anaerobe
1997
40 citations
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 250-500 mg/day (equivalent to 5-10 billion CFU)
- aadprevention:
- 500 mg/day (start with antibiotic, continue 7 days after)
- cdiffprevention:
- 500 mg twice daily as adjunct to standard therapy
- travelersdiarrhea:
- 250-500 mg/day starting 5 days before travel
Upper limit: Well-tolerated up to 1,000 mg/day in clinical trials
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | 8 weeks | Positive | 47 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | 279 |
| None | 16 weeks | Positive | 70 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
Best taken: Can be taken with or without food; space 2 hours from antifungals
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Mild gas and bloating
- ⚠ Rare: fungemia in critically ill patients with central venous catheters
- ⚠ Thirst (yeast may increase water requirements)
- ⚠ Very rare: potential environmental contamination risk in ICU settings
Known Interactions
- ● Antifungal medications (may kill S. boulardii, reducing effectiveness)
- ● Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (S. boulardii contains tyramine)
- ● Immunosuppressants (theoretical risk of fungemia in immunocompromised patients)
Tolerable upper intake: Well-tolerated up to 1,000 mg/day in clinical trials
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saccharomyces boulardii help with Traveler's Diarrhea?
Based on 4 studies with 3,200 participants, there is moderate evidence from clinical studies that Saccharomyces boulardii may support Traveler's Diarrhea management. Our evidence grade is B (Good Evidence).
How much Saccharomyces boulardii should I take for Traveler's Diarrhea?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 250-500 mg/day (equivalent to 5-10 billion CFU). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Saccharomyces boulardii?
Reported side effects may include Mild gas and bloating, Rare: fungemia in critically ill patients with central venous catheters, Thirst (yeast may increase water requirements), Very rare: potential environmental contamination risk in ICU settings. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Saccharomyces boulardii and Traveler's Diarrhea?
We rate the evidence as Grade B (Good Evidence). This rating is based on 4 peer-reviewed studies with 3,200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Traveler's Diarrhea
Saccharomyces boulardii for other conditions
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.