Clostridium difficile – Part 5
Many experienced physicians believe that the incidence of C diff colitis developing secondary to the use of antibiotics or severe physiological stress can be greatly reduced by using a cheap and readily available regimen of Lactinex (a pharmaceutical grade probiotic), acidophilus (an over-the-counter probiotic), or the daily ingestion of
yogurt. The use of one of these products by patients on antibiotics has been shown to cut the incidence of C diff colitis from 25% to 5% in one study.
Treatment protocols vary but most physicians who use this prophylaxis generally give two Lactinex or acidophilus tablets three times a day at the start of antibiotic treatment and for 14 days after the course of antibiotics has been completed. Lactinex capsules may be opened and a slurry prepared for administration via nasogastric or feeding tube if the patient can not eat. Alternately, three standard-size containers of yogurt can be consumed daily.
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