The purpose of this study is to evaluate if ingestion of a probiotic formula (Jarrow-Dophilus EPS)reduces incidence of diarrhea and improves the quality of life of patients receiving antibiotic therapy.
A common complication of antibiotic use is antibiotic-induced diarrhea (AAD). AAD is the result of disrupted microflora, occurring two to eight weeks after antibiotic use. Probiotic supplementation may rebalance the intestinal flora, thus reducing the incidence of diarrhea, improving quality of life and reducing symptoms associated with antibiotic administration. The proposed study will be a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial that will assess the efficacy of the Jarro-Dophilus EPS probiotics formula for the prevention of AAD. In addition,a subgroup of participants will be requested to provide one fecal sample at the initiation of the study and one sample in the last three days of probiotic (or placebo) treatment. The samples will undergo microbial analysis for routine C \& S(Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Ecoli 0157, Yersinia), VRE, Yeast, Fungus culture (moulds) and C. difficile toxin.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
204
Jarro-Dophilus EPS product 2 capsules twice daily. 4.4 billion live bacteria per capsule.
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Incidence of patients experiencing diarrhea
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course plus 3 weeks
Duration of diarrhea
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course plus 3 weeks
Quality of life.
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course plus 3 weeks
Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale score.
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course plus 3 weeks
Incidence of adverse effects.
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course plus 3 weeks
Presence of pathogens in fecal samples.
Time frame: Duration of antibiotic course
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