There are no absolute contraindications to this therapy. Occasional side effects are flatulence and mild abdominal discomfort. Septicemia has been rarely reported, always in an immunocompromised host (which is a relative contraindication to probiotics), and no serious complications have been reported in any clinical trials. There are no known adverse interactions with any medications. Costs range from $8 to $22 per month. (Am Fam Physician 2008;78[9]:1073.)
Probiotics should be considered to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and, in addition to rehydration therapy, to treat infectious diarrhea.
Variable dosages and several preparations have been found to be effective. Guidance can be found at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s web site. One good option is Lactobacillus GG (Culturelle, 10 billion colony forming units/capsule) one capsule orally daily for children, two for adults.