Lactinex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lactinex is used to replace good bacteria in your intestines and colon. The main ingredient (a bacterium) is Lactobacillus. It is used to treat diarrhea resulting from infection or when an antibiotic regimen destroys the good bacteria in the digestive tract.
[edit] Considerations
Lactinex contains milk products, so should generally not be used by lactose intolerant people. Anyone should consult a doctor, however, before using this product as manipulating bacteria in the digestive tract can have unintended consequences. For example, antibiotics used to treat Helicobacter pylori have been known to allow the proliferation of the Clostridium Difficile bacteria leading to Clostridium Difficile Colitis, or c.dif -- a condition which, in fact, often is treated with Lactinex along with the usual antibiotics Flagyl or Vancomycin.
[edit] Availability
Lactinex is considered a dietary supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is non-prescription, but as it is a living bacteria, it is often kept in the refrigerator behind the desk of the pharmacy. It is available as tablets or granules. The granules are ingested by sprinkling over food (yogurt, for example, which also has bacteria good for the digestive tract).
