From the FDA Drug Label
DIRECTIONS Place drops under tongue 30 minutes before/after meals. Adults and children 12 years and over: Take 10 drops up to 3 times per day. Consult a physician for use in children under 12 years of age. The recommended dosage for Florastor (Saccharomyces boulardii) is 10 drops up to 3 times per day for adults and children 12 years and over.
- The treatment duration is not specified in the drug label. 1
From the Research
The recommended dosage of Florastor (Saccharomyces boulardii) for adults is typically 250-500 mg taken 1-2 times daily, while children usually take 250 mg once or twice daily, as supported by studies such as 2 which demonstrated the efficacy of S. boulardii in treating Blastocystis hominis infection.
Dosage and Treatment Duration
The treatment duration varies based on the condition being treated. For antibiotic-associated diarrhea prevention, taking Florastor throughout antibiotic treatment and continuing for 2-3 days after completing antibiotics is a common approach. For acute diarrhea, a 5-7 day course is typical. For chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, longer-term use may be appropriate under medical supervision.
Administration and Effectiveness
Florastor can be taken with or without food, and the capsules can be opened and mixed with cool liquid or soft food for those who have difficulty swallowing. The effectiveness of Florastor stems from its ability to help maintain healthy gut flora by competing with harmful microorganisms, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and supporting immune function in the digestive tract. As a probiotic yeast rather than bacteria, Florastor is not affected by antibiotics, making it particularly useful during antibiotic treatment, although its efficacy in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not consistently supported across all studies, such as 3 and 4.
Considerations for Use
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen, especially for children, pregnant women, or those with compromised immune systems. While studies like 5 suggest that S. boulardii can reduce the number of Escherichia coli colonies in stool, the clinical implications of this finding need further clarification. Similarly, the efficacy of S. boulardii in treating specific conditions, as seen in 6 for diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome, may vary, highlighting the need for personalized medical advice.