Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Saccharomyces boulardii Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Minor
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

Saccharomyces boulardii is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for acute diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea.Based on those ingredients, 40 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Saccharomyces boulardii. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains 2 active ingredients. Saccharomyces boulardii is a beneficial live yeast strain used to support digestive health.

Manno-oligosaccharides is also present; we don't hold interaction data for it. The capsule itself is made from hypromellose and contains inactive ingredients like gellan gum, microcrystalline cellulose, and silica to hold everything together.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Saccharomyces Boulardii's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Saccharomyces Boulardii for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Helicobacter pylori — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Rotaviral diarrhea — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Travelers' diarrhea — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Saccharomyces boulardii is rated possibly effective for several digestive issues: rotaviral diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and infection with Helicobacter pylori. It's also rated possibly effective for two more serious conditions—necrotizing enterocolitis and Clostridioides difficile infection—though those are medical diagnoses that need professional oversight.

The evidence base exists, but it's not conclusive for any of these.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Saccharomyces Boulardii

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Saccharomyces boulardii is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. However, the safety data advises against use if you're critically ill or have a weakened immune system.

Rarely, people have reported gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal cramps, gas, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite. Very rarely, the live yeast has caused bloodstream infections in critically ill hospitalized patients, particularly those with central catheters, feeding tubes, or on broad-spectrum antibiotics.

We don't have enough safety information on this ingredient in pregnancy and lactation—talk with your doctor before use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Saccharomyces Boulardii

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Saccharomyces Boulardii.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 40 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you're taking an antifungal medication—such as fluconazole, terbinafine, or any other drug in that class—mention it before you start. The antifungal may reduce how well this probiotic works.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This probiotic may help with several types of diarrhea if the evidence is strong enough for your situation. Skip it if you're critically ill, immunocompromised, or taking an antifungal medication.

Talk to your pharmacist about timing and whether it's right for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Saccharomyces boulardii, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614190129
Net contents 30 Veggie DRcap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 308739
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
087614190129
IngredientAmount% DV
Saccharomyces boulardii250 mg--
Manno-oligosaccharides100 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Gellan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice extract Blend, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie DRcaps capsule with water between meals. May take up to three capsules per day.

Formulation

V Vegetarian

Digestive Health

Brand IP Statement(s)

DRcaps & logo are trademarks of Lonza or its affiliates.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formula

Saccharomyces boulardii 5 Billion CFU per capsule With prebiotic MOS

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Saccharomyces boulardii

Interacts with
40 drugs
250 mg per serving

Saccharomyces boulardii is a beneficial yeast used as a probiotic, with the strongest evidence for preventing and treating certain types of diarrhea,...

Saccharomyces boulardii monograph & interactions

Manno-oligosaccharides

100 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Gellan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice extract Blend, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Saccharomyces boulardii?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
40Drugs
40 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Saccharomyces boulardii with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Saccharomyces boulardii1 drug type · 40 drugs

Antifungals

Theoretically, taking antifungals with Saccharomyces boulardii might decrease the effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii.
S. boulardii is a live yeast. Therefore, simultaneously taking antifungals might kill a significant number of the organisms.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Saccharomyces boulardii, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Saccharomyces boulardii by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Saccharomyces boulardii has a known interaction with 40 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Saccharomyces boulardii contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe if I have a weak immune system?
No. The safety data advises against this product if you're immunocompromised or critically ill. There's a very small but documented risk of the yeast entering your bloodstream, especially in hospitalized patients with catheters or feeding tubes. Talk to your doctor if you're considering it.
Can I take this with an antifungal?
Not at the same time. Antifungals kill fungi, and since this is a live yeast, the medication could wipe out the probiotic and make it ineffective. Your pharmacist can help you space them apart.
What are the side effects?
Most people have none. Rarely, some experience gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Very rarely, the yeast itself can cause a bloodstream infection, mainly in hospitalized patients with serious illness.
Does it work for traveler's diarrhea?
Possibly. The evidence says it's possibly effective for traveler's diarrhea, antibiotic-related diarrhea, and a few other types of diarrhea. Your results may vary, and it's worth discussing with your doctor if you're planning a trip.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
We don't have enough safety data to say either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or breastfeeding—they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
Why should I avoid opening the capsule?
The safety data notes that bloodstream infections from this yeast have occurred when people opened the capsules. It's safest to take it whole, as directed, to keep the live organisms in your digestive tract where they belong.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Saccharomyces boulardii is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Saccharomyces boulardii label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Saccharomyces boulardii's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 26 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Saccharomyces Boulardii 26 references
  1. Niault M, Thomas F, Prost J, et al. Fungemia due to Saccharomyces species in a patient treated with enteral Saccharomyces boulardii. Clin Infect Dis 1999;28:930.
  2. Pletinex M, Legein J, Vandenplas Y. Fungemia with Saccharomyces boulardii in a 1-year-old girl with protracted diarrhea. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1995;21:113-5. DOI
  3. Fredenucci I, Chomarat M, Boucaud C, et al. Saccharomyces boulardii fungemia in a patient receiving ultra-levure therapy. Clin Infect Dis 1998;27:222-3.
  4. Elmer GW, McFarland LV, Surawicz CM, et al. Behaviour of Saccharomyces boulardii in recurrent Clostridium difficile disease patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1999;13:1663-8.
  5. Lewis SJ, Freedman AR. Review article: the use of biotherapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1998;12:807-22. PubMed
  6. Cesaro S, Chinello P, Rossi L, Zanesco L. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia in a neutropenic patient treated with Saccharomyces boulardii. Support Care Cancer 2000;8:504-5. PubMed
  7. Hennequin C, Thierry A, Richard GF, et al. Microsatellite typing as a new tool for identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. J Clin Microbiol 2001;39:551-9.
  8. Plein K, Hotz J. Therapeutic effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on mild residual symptoms in a stable phase of Crohn's disease with special respect to chronic diarrhea - a pilot study. Z Gastroenterol 1993;31:129-34.
  9. Borriello SP, Hammes WP, Holzapfel W, et al. Safety of probiotics that contain lactobacilli or bifidobacteria. Clin Infect Dis 2003;36:775-80. PubMed
  10. Marteau P, Seksik P. Tolerance of probiotics and prebiotics. J Clin Gastroenterol 2004;38:S67-9. PubMed
  11. Munoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, et al. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease. Clin Infect Dis 2005;40:1625-34. PubMed
  12. Lherm, T., Monet, C., Nougiere, B., Soulier, M., Larbi, D., Le Gall, C., Caen, D., and Malbrunot, C. Seven cases of fungemia with Saccharomyces boulardii in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Med 2002;28(6):797-801. PubMed
  13. Riquelme, A. J., Calvo, M. A., Guzman, A. M., Depix, M. S., Garcia, P., Perez, C., Arrese, M., and Labarca, J. A. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia after Saccharomyces boulardii treatment in immunocompromised patients. J Clin.Gastroenterol. 2003;36(1):41- PubMed
  14. Cherifi, S., Robberecht, J., and Miendje, Y. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia in an elderly patient with Clostridium difficile colitis. Acta Clin Belg. 2004;59(4):223-224. PubMed
  15. Ellouze O, Berthoud V, Mervant M, Parthiot JP, Girard C. Septic shock due to Sacccaromyces boulardii. Med Mal Infect. 2016;46(2):104-105.
  16. Appel-da-Silva MC, Narvaez GA, Perez LRR, Drehmer L, Lewgoy J. Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii fungemia following probiotic treatment. Med Mycol Case Rep. 2017;18:15-7. PubMed
  17. Atici S, Soysal A, Karadeniz Cerit K, et al. Catheter-related Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fungemia Following Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic Treatment: In a child in intensive care unit and review of the literature. Med Mycol Case Rep. 2017;15:33-35. PubMed
  18. Martin IW, Tonner R, Trivedi J, et al. Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic-associated fungemia: questioning the safety of this preventive probiotic's use. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;87(3):286-8. PubMed
  19. Romanio MR, Coraine LA, Maielo VP, Abramczyc ML, Souza RL, Oliveira NF. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia in a pediatric patient after treatment with probiotics. Rev Paul Pediatr 2017;35(3):361-4.
  20. Roy U, Jessani LG, Rudramurthy SM, et al. Seven cases of Saccharomyces fungaemia related to use of probiotics. Mycoses 2017;60(6):375-380.
  21. Romanio MR, Coraine LA, Maielo VP, Abramczyc ML, Souza RL, Oliveira NF. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia in a pediatric patient after treatment with probiotics. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2017 Jul-Sep;35(3):361-364. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;3;00014.
  22. Flatley EA, Wilde AM, Nailor MD. Saccharomyces boulardii for the prevention of hospital onset Clostridium difficile infection. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2015;24(1):21-4. PubMed
  23. Ventoulis I, Sarmourli T, Amoiridou P, et al. Bloodstream infection by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in two COVID-19 patients after receiving supplementation of Saccharomyces in the ICU. J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(3):98. PubMed
  24. Wombwell E, Bransteitter B, Gillen LR. Incidence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia in hospitalised patients administered Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic. Mycoses 2021;64(12):1521-1526.
  25. Rannikko J, Holmberg V, Karppelin M, et al. Fungemia and Other Fungal Infections Associated with Use of Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic Supplements. Emerg Infect Dis 2021;27(8):2090-6.
  26. Awoyemi A, Mayerhofer C, Felix AS, et al. Rifaximin or Saccharomyces boulardii in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Results from the randomized GutHeart trial. EBioMedicine 2021;70:103511. PubMed

See these in context on the Saccharomyces Boulardii monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring