Lactolus

Lactolus is a genus of Gram-positive facultative anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria. They are a major part of the lactic acid bacteria group, named as such because most of its members convert lactose and other sugars to lactic acid. They are common and usually benign. In humans they are present in the vaginal and the gastrointestinal tract, where they are symbiotic and make up a small portion of the gut flora. Many species are prominent in decaying plant material. The production of lactic acid makes its environment acidic, which inhibits the growth of some harmful bacteria. Several members of the genus have had their genome sequenced.

Restoration of Lactolus flora after anti-infective/chemotherapeutic treatment; atrophic vaginitis due to estrogen deficiency, as co-medication to hormone replacement therapy; vag discharge of unknown origin or mild to moderate cases of bacterial vaginosis & candidiasis.

Lactolus acidophilus is a bacteria that exists naturally in the body, primarily in the intestines and the vagina. Lactolus acidophilus has been used as a probiotic, or "friendly bacteria."

Lactolus acidophilus has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in treating diarrhea in children with rotavirus.

Lactolus acidophilus has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid (in children or adults) in preventing diarrhea caused by antibiotics, travel, chemotherapy, or hospitalization. Lactolus acidophilus is also possibly effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome, bacterial vaginal infection, colic in babies, lung infections in children, skin problems in children who are allergic to milk, and other conditions.

Lactolus acidophilus has also been used to treat lactose intolerance, Crohn's disease, overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines, or vaginal yeast infections caused by antibiotics. However, research has shown that Lactolus acidophilus may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating indigestion, urinary tract infections, intestinal problems in premature babies, high cholesterol, lyme disease, cold sores, acne, cancer, the common cold, and other conditions.

It is not certain whether Lactolus acidophilus is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Lactolus acidophilus should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Lactolus acidophilus is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Lactolus acidophilus may also be used for other purposes not listed in this product guide.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Capsule,

Oral:

Lactolus: L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. delbrueckii, and L. rhamnosus GG 10 billion live cultures [also includes Bifidobacterium lactis, and B. longum]

Culturelle: L. rhamnosus GG 10 billion colony-forming units

Dofus: L. acidophilus and L. bifidus 10:1 ratio [beet root powder base]

Lactolus: L. acidophilus and L. paracasei ≥8 billion colony-forming units [also contains Bifidobacterium and S. thermophilus] [DSC]

Lactolus:

100: L. acidophilus 1 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy, and yeast free; rice derived]

600: L. acidophilus 6 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy, and yeast free; rice derived]

Lacto-Bifidus:

100: L. bifidus 1 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy, and yeast free; rice derived]

600: L. bifidus 6 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy, and yeast free; rice derived]

Lacto-Pectin: L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, and B. longum 20 billion colony-forming units

Lacto-TriBlend:

100: L. acidophilus, L. bifidus, and L. bulgaricus 1 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy and yeast free; rice derived]

600: L. acidophilus, L. bifidus, and L. bulgaricus 6 billion colony-forming units [milk, soy and yeast free; rice derived]

Megadophilus, Lactolus: L. acidophilus 2 billion units [available in dairy based or dairy free formulations]

Prodigen: L. acidophilus 42 billion colony-forming units and Bifidobacterium lactis 39 billion colony-forming units

RisaQuad: L. acidophilus and L. paracasei 8 billion colony-forming units [also includes Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus]

RisaQuad-2: L. acidophilus and L. paracasei 16 billion colony-forming units [gluten free; also includes Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus]

Visbiome: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus112 billion live cells [gluten free; contains lactose, milk protein]

VSL #3: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus 112 billion live cells [gluten free]

Caplet,

Oral:

Risa-Bid: L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus [also contains Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus]

Granules:

Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive: L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis 3.5 billion colony-forming untis with cholecalciferol 400 IU per packet (30s) [contains sucrose]

Lactolus: L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus 100 million live cells per 1 g packet (12s) [contains milk, sodium 5 mg/packet, soy]

Lactolus: L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus 100 million live cells per 1 g packet (12s) [gluten free; contains calcium 5 mg/packet, lactose 380 mg/packet, potassium 20 mg/packet, sodium 5 mg/packet, sucrose 34 mg/packet, whey, evaporated milk, and soy peptone]

Liquid,

Oral:

Culturelle Baby Grow + Thrive: L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis 2.5 billion colony-forming units with cholecalciferol 400 IU per 5 drops (9 mL)

Powder,

Oral:

Lacto-TriBlend: L. acidophilus, L. bifidus, and L. bulgaricus 10 billion colony-forming units per ¼ teaspoon (60 g) [milk, soy, and yeast free; rice derived]

Megadophilus, Lactolus: L. acidophilus 2 billion units per half-teaspoon (49 g, 70 g, 84 g, 126 g) [available in dairy based or dairy free (garbanzo bean) formulations]

MoreDophilus: L. acidophilus 12.4 billion units per teaspoon (30 g, 120 g) [dairy free, yeast free; soy and carrot derived]

Visbiome: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus 450 billion live cells per packet (30s) [gluten free; contains lactose, milk protein; also contains Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus; lemon flavor and unflavored]

VSL #3: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus 450 billion live cells per sachet (10s, 30s) [gluten free; also contains Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus; lemon cream flavor and unflavored]

VSL #3-DS: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus 900 billion live cells per packet (20s,) [gluten free; also contains Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, B. infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus]

Tablet,

Oral:

Lactolus: L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus 1 million colony-forming units [contains lactose, nonfat dried milk, whey]

Lactolus: L. acidophilus 200 million units [dairy free, yeast free; soy based]

Tablet, chewable,

Oral:

Dialyvite Probiotic: L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis 10 billion cells [orange cream flavor]

Lactolus: L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus 1 million live cells [gluten free; contains calcium 5.2 mg/4 tablets, lactose 960 mg/4 tablets, potassium 20 mg/4 tablets, sodium 5.6 mg/4 tablets, and sucrose 500 sucrose/4 tablets; contains whey, evaporated milk, and soy peptone]

Pedia-Lax Probiotic Yums: L. reuteri 100 million organisms [dye free, gluten free, sugar free; contains milk protein; strawberry flavor]

ReZyst IM: L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium 150 mg [3 billion lives cells; berry flavor] [DSC]

Wafer,

Oral:

Generic: L. acidophilus 90 mg and L. bifidus 25 mg (100s) [provides 1 billion organisms/wafer at time of manufacture]

Dosing: Adult

Dietary supplement/medical food:

Oral: Dosing varies by manufacturer; consult product labeling.

Acidophilus products: 2 capsules 2 to 4 times daily or 1 to 2 wafers 2 to 4 times daily

Culturelle Digestive Health capsule and chewable tablet: 1 capsule or chewable tablet once daily; may increase chewable tablet to twice daily to alleviate digestive distress or during travel

Lactolus: 4 tablets 3 to 4 times daily

Lactolus: 1 capsule once daily

Lactolus: 1 packet or 4 tablets 3 to 4 times daily

Visbiome:

Irritable bowel syndrome: 2 to 4 capsules or ½ to 1 packet per day

Pouchitis: 2 to 4 packets/day

Ulcerative colitis (active): 4 to 8 packets/day

Ulcerative colitis (maintenance): 4 to 8 capsules or 1 to 2 packets per day

VSL #3: 1 to 8 packets or 2 to 8 capsules/day

VSL #3-DS: 1 to 4 packets/day

Dosing: Geriatric

Refer to adult dosing.

Dosing: Pediatric

Dietary supplement: Note: Product formulations and labeling for use in pediatric patients may vary among available formulations; consult product labeling.

Culturelle:

Baby Grow and Thrive Drops: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 400 million CFU, Bifidobacterium animalis 100 million CFU, and cholecalciferol 2 mcg/drop: Infants:

Oral: 5 drops once daily.

Baby Grow and Thrive Packets: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 3 billion CFU, Bifidobacterium animalis 500 million CFU, and cholecalciferol 10 mcg/packet: Children ≤2 years:

Oral: 1 packet once daily.

Kids Daily Probiotic Packets: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 5 billion CFU/packet: Children <3 years:

Oral: 1 packet once or twice daily.

Kids Daily Probiotic Chewables: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 5 billion CFU/tablet: Children ≥3 years and Adolescents:

Oral: 1 tablet once or twice daily.

Digestive Health Daily Probiotic Chewable: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 10 billion CFU, inulin 200 mg, and vitamin C 6 mg/tablet: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

Oral: 1 tablet once or twice daily.

Digestive Health Daily Probiotic Capsule: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 10 billion CFU and inulin 200 mg/capsule: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

Oral: 1 capsule once or twice daily.

Digestive Health Extra Strength: Lactolus rhamnosus GG 20 billion CFU and inulin 200 mg/capsule: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

Oral: 1 capsule once daily.

Gerber:

Soothe Probiotic Colic Drops: Lactolus reuteri 20 million CFU/drop: Infants:

Oral: 5 drops once daily.

Soothe Vitamin D and Probiotic Drops: Lactolus reuteri 20 million CFU and cholecalciferol 2 mcg/drop: Infants:

Oral: 5 drops once daily.

Good Start Toddler Digestive and Immune Support Probiotic Packet: Lactolus reuteri 100 million CFU/packet: Children:

Oral: 1 packet once daily.

Good Start Kids Digestive and Immune Support Probiotic Tablet: Lactolus reuteri 100 million CFU/tablet: Children ≥3 years:

Oral: 1 tablet once daily.

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Lactolus?

Congenital galactosemia, glucose and lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency in patients with disabling. Hypersensitivity to this drug or one of its components Gynecological : Hypersensitivity. Estrogen-dependent tumors, endometriosis, vag hemorrhaging of unknown origin, females who are not yet sexually mature

Use Lactolus granules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• The contents of 1 packet of Lactolus granules should be added to cereal, food, or milk 3 or 4 times a day.
• If you miss a dose of Lactolus granules, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor or on the package label.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lactolus granules.

Probiotics contain different types of micro-organisms such as yeast (saccharomyces boulardii) and bacteria (such as Lactolus, bifidobacterium). Micro-organisms (flora) are naturally found in the stomach/intestines/vagina. Some conditions (such as antibiotic use, travel) can change the normal balance of bacteria/yeast. Probiotics are used to improve digestion and restore normal flora.

Probiotics have been used to treat bowel problems (such as diarrhea, irritable bowel), eczema, vaginal yeast infections, lactose intolerance, and urinary tract infections.

Probiotics are available in foods (such as yogurt, milk, juices, soy beverages) and as dietary supplements (capsules, tablets, powders). Different products have different uses. Check the label for information on uses for your particular product.

Some diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use.

The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to use Lactolus

Follow all directions on the product package. Refer to the label directions for your specific product to see if the dose should be swallowed whole, chewed, sprinkled onto food or mixed with liquid. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Some probiotic products may contain live bacteria (such as bifidobacteria). Antibiotics may prevent these products from working well. Take any product containing live bacteria at least 2 to 3 hours before or after taking antibiotics. Follow the directions for your specific product.

If you are taking this product for diarrhea due to antibiotics, do not use it if you have a high fever or for more than 2 days, unless directed by your doctor. You may have a serious problem that requires medical treatment.

If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Lactolus?

Lactolus acidophilus is sensitive to anti-infective agents.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Lactolus?

An increase in stomach gas may occur, but usually goes away with continued treatment. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of infection (such as high fever, chills).

A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.