Antifungals and probiotics
Caution: most of the information collected here originates from manufacturers so please consider your options carefully.
Some comments have come from users of these products, but as we know from our experiences with other medication each of us is different and may react differently to these products too.
| Name | Dosage | Mode of Action | Comments |
| Acidophilus and other “good” intestinal flora | See recommended dosage by manufacturer. | Replaces intestinal flora killed by antibioticsi and/or imbalanced by Cpni, Candida, etc. Helps prevents C. Difficile infection from antibiotics. | Best is a multi-flora formulation. Enteric coated may help better survive stomach acids. Essential when using CAPi’s |
| Calendula oil | Apply locally | Antifungal | Cheap |
| Candex | 2 x 2 daily | Fibre digesting enzymes eat candida cell walls | Not cheap. Does not need refrigeration |
| Caprylic acid | Up to 1500mg daily | Based on Coconut oil antifungal antiviral | Can irritate sensitive GI mucous membranes |
| Curcumin/ Turmeric | 500 to 1500mg daily | Anti-inflammatory antifungal | Cheap |
| Diflucan/ fluconazole | 200mg 2-3 times per week by prescription | Antifungal | Uses p450 liver enzymes for metabolism, so caution if liver is affected. |
| Fungizone | Administrated intravenously by prescription | Antifungal interferes with candida cell walls | For systemic life threatening infectionsi. |
| Grapefruit seed extract | Between meals 125mg x 2 daily | Antifungal Disrupts fungal cell membranes | Reasonably priced |
| Kolorex | 1 cap x2 daily | Herbal antifungal | Not cheap |
| Lamisil/ terbinafine | 250mg daily or as directed prescription only | Antifungal works by interfering with fungal cell walls | Can affect liver function |
| N-acetyl cysteine | 2x600mg | Possible Antifungal action | N-acetyl cysteine may discourage colonization with Candida albicans |
| Nystatin | As prescribed by doctor | Antymycotic, antifungal affecting fungal cell walls | Allow lozenges to dissolve in the mouth. |
| Olive leaf extract | 1-2 caps twice a day | Anti-viral, anti-candidal, antibacterial. | Stimulates NK cell production, so is immunei boosting |
| Oregano oil | As directed 450mg x2 | Antifungal, anticandidal, antiviral | Can be used as preventative or treatment of intestinal candida. Cheap |
| Pangamin Bifi Plus | 4tbl 2-3x daily | bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, saccharomyces cerevisiae | Cheap, available in Czech Republic or internet. |
| Probiotic Defense." Now Foods | 1x3 daily | Probiotic Homeostatic Soil Organisms | Not cheap |
| Saccharomyces boulardii | 150mg taken between meals | Probiotic yeast survives antibiotics | Do not take with Nystatin, Diflucan, sporonox or other antifungals. Not expensive |
| Tanalbit | 30 Mins before meals 2 caps 3x per day | Tannin based antimycotic, attaches to fungal cells preventing colonisation | Not cheap, casein based |
| Threelac | 1 or 2 sachets daily | Probiotic, microencapsulated | Very expensive |
| Undecyclenic acid
| 450 – 750mg daily in 3 doses | Antifungal 6 times more effective than caprylic acid | Can irritate sensitive GI mucous membranes |
Although the terms antifungals and probiotics are often used synonymously their actions are slightly different.
Antifungals work by using the differences between human and fungal cells to kill off the fungal organism without harming our own body cell. However some antifungals can irritate the gut especially if it is particularly sensitive.
Probiotics work by supplying us with the necessary good bacteria or yeasts our GI tracts need for healthy operation.
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common organisms used.
Homeostatic Soil Organisms HSOs are probiotics comprising organisms that destroy fungus. HSOs were originally found in soil and subsequently cultivated.
 Excellent, MichelleThis
Excellent, Michelle
This probably answers unasked questions that brain-fogged people did not even know they had. This is such an important part of the complete regimen since the abxi will kill off many of the "good gut bugs" that are of great importance to all but especially those of us who labor just to keep a semblance of a real life. Fortunately, it is very easy for us to just "pop another pill" of acidophilus a couple of hours AFTER our abxi to ensure a numerous number - or eat yogurt Actually, I just take 1 with my AM supps and another with PM..
Rica EDSSi 6.7 at beginning - now 2
Ignorance is voluntary bad luck. Lauritz S. A true Viking
If you come to a fork in the road, take it. Yogi Berra
Michele, Good work!Â
Michele, Good work! Rica's right...this is a vitally helpful addition to the site. Never heard of some of those things which only demonstrates that the more you know, the more you can imagine how much you still don't know. This will be a good reference for current and future decision-making. Thanks, Joyce~~~MSi caregiver and advocate - Dallas
Michele, this is great --
Michele, this is great -- your career pays off for the rest of us. I've heard education described as "putting the cookies (biscuits?) on the lowest shelf;" this is a good example!
Thank you!
Ron
On Stratton protocol for CFSi starting 01/06 (NE Ohio, USA).