Drug interactions
Ketoconazole + Saccharomyces boulardii
Severity: Moderate
Ketoconazole and Saccharomyces boulardii: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Saccharomyces boulardii is a live yeast, so systemic or oral antifungals such as ketoconazole may kill it and reduce its probiotic benefit. The effect is a loss of efficacy rather than toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketoconazole and Saccharomyces boulardii can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Direct antifungal activity against the probiotic yeast.
What to do
Avoid giving the probiotic during oral antifungal therapy, or defer it until the antifungal course is complete.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Ketoconazole
- Alfuzosin + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketoconazole with Saccharomyces boulardii?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketoconazole and Saccharomyces boulardii can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Saccharomyces boulardii is a live yeast, so systemic or oral antifungals such as ketoconazole may kill it and reduce its probiotic benefit. The effect is a loss of efficacy rather than toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Ketoconazole and Saccharomyces boulardii?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid giving the probiotic during oral antifungal therapy, or defer it until the antifungal course is complete.
What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.
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