cohort
    2014

    Herbal Therapy Is Equivalent to Rifaximin for the Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

    Chedid V, Dhalla S, Clarke JO, Roland BC, Dunbar KB, Koh J, Justino E, Tomakin E, Mullin GE

    Published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine

    Methodology

    Retrospective comparative study of berberine-containing herbal antimicrobial protocols versus rifaximin 1200 mg/day for four weeks in patients with breath-test-confirmed SIBO.

    Key Findings

    Normalisation of lactulose breath test occurred in 46% of the herbal therapy group versus 34% of the rifaximin group, with fewer adverse effects in the herbal arm.

    Conclusions

    Berberine-containing herbal antimicrobials are at least as effective as rifaximin for SIBO in this cohort.

    Limitations

    Retrospective, non-randomised, single-centre; multi-herb formulas prevent attribution to berberine alone.

    Supplements Studied

    Berberine
    Compound

    Response rate for the herbal therapy group was 46% compared with 34% for the rifaximin group in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

    Outcomes Measured

    Response rate for the herbal therapy group was 46% compared with 34% for the rifaximin group in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

    Herbal antimicrobials achieved breath-test normalisation in 46% of patients compared with 34% for rifaximin

    Related Health Concerns

    Study Details

    Year:2014
    Sample Size:104
    Duration:4 weeks
    Quality Score:5/10

    Disclosures

    Funding

    Institutional (Johns Hopkins) support

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