Treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Jul-Aug;9(4):217-22.

Abstract

Removal of the predisposing condition, appropriate nutritional support to reintegrate both caloric and vitamin requirements and suppression of the contaminating bacterial flora represent the main of goals of the treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Generally, the polymicrobic nature of contaminating flora requires the administration of wide-spectrum antibiotics, but as yet we don't know which is the best pharmacological approach, in terms of drug, dosage and duration of therapy. There is no conclusive information regarding the most effective therapy that should be used. This paper reviews the efficacy of the different therapeutic approaches used.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Intestinal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases / therapy*
  • Intestine, Small / microbiology*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents