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Mutaflor® Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917
02 Question and Answers
- Description
- Ingredients
- Indications
- FAQ
- Availability
Mutaflor® is presented in either a 20, 50 or 100 capsule pack.
The capsules are enteric coated, reddish brown in colour and cannot be pulled apart. This colouring is part of the enteric coating and ensures that the capsule will not degrade and open until the start of the large intestine is reached. The capsule contents are a beige powder.
Mutaflor® is a probiotic that comprises as its active ingredient a viable non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli (E.coli).
Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917
A Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) accompanies every pack and contains important information relating to the safe use of this product and lists all excipients.
Mutaflor® Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 is the only probiotic registered in Australia at AUST R level. AUST R 194957
This means the regulatory pathway was no different to that of a prescription medicine and as such was examined for:
Safety, Quality and Efficacy.
Mutaflor® is registered in Australia at AUST R level for the relief and management of chronic constipation.
Your healthcare practitioner may also wish to utilise this strain for its pharmacological and metabolic properties.
Characteristics of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917.
- the ability to colonize
- antagonistic activity – inhibition of growth and or killing of pathogens
- anti-invasive – prevention of colonisation in the gut by pathogens
- synthesis of endogenous antimicrobial peptides-defensins
- mucosal integrity – contributing to luminal metabolism and stability of intestinal milieu-enhanced epithelial barrier function
- anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects
- stimulation of colonic mucosa
The therapeutic effects of Mutaflor® are strain specific and have been demonstrated by in-vitro and in-vivo experiments and clinical studies. Mutaflor® Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is arguably one of the best studied and field tested probiotic strains and fulfills all the demanding criteria and characteristics required for a medicinal probiotic.
Mutaflor® Suspension – for Paediatrics
Mutaflor® Mite – children’s variant capsule
We are often asked for these two Mutaflor variants and neither are currently registered in Australia. This will be reviewed again early 2018.
My Doctor has prescribed a different dosage to that on the Mutaflor carton
The dosage set out on the Mutaflor carton reflects that used in the clinical studies based on chronic constipation. Always follow the advice of your Doctor or healthcare practitioner.
My child can not swallow the capsule – can it be opened?
Small children for most part have difficulty swallowing capsules so the ‘work around’ for practitioners here is to simply cut open the capsule and add to food.
If your child can tolerate dairy, then yoghurt is the ideal delivery method.
The important point is that the capsule contents is added to a meal.
Not all the bacteria will survive transit to the large intestine but enough will to retain therapeutic effect and the rationale is the meal will help in moving the PH toward neutral and therefore a less acidic environment.
Some begin with half capsule but as not all colony forming units (CFU) will survive, a whole capsule may be more appropriate.
Always talk to your Doctor or Healthcare Practitioner regarding the correct dosage.
You may need to make adjustments for age and mass.
The ‘do not break open the capsule’ is because the capsule is enteric coated and designed not to open until the large intestine is reached.
There is no safety issues with opening the capsule but is not suggested other than for these cases.
The suspension offers no protection to the gastric environment.
It is of lower strength and approx. 3 times the cost.
Please visit the FAQ page for more answers to common questions.
Mutaflor® is available without prescription from any pharmacy, medical practice or healthcare practitioner that may choose to dispense the product themselves.
However as a specialized probiotic with unique characteristics you may need to have your pharmacy order Mutaflor for you.