What Normagut’s Saccharomyces Boulardii Is For
Normagut gives you Saccharomyces boulardii in a capsule, taken for loose stools and the unsettled gut that comes with a course of antibiotics or a bout of diarrhoea. Each capsule carries 250 mg of the yeast and a box holds 30, at one capsule once or twice a day with water.
The organism here is a yeast rather than a bacterium, and that single fact explains most of its behaviour. Antibiotics kill bacteria and leave yeasts alone, so this is the one sort of probiotic that keeps working when swallowed alongside an antibiotic. It also means the safety picture differs from the rest of this shelf, and there is a group of people for whom our doctor should decide rather than a label.
Who Should Not Take Saccharomyces Boulardii
Very rarely this yeast has entered the bloodstream of people who were already seriously unwell, causing an infection called fungaemia. Regulators have examined those cases. Malaysia’s medicines agency required the warning to be added to packaging in 2018, and the European assessment was that for critically ill or immunocompromised patients the risk outweighs the possible benefit. Most reported cases involved people in intensive care, people with weakened immune systems, or people with a central line or drip in place, and some of them died.
So please come and see our doctor, rather than ordering, if your immune system is weakened for any reason, if you are on treatment that suppresses it, if you have a drip, a central line or a feeding tube, if you are seriously unwell or recently out of hospital, or if you are buying for someone who is. We will suggest a bacterial probiotic instead and we keep several.
For a healthy adult with ordinary diarrhoea, none of this applies. We put it near the top because the people it matters to are the least likely to be asked at a till.
How to Take Normagut, and When
One capsule once or twice a day, swallowed whole with water. Because it is a yeast, you can take it at the same time as an antibiotic rather than spacing them two hours apart as you would with a bacterial probiotic. Keep going for a few days after the antibiotic course ends rather than stopping on the same day.
Keep the box somewhere cool, dry and out of the sun. Heat shortens the life of any live product and a Nairobi windowsill is the worst place in the house for it. Do not open the capsule into a hot drink.
A box of 30 runs to a month at one a day or a fortnight at two, which covers most antibiotic courses with capsules to spare.
If a Bacterial Probiotic Would Suit You Better
For anyone in the groups above, or anyone who would simply rather avoid a yeast, a bacterial probiotic is the alternative. HN Pro-Daily uses a spore-forming bacterium that holds up at room temperature, which suits a Kenyan cupboard better than most live products.
And if the patient is a child or anyone who struggles with capsules, Flora Norm sachets carry the same yeast in a powder that dissolves in a drink, and our Entero Pro liquid comes ready-mixed. The cautions above apply equally to the sachets.
The Warning Signs That Mean a Doctor Today
Please come in rather than ordering if there is blood in the stool, a high fever, vomiting of everything taken, unusual sleepiness, sunken eyes or a dry mouth, or diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days. For an adult, add weight loss you did not intend and diarrhoea that keeps returning over weeks.
If the patient is a child, fluid comes first in every case. Oral rehydration salts and zinc are what the World Health Organization recommends for childhood diarrhoea, and a probiotic goes alongside them. Ask us and we will put all three in the same bag.
Is Normagut Right for You?
It suits a healthy adult facing a course of antibiotics or a short bout of diarrhoea, who wants a capsule that can be taken at the same time as the antibiotic. The organism and the amount are both printed, which is more than most of this shelf manages.
Please speak to us first if any of these describes you:
- Your immune system is weakened, or you are on treatment that affects it. This is the group the fungaemia reports concern.
- You have a drip, a central line or a feeding tube, or you are buying for someone who does.
- You are seriously unwell or recently out of hospital.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or buying for a child. Please see our doctor for the right form and dose.
- There is blood in the stool, a high fever, or any sign of dehydration. Please come in today.
- You are elderly and frail. Our doctor should decide rather than a shelf.
And if you are not certain which group you are in, ask our pharmacist before you order. It takes two minutes and it is exactly what we are here for.
Where to Buy Normagut 30’s in Kenya
Order online and we deliver countrywide, or collect from our pharmacy at Kahawa Sukari Shopping Center, Nairobi. We send orders to Nairobi and every neighbourhood around it — the CBD, Westlands, Parklands, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Runda, Rosslyn, Kitisuru, Lower Kabete, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Karen, Langata, South B, South C, Eastleigh, Buruburu, Donholm, Embakasi, Ngong Road, Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman, Githurai, Ruaka, Banana Hill, Two Rivers, Village Market and Pride Lands — and across Kiambu, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Limuru and Ngong.
Beyond the capital we deliver to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Athi River, Kitengela, Kajiado, Naivasha, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Webuye, Kitale, Nandi Hills, Iten, Kapenguria, Embu, Meru, Chuka, Kerugoya, Murang’a, Othaya, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Maralal, Isiolo, Marsabit, Moyale, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Lodwar, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Emali, Kibwezi, Voi, Taveta, Wundanyi, Mariakani, Diani, Ukunda, Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi, Lamu and Hola. At one or two capsules a day a pack runs for a known length of time, so tell us the pack size you want and we will work out how many months that covers before you order.
Across Africa, ask us before you order. We have sent orders to Uganda, Tanzania, Somaliland and as far as Malawi, and we will quote for Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the rest of the continent. Tell us the destination and we will confirm any import paperwork before the parcel leaves us.
Living abroad? Order from wherever you are and we deliver to your family here in Kenya. Kenyans in the UK, the United States, Canada, South Africa and the Gulf order from us regularly for parents and relatives at home. A probiotic like this one taken steadily month after month does far more than a single pack, so tell us who it is for and how many months you want covered and we will set up the repeat.
Why Buy Your Normagut 30’s from HealthAlone Kenya?
HealthAlone is a pharmacist-led health ecosystem licensed by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and our stock is original, sealed and correctly stored. Kahawa Sukari is a real counter with real pharmacists behind it.
Our pharmacists will ask the fungaemia question before selling a yeast probiotic to anyone whose immune system is compromised, pick the right form for a child rather than a capsule, and put oral rehydration salts and zinc in the bag when a child has diarrhoea. Our doctor is here too if you would rather have the whole question looked at properly.
It is one more step in our vision: building Africa’s most trusted health ecosystem, accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Normagut 30’s: Your Questions Answered
What is in Normagut?
Saccharomyces boulardii, 250 mg per capsule, 30 capsules a box. It is a yeast rather than a bacterium. No health claim for any probiotic is authorised, so we hold back from promising a result.
Can I take it with antibiotics?
Yes, and at the same time, because antibiotics kill bacteria and leave yeasts alone. That is this product’s main practical advantage. Carry on for a few days after the course finishes.
Is there anyone who should not take it?
Yes, and please read this. Very rarely the yeast has entered the bloodstream of people who were already seriously unwell. Malaysia’s medicines agency required the warning on packaging in 2018 and the European view is that for critically ill or immunocompromised patients the risk outweighs the benefit. If your immune system is weakened, or you have a drip or central line, see our doctor instead.
How many capsules a day?
One, once or twice daily with water, swallowed whole. A box of 30 lasts a month at one a day or a fortnight at two.
Is it safe for children?
Please ask our doctor, who will decide on the form and the dose. A capsule is rarely the right shape for a small child and we have a sachet and a liquid instead.
Can I use it in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Please see our doctor first. The safety data in pregnancy is limited, which is a reason for a conversation rather than a guess.
Are there side effects?
Mild bloating or wind in the first days is the usual report and it tends to settle. The serious concern is the fungaemia question above, which applies to a specific group rather than to healthy adults.
Does it need a fridge?
No, but keep it cool, dry and out of the sun. Heat shortens the life of any live product, which matters more here than in the country it was packed in.
What is the difference between this and Flora Norm?
The same yeast in a different form: this is a capsule, Flora Norm is a sachet that dissolves in a drink. The cautions are identical. Tell our pharmacist who it is for and we will pick.
Should I take it after the antibiotics finish?
A few days beyond the end of the course is the sensible pattern rather than stopping on the same day. There is no reason to carry on indefinitely.
My child has diarrhoea. What comes first?
Fluid. Oral rehydration salts and zinc are the WHO-recommended treatment for childhood diarrhoea and they matter most; a probiotic goes alongside. Ask us for all three and we will explain the spacing.
When should I see a doctor instead of buying it?
Today, if there is blood in the stool, a high fever, vomiting of everything, sleepiness, sunken eyes or a dry mouth, or diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days. For adults, add unintended weight loss.
Where can I buy Normagut 30’s in Kenya, and what does it cost?
From HealthAlone, online for delivery countrywide or over the counter at Kahawa Sukari Shopping Center, Nairobi. The current price is shown above. We deliver across Nairobi — the CBD, Westlands, Parklands, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Runda, Kitisuru, Lavington, Kilimani, Karen, Langata, South B, South C, Eastleigh, Kasarani, Roysambu, Githurai, Ruaka and Banana Hill — and to Kiambu, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Limuru, Ngong, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Kitengela, Naivasha, Narok, Kericho, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kitale, Embu, Meru, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Lodwar, Kitui, Makueni, Voi, Taveta, Mariakani, Diani, Ukunda, Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi and Lamu. Outside Kenya we have delivered to Uganda, Tanzania, Somaliland and Malawi, and we quote for Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the rest of Africa on request. Tell us whether it is for an adult or a child and we will choose between the capsule, the sachet and the liquid.
