Lufenuron: An Experimental Yeast Treatment

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Lufenuron for Yeast in a Lyme disease treatment Image from Marty Ross MD

Updated: 3/29/23

Lufenuron for Yeast in Lyme Disease

At some point in treatment, most patients with Lyme develop too many yeast in the intestines. This even occurs when using strong measures to prevent this problem. Unfortunately, yeast is becoming resistant to common anti-yeast medicines and herbs.

As a later resort, when yeast is a problem, an experimental treatment called lufenuron seems to work relatively well. Here, I describe how lufenuron may work, proper dosing, and safety issues.

Find approaches to treat and prevent yeast overgrowth in Kills & Prevents Yeast: A Brief Guide.

About Chitin and Yeast

Lufenuron is a chitin synthesis inhibitor. Chitin is a hard-fibrous material found in insect coverings and yeast coverings, though it is not found in humans. Yeast must make chitin to survive. If the production of chitin is blocked, yeast may eventually die because they develop holes in the covering. Animal studies show lufenuron is effective against fungal infections, but there are no studies that show lufenuron works in humans.

Lufenuron for Yeast in Humans is Experimental

Lufenuron is manufactured as an insecticide and is found in flea treatments. Numerous animal studies, including some on primates, cats, and dogs, show it is safe.

However, because lufenuron treatment is very inexpensive, the pharmaceutical companies have not performed human safety studies. These companies stand to gain more profits from the sales of other prescription anti-yeast medications.

Even though human safety studies have not been conducted, lufenuron appears safe and is not toxic to the kidneys or liver. It is removed from the body in our stool.

Be aware that lufenuron is a fat-soluble medicine. This means it is stored in fat, and substances that are stored in fat take a long time to remove from the body. Animal studies show it can take a month or more to eliminate this medicine. So if you have an allergic reaction, it could take a long time for the reaction to go away.

How to Take Lufenuron for Yeast in Lyme Disease Treatment

When other common treatments for yeast overgrowth of the intestines fail, based on my clinical experience, lufenuron works about 85-90 percent of the time as an effective nutritional support. However, because no human safety studies exist, I suggest taking it for no more than two months at a time.

Lufenuron is extremely fat soluble, which means it is stored in fatty tissues in our body and is slowly released over a two-week period of time. An adult dosage is to take 3 gm 1 time a day for 3 days and then take 11 days off. In treating intestinal yeast overgrowth, I find that four rounds of treatment are often needed. Because it is stored and slowly released from fat, a 3-day treatment lasts for 14 days.

Also, lufenuron should be taken after a fatty meal because it increases the absorption of the medicine. Common sources of fat include yogurt, avocado, oils, nuts and nut butters, butter, and cheeses.

How to Purchase Lufenuron

The older source for this supplement based in Switzerland is no longer available. There is an Australian source, however, which may be found at candidacapsules.com. This source seems to work as well as the unavailable old source.

One Last Word

Because no human safety studies exist, I consider lufenuron an experimental treatment, as a later resort in yeast treatments. If you follow these recommendations, you are doing so at your own risk. Read more about ways to eliminate yeast in Kills & Prevents Yeast: A Brief Guide.

Disclaimer

The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.

References

View Citations

  1. Ben-Ziony Y, Arzi B. Use of Lufenuron for treating fungal infections of dogs and cats: 297 cases (1997-1999). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000;217(10):1510-3. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.217.1510 (View)
  2. Chaffin WL, López-Ribot JL, Casanova M, Gozalbo D, Martínez JP. Cell wall and secreted proteins of Candida albicans: Identification, function, and expression. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 1998;62(1):130-180. doi:10.1128/mmbr.62.1.130-180.1998 (View)
  3. European Food Safety Authority. Conclusion regarding the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance lufenuron. EFSA Sci Rep. 2008;189:1-130. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.189r
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About The Author

Marty Ross, MD is a passionate Lyme disease educator and clinical expert. He helps Lyme sufferers and their physicians see what really works based on his review of the science and extensive real-world experience. Dr. Ross is licensed to practice medicine in Washington State (License: MD00033296) where he has treated thousands of Lyme disease patients in his Seattle practice.

Marty Ross, MD is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine and Georgetown University Family Medicine Residency. He is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The Institute for Functional Medicine, and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).

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