Intestinal bacteria can metabolize orally administered drugs, activating or deactivating them. One example is the actinobacterium Eggerthella lenta, which enzymatically breaks down the heart-strengthening glycoside digoxin and can therefore reduce its long-term effect. Toxic effects due to the formation of reactive metabolites or bioaccumulation of the drug used are also known. The therapeutic success of important cancer drugs is linked to a healthy intestinal microbiota, which can be specifically strengthened with pro-, pre- and synbiotics before and during the intake of the drugs. Intestinal microbiome analysis using next generation sequencing (NGS) allows an assessment of whether a healthy intestinal environment (eubiosis) is present and whether germs, known for their effect on medication, are present in large numbers.
