If you've been told about Banatrol by a nurse or dietitian, or seen it in a hospital, you've probably wondered two things. What exactly is in it, and is it any different from ordinary banana flakes? This guide lays out the facts from the manufacturer's labeling, the known side effects and cautions, and how the two compare.
PG Foods is not affiliated with Medtrition, the maker of Banatrol. Banatrol® is a trademark of Medtrition.
What is Banatrol?
Banatrol is a line of products from Medtrition used for the dietary management of diarrhea. The main product today is Banatrol Plus, a powder sold in single-serve packets and jars. There is also Banatrol TF, a liquid version designed for tube feeding.
Banatrol Plus is classified as a medical food. That's an FDA category for foods formulated to manage a specific condition, intended for use under medical supervision. It isn't a drug, and it isn't an ordinary grocery item either.
What's in Banatrol Plus?
According to the manufacturer's labeling, the unflavored version contains two things:
1. Banana flakes – dried banana, a source of soluble fiber.
2. Bimuno® – a prebiotic made of galactooligosaccharides (GOS). It is produced from milk sugar, so it carries a small amount of lactose, glucose, and galactose.
Flavored versions add flavorings, a sweetener, and salt. Because of the GOS, the product is labeled "Contains milk."
What does Banatrol do?
Banatrol takes a two-part approach:
• Banana fiber thickens stool. The soluble fiber in banana flakes absorbs water in the colon and forms a gel.
• The prebiotic feeds beneficial bacteria. GOS isn't digested in the stomach or small intestine. It reaches the colon, where bacteria such as bifidobacteria ferment it.
Anti-diarrheal medicines slow gut movement. Banatrol works on stool consistency instead. For that reason, clinicians sometimes use it where slowing the gut isn't appropriate, for example while waiting on a C. diff test.
Common uses
The manufacturer positions Banatrol Plus for diarrhea associated with:
• tube feeding
• antibiotics
• C. difficile infection
• chemotherapy and radiation
• flu and other infections
• high-output ostomies
It can be taken by mouth or given through a feeding tube.
Banatrol vs. Banatrol Plus
People often use "Banatrol" for the whole product line. Banatrol Plus is the current powdered formula: banana flakes plus the Bimuno prebiotic. Banatrol TF is the liquid, tube-feeding version, which also includes other soluble fibers and apple pectin. If your care team has recommended a specific version, use that one.
Banatrol side effects
Banatrol is made from food ingredients and is generally well tolerated. The side effects and cautions worth knowing are:
• Gas and bloating. Prebiotic fiber is fermented by gut bacteria, and fermentation produces gas. This usually settles as the gut adjusts.
• Milk and lactose. Banatrol Plus contains milk-derived ingredients. The manufacturer lists about 0.27 g of lactose per serving, which most people with lactose intolerance tolerate. People with a milk allergy should check with their clinician.
• Galactosemia. The manufacturer states that Banatrol Plus is not for people with galactosemia. This is a firm contraindication.
• Latex-fruit syndrome. People allergic to latex can react to banana. The manufacturer lists this as a contraindication.
• Potassium. Banana flakes contain potassium, so the product does too. The exact amount is on the label. That matters for people with kidney disease or on potassium-restricted diets.
Does Banatrol cause constipation?
The manufacturer says it doesn't slow the gut, and it's designed not to cause the rebound constipation that anti-diarrheal drugs can. As with any fiber, taking a lot without enough fluid can make stools harder. Tapering down as symptoms settle helps, and the label directions include a taper.
Can Banatrol cause diarrhea?
That's unusual. Large amounts of prebiotic fiber can loosen stools in some people, though. If symptoms get worse after starting it, stop and speak to your clinician.
Is Banatrol safe?
For most people, used as directed and under medical supervision, Banatrol has a good safety profile. It is made from banana and a prebiotic fiber. The main exceptions are the contraindications above: galactosemia and latex-fruit syndrome, plus care with milk allergy and potassium restrictions. The manufacturer also says it doesn't affect medication absorption. Confirm that with your pharmacist if you take time-sensitive medicines.
Banatrol Plus vs. plain banana flakes
|
|
Banatrol Plus |
Plain banana flakes |
|
Ingredients |
Banana flakes + Bimuno GOS prebiotic (+ flavorings in flavored versions) |
Banana only |
|
Classification |
Medical food, for use under medical supervision |
Ordinary food |
|
Added prebiotic |
Yes |
No (bananas contain some natural fiber) |
|
Contains milk |
Yes (small amount of lactose) |
No |
|
Galactosemia |
Not suitable |
Banana itself is not a galactose source |
|
Serving format |
Pre-measured packets or scoops |
Measured by the tablespoon |
|
Typical use |
Hospitals, tube feeding, clinical diarrhea |
Home use, mild loose stools, cooking and baking |
Which should you use?
• If a clinician recommended Banatrol, or you're managing diarrhea from tube feeding, C. diff, or cancer treatment, follow that plan. The product was built for those settings.
• For mild, short-lived loose stools in an otherwise healthy adult, plain banana flakes are a simple food option. See how to use banana flakes for diarrhea.
• If you need to avoid milk, plain banana flakes don't contain it.
PG Foods sells banana flakes and organic banana flakes. They are drum dried and single-ingredient. They are not a medical food and haven't been tested as a substitute for Banatrol. To see how banana flakes compare with other banana ingredients, read Banana Flakes vs. Banana Powder vs. Green Banana Flour.
FAQ
What does Banatrol do?It thickens loose stool with banana fiber and feeds beneficial gut bacteria with a prebiotic. It doesn't slow gut movement the way anti-diarrheal drugs do.
Does Banatrol have potassium?Yes. It comes from the banana flakes. Check the product label for the amount per serving.
Is Banatrol safe for people with lactose intolerance?It contains a small amount of lactose, about 0.27 g per serving according to the manufacturer. That's usually tolerated, but ask your clinician if your intolerance is severe or you have a milk allergy.
Who should not take Banatrol?People with galactosemia or latex-fruit syndrome, according to the manufacturer. Anyone with a milk allergy or on a potassium restriction should check with a clinician first.
How do you use Banatrol Plus?Mix it into water, juice, or soft foods like applesauce or yogurt, or give it through a feeding tube as directed. The label suggests one to two scoops twice daily, reduced to once daily as stools normalize.
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Product details are summarized from the manufacturer's published labeling as of September 2026. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
