Dr. Thomas Louie: The making of fecal transplant oral capsules

Would you knowingly swallow a pill made from someone else’s poop? Even the thought of it can make some people gag, but for those suffering from severe forms of clostridium difficile (C. diff) taking a poop pill can give them their lives back. The poop pill was pioneered by a University of Calgary researcher, Dr. Tom Louie. Recently, a randomized study in Alberta compared the difference between a fecal microbiota transplant delivered in pill form, or by colonoscopy. The research shows poop pills are an effective treatment and have numerous advantages over colonoscopy. They are non-invasive, they’re less expensive, they don’t have any of the risks associated with sedation and they can be administered in a doctor’s office. Check out our interview with Dr. Tom Louie to find out how they’re made!