Safe and effective beta-lactamase dosing for microbiome protection

1. A method of protecting a human patient's gastrointestinal microbiome, comprising administering an amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a beta-lactamase to a patient in need thereof, wherein:

the patient is undergoing treatment or has recently undergone treatment with a beta-lactam antibiotic, optionally selected from a penicillin and a cephalosporin;

the patient is undergoing treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, wherein the proton pump inhibitor is esomeprazole;

the beta-lactamase comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and

the amount of beta-lactamase is 150 mg.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam antibiotic is a penicillin.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam antibiotic is a cephalosporin.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam antibiotic and beta-lactamase are administered simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam antibiotic and beta-lactamase are administered sequentially.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactamase is administered orally.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the beta-lactam antibiotic is administered parenterally, optionally selected from intravenously and/or by infusion.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protection of the patient's microbiome comprises maintenance of a normal intestinal microbiota selected from maintenance of a healthy microbiota balance and a healthy ratio or distribution.