Medical Health Encyclopedia

Preventive Drugs

Pepto-Bismol. Taking two tablets of Pepto-Bismol four times a day before and during international travel can help prevent many cases of diarrhea. Pepto-Bismol should not be taken for more than 3 weeks. Both aspirin and Pepto-Bismol share the active ingredient salicylate, which can be harmful to children. Many medications interfere with salicylate, and people allergic to aspirin, pregnant women, and those who have ulcers, other bleeding disorders, or gout, should not take Pepto-Bismol without consulting a doctor. Side effects of Pepto-Bismol include ringing in the ears and black stools and tongue.

Prophylactic Antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotic regimens are those that are used to prevent diarrhea while traveling. They work well but there are many reasons that warrant against their routine use. Taking prophylactic antibiotics can trigger adverse drug reactions, development of superinfections, and can contribute to the widespread bacterial resistance to many antibiotics. Antibiotics are also not effective against parasites or viruses and may give travelers a sense of false security. At this time, prophylactic antibiotics are therefore not generally recommended. However, researchers are studying whether prophylactic antibiotics should be used more often. In a 2005 study of travelers to Mexico, 15% of patients who took preventive doses of rifaximin (Xifaxan) developed traveler’s diarrhea compared to 54% of patients who received placebo. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that was approved in 2004 for treatment of traveler’s diarrhea caused by E. coli.

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Lactobacilli. Taking capsules that contain protective bacteria called lactobacilli (also called probiotics), may be helpful. Some studies report that a genetically engineered strain called Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG may prevent and reduce severity of diarrhea. In fact, lactobacilli may be used for both prevention and treatment in children without any adverse effects. The capsules can be split open and put into beverages for small children.