title: Efficacy and toxicity of fleroxacin in the treatment of travelers' diarrhea.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of fleroxacin in brief self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea were studied. In The Gambia, 195 tourists with acute diarrhea were randomized in a double-blind, controlled trial into three treatment groups: fleroxacin 400 mg for 1 day, fleroxacin 400 mg daily for 2 days, and placebo. Microbiology of stools was assessed only at recruitment. In the fleroxacin-treated groups, stool consistency was normal in 67% and 71% of the volunteers after 48 hours, as compared to 37% in the placebo group (p < 0.01). The time to total relief of diarrhea and of all symptoms was also significantly shorter in fleroxacin-treated patients. Adverse events, particularly slight neuropsychiatric reactions (headache, insomnia) were more frequent in the fleroxacin-treated groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy and tolerance if fleroxacin was administered for 1 or 2 days. A single dose of fleroxacin 400 mg may be recommended for the self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jori
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: DuPont
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mathewson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stürchler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D016576:Fleroxacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D016576:Fleroxacin