title: Nonantimicrobial agents in the prevention and treatment of traveler's diarrhea.
abstract: Among the nonantimicrobial agents that are available and useful for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea are bismuth subsalicylate-containing preparations, which can provide a rate of protection of up to 65% when taken 4 times daily. In one study, the probiotic Lactobacillus GG was found to provide 49% protection against traveler's diarrhea, but results with this agent and other probiotics have been highly variable and geographically inconsistent. Tannin albuminate plus ethacridine lactate provided 36% protection, but it is not widely available. Among the nonantimicrobial agents that are available and useful for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea are bismuth subsalicylate-containing preparations, which reduce the passage of loose stools by 16%-18%. The antisecretory and antimotility agent loperamide reduces the passage of loose stools by approximately 50% and has been especially useful, in combination with antimicrobial agents, in reducing the total duration of posttreatment diarrhea to a matter of hours.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA. charles.d.ericsson@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ericsson
mesh_terms: D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals