ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Traveler's diarrhea
;
Medical prophylaxis
;
Self-medication
;
Tannalbuminate
;
Ethacridinlactate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Diarrhea represents the most frequent health problem of Western tourists visiting subtropical and tropical areas. Antibiotic prophylaxis has been suggested by some authors but may not be generally advisable because of adverse drug effects. In the present study we investigated the prophylaxis of traveler's diarrhea using a combination of tannalbuminate and ethacridin-lactate. During a 16-day cruise in Egypt, 77 tourists were assigned to either placebo or prophylactic doses of tannalbuminate (500 mg) and ethacridin-lactate (50 mg), 1 tbl. b.i.d., in a randomized double-blind fashion. The number of bowel movements, consistency of stools, and clinical symptoms like nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and fever were monitored daily. In the placebo group (n=43) 35 tourists developed diarrhea (81.4%), whereas in the verum group (n=34) only 18 tourists (52.9%) had diarrhea (p〈0.0125). In the travelers receiving verum and developing diarrhea the clinical symptoms were less pronounced than in the placebo group. These results demonstrate that the events of traveler's diarrhea may be reduced; moreover, symptoms are attenuated by medical prophylaxis with tannalbuminate and ethacridin-lactate.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01649558
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