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Other Drugs
Drugs to stop diarrhoea
Travellers' diarrhoea can be caused by many different bugs, most of which are picked up from contaminated water. Prevention is better than cure. Here are some tips to prevent it, followed by drugs to treat it:
- If you suspect the local water may not be clean, boil it or drink bottled water. Remember the water you may get in ice-cubes and cleaning your teeth.
- You can use iodine tablets or drops if you have no choice but to drink local water.
- Make sure meat, poultry, fish and seafood is well done and eat it hot if at all possible. Eat only cooked vegetables and avoid salads.
- Peel all fruit, including tomatoes.
- Remember: Cook it, Boil it, Peel it or forget it!
Anti-diarrhoeal drugs
- Electrolyte replacement sachets such as dioralyte or electrolade.
They contain a mixture of salts and glucose. Reconstituted with water, they replace lost salts and fluids from diarrhoea. (obtainable over the counter at pharmacies)
- Antibiotics. If you are likely to be off the beaten track it may be worth taking away some antibiotic ie ciprofloxacin (on prescription only), in case you develop diarrhoea. This shouldn't be necessary on a typical 2 week package. This option is unavailable on the NHS for this purpose. Private prescriptions cost £8.50 and in addition you will need to pay the pharmacist for the drug itself.
- Imodium. This is an anti-diarrhoeal medicine which is useful in mild cases of diarrhoea for adults only. It can help stop the need to visit the toilet so frequently but is not generally recommended if you are ill with a temperature in association with the diarrhoea. Available over the counter.
- Remember...Always seek medical advice if diarrhoea is severe or prolonged, or if there is any blood in the stool. Children can dehydrate quickly. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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