Probiotics and traveler’s diarrhea: Can they help prevent it?
- Question
- I will soon be traveling to several countries where finding safe drinking water will be a challenge. In the event I eat or drink something that would cause traveler’s diarrhea would it be wise to preventatively start taking a probiotic? Is it alright to take loperamide at the same time as taking a probiotic?
- Answer
- There is some evidence that taking a probiotic can help prevent travelers’ diarrhea although probiotics are notoriously variable in terms of their activity, with some being more effective than others with respect to this indication. I see no reason why you shouldn’t take loperamide with a probiotic should the need arise.
I should point out that diarrhea in gastroenteritis does serve a purpose of clearing out the germs that are causing the problem and, therefore, taking loperamide can sometimes delay recovery.
I usually advise patients to take one of the glucose and electrolyte powders when they get travelers’ diarrhea and just use the loperamide for emergencies, traveling, and to get home.
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Source: Adapted from IFFGD Publication #242 by Peter J. Whorwell, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.