Rifaximin, Loperamide and the Combination to Treat Travelers' Diarrhea

During short-term study, adult U.S. students in Mexico (n = 310) with acute diarrhea (≥ 3 unformed stools with enteric symptoms) were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized trial wherein they were given rifaximin 200 mg three times a day for 3 days (R) (n = 102), loperamide 4 mg initially followed by 2 mg after each unformed stool not to exceed 8 mg/day for 2 days (L) (n = 104) or both drugs in the same dosage schedule (L/R) (n = 104). The major outcome parameter was time from initiation of therapy until passage of the last unformed stool before becoming well (TLUS).

Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion criteria include: IRB approval; signing of a consent form;18 years of age or older, providing of an unformed pre-treatment stool; females must be non-pregnant and not nursing. Exclusion Criteria: * Exclusion criteria include: diarrhea longer than 72 hours; moderate or severe dehydration, pregnancy or breast feeding, receipt of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azalide, doxycycline, or a fluoroquinolone in the past week; unstable medical condition; hypersensitivity to rifaximin or rifampin; fever (\>100.6o F) or bloody diarrhea.