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Poorly absorbed antibiotics for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea

David N Taylor1

  • 1Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. david.taylor@salix.com

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|November 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Poorly absorbed antibiotics effectively treat traveler's diarrhea with fewer side effects and less risk of resistance. Rifaximin showed comparable efficacy to ciprofloxacin in clinical studies.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is a common illness caused by enteric pathogens.
  • Systemically absorbed antibiotics for TD carry risks of adverse effects and resistance development.
  • Poorly absorbed oral antibiotics offer targeted gastrointestinal delivery with reduced systemic exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and safety of poorly absorbed oral antibiotics for traveler's diarrhea.
  • To compare the impact of poorly absorbed antibiotics on bacterial resistance compared to systemically absorbed agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical studies on poorly absorbed oral antibiotics for TD.
  • Analysis of antibiotic efficacy, tolerability, and potential for resistance development.

Main Results:

  • Poorly absorbed antibiotics deliver high drug concentrations to the gut with minimal systemic effects.
  • Agents like aztreonam, bicozamycin, and rifaximin demonstrated efficacy and good tolerability.
  • Rifaximin was found to be as effective as ciprofloxacin in shortening TD illness duration.

Conclusions:

  • Poorly absorbed oral antibiotics are a viable treatment option for traveler's diarrhea.
  • These agents may pose a lower risk for promoting bacterial resistance.
  • Further research is needed for invasive infections and comprehensive resistance assessment.

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