Attapulgite in the treatment of acute diarrhoea: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

A double-blind placebo-controlled study was carried out to assess the therapeutic effects of Attapulgite, a purified hydrated aluminium magnesium silicate, as an additional agent to oral rehydration solutions in 30 adults with mild-to-moderate acute diarrhoea where no bacterial or protozoal causes could be identified. The study subjects were give 600 mg tablets of Attapulgite or placebo in a random order and followed up for 72 hours. Attapulgite was observed to be significantly better than placebo in reducing the severity and duration of diarrhoea in terms of frequency of motion and consistency of stools (p < 0.01), severity of dehydration (p < 0.01) and in reducing the amount of ORS consumed (p < 0.05). Attapulgite was also well-tolerated. Attapulgite, therefore, merits attention as an additional safe agent besides ORS for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acute diarrhoea.