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One over-the-counter drug has been shown to dramatically reduce traveler’s diarrhea — and you probably already have it in your medicine cabinet.
Nobody wants to get sick on vacation, especially with an illness that can leave you stuck in the hotel room while your traveling party enjoys once-in-a-lifetime sights. But traveler’s diarrhea is the most predictable vacation-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A whopping 30 to 70 percent of travelers will get diarrhea on a two-week trip, depending on the destination and the season, the CDC says. But fear not, there is a way to stack your odds against getting the trip-ruining symptom.
The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, has been shown in multiple trials to reduce the risk of traveler’s diarrhea by 65 percent, Boston-based doctor Trisha Pasricha said in a recent Washington Post article.
Traveler’s diarrhea is usually caused by bacteria or viruses transferred from food and water. The CDC says poor hygiene in local restaurants is likely one of the largest contributors to the risk for traveler’s diarrhea.
Taking a sip from the pink bottle can help protect you from traveler’s diarrhea, with Dr. Pasricha noting the bismuth component has antibacterial and antiviral effects.
The doctor warned travelers must be diligent about when taking Pepto-Bismol. She said the medicine has to be in your body at the exact time the pathogen gets to your small bowel.
Pasricha advised taking four doses a day every three to four hours.
The doctor warned against taking bismuth subsalicylate for travelers with kidney disease and gout. She also advised against the medicine if you are already taking aspirin daily.
Pasricha also gave a few extra tips for eating and drinking abroad, including avoiding buffets where food is sitting out and saying no to ice, as it could be made from local tap water.
