An over-the-counter medicine found in many homes has been shown to reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea by 65 percent, according to a recent article in The Washington Post. The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, has demonstrated this effect in multiple trials.
Traveler's diarrhea is a common illness affecting 30 to 70 percent of people on two-week trips, depending on destination and season, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition is usually caused by bacteria or viruses from contaminated food and water, with poor hygiene in local restaurants being a major contributor.
Dr Trisha Pasricha, a Boston-based physician, explained that the bismuth component has antibacterial and antiviral effects. However, she stressed that the medicine must be taken at the right time to be effective. “The medicine has to be in your body at the exact time the pathogen gets to your small bowel,” she said, advising four doses a day every three to four hours.
Dr Pasricha warned against taking bismuth subsalicylate for people with kidney disease or gout, and for those already taking aspirin daily. She also offered additional tips for eating abroad, such as avoiding buffets where food is left out and declining ice, which may be made from local tap water.
