it depends. for adults ciprofloxacin is used most commonly. sometimes for those traveling to certain places in southeast asia where bacterial pathogens have increased resistance some doctors like to prescribe azithromycin. in some cases where you feel that the traveler may likely be exposed to just the coliform pathogens such as e. coli some prescribe rifaximin. of course antibiotics work only for bacterial causes of travelers' diarrhea. know that even bacterial travelers' diarrhea usually gets better without antibiotic treatment although rehydration is always advised and symptoms may take 3 to 5 days or more to subside without treatment. for those with diarrhea due to parasitic infections there are agents that are specific for each type of infection. however for giardia infections tinidazole [tindamax] is often prescribed and is very effective.
what antibiotic should i take for travelers' diarrhea?