when we look at anti-diarrheal agents the most important are those that stop symptoms immediately such as imodium and lomotil. we prefer imodium because it does not make you feel drugged and sleepy but does stop your symptoms. [note: imodium is one of several brand names for loperamide. lomotil and lonox are brand names for diphenoxylate combined with atropine]. remember that these agents do not cure the illness. they just stop you up and thus stop the cramping. these drugs are fine to take immediately right after you feel that urge and pass that first loose stool. it will make you feel better faster. some people think that it is not a good idea to take agents such as these with diarrhea because it's better to purge all the "bad stuff" that's in you. but a number of studies show taking something like imodium does not prolong illness. now people with high fever or bloody stools or terrible abdominal symptoms should not take these drugs. they should seek medical attention. for people with mild to moderate travelers' diarrhea there is nothing wrong with taking imodium and a dose of antibiotic at the same time. for mild diarrhea if you do not have an antibiotic or are just looking for temporary relief it is fine to take these drugs without an antibiotic. but if you're looking for a cure and want and need to move on with your travels in general it is good to take an antibiotic as well. one to three days of antibiotics will cure most cases of travelers' diarrhea.
is it okay to take lomotil lonox or imodium to relieve travelers' diarrhea?