SHORT-TERM TREATMENT OF TRAVELERS DIARRHEA WITH NORFLOXACIN - A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY DURING 2 SEASONS

Clinical efficacy of norfloxacin for treatment of traveler's diarrhea in 106 Finnish tourists vacationing in Morocco was evaluated during tw o different seasons. When the criteria for diagnosis of traveler's dia rrhea were fulfilled, norfloxacin (400 mg) or a placebo was given oral ly, twice daily for 3 days. All symptoms and signs subsided sooner in the norfloxacin group. The clearest difference was observed in the dur ation of diarrhea: 1.2 days in the norfloxacin group vs. 3.3 days in t he placebo group (P < .001). The duration of diarrhea due to particula r species was as follows for the two groups: in cases due to Salmonell a enterica, 1.1 vs. 4.1 days (P < .01); in cases due to Campylobacter jejuni, 1.8 vs. 5.0 days (P < .01); and in cases due to enterotoxigeni c Escherichia coli, 1.0 day vs. 3.1 days (P < .01). The rate of full r ecovery during administration of norfloxacin or a placebo was also gre ater among the norfloxacin recipients: 84% vs. 47% (P < .001). No sign ificant adverse effects were reported. Norfloxacin proved to be safe a nd effective in therapy for traveler's diarrhea.