Pepto Bismol vs. Immodium AD

Howdy ya'll. Mark here, long-time lurker - first time poster. I recently read on a travel tips website that Pepto Bismol is better for treating diarrhea than Immodium AD. Their reasoning was that Immodium AD stops everything up, trapping the bugs inside whereas PeptoBismol allows the bugs to flow out at a slow rate. Does anyone have any real-world experience to share one way or another?<br><br>Thanks.<br> -Mark<br>

Mark,<br><br>Pepto does nothing for me, except turn my stomach. Immodium AD has always worked for me, only once requiring a second dose. Keep in mind that YMMV.<br><br>Andy

On a trip to Kenya I found Immodium to be my most valuable OTC treatment. I had absolutely no worry about stopping bad things inside <br><br>Pepto seemed to have simply been a waste of space in my travel kit. Immodium AD is ALWAYS with me when I travel.<br><br>BTW, Blast seems a particularly good acronym for this thread.<br>

I second you on Immodium choice. In Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Immodium was the only thing that kept my things in order. Small pill worked either as a preventive thing or during. Funny thing is that after three weeks I didn't need it anymore. <br><br>Matt

Okay, Immodium AD stays in my kit. Size alone is a pretty good reason. Thanks for the quick responses!<br><br> -Mark

You should chuck your pepto-bismol aside. If you have diarrhoea, immodium will do the trick. <br> As for the bugs being washed out with the poo, the aim of antidiarrhoeal treatment is symptomatic relief and prevention of complications like dehydration. Your body will take care of the toxins, and it will 'wash out' eventually. Your body is a well maintained and self correcting organism.<br> Of course, if your diarrhorea persists or is extremely watery (rice-water stools) or bloody, please seek medical attention to rule out cholera / salmonella for which a course of antibiotics will do the trick.<br><br>

I carry both with a bigger emphasis on Immodium. Diarreah is far more life threatening than upset-stomach. However, I carry plenty of both in all of my kits. <br><br>I also carry a number of heart-burn medications such as Pepcid AC, Prevacid, Etc.<br><br>I would consider everything besides the Immodium to be more or less for comfort.

I carry both as well. Nothing more dibilitating than severe diarrhea when clean water is at a premium and dehydration starts to set in.