Single Daily Dose Rifaximin for the Treatment of Travelers' Diarrhea

Single Daily Dose Rifaximin vs. Standard Thrice Daily Dosing for the 3-Day Treatment of Travelers' Diarrhea

The study will compare durations of diarrhea among subjects who report to clinic for treatment and who receive either:

1. standard rifaximin therapy at a dose of 200 mg three times a day for 3 days, OR
2. a single 600 mg dose of rifaximin daily for 3 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• passage of 3 or more unformed stools in 24 hours plus an additional symptom of enteric disease such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever; and investigator verification that an unformed stool has been submitted.
• is > 18 years of age
• has diarrhea (at least three unformed stools in 24 hrs) plus at least one additional sign or symptom of enteric illness
• has acute diarrhea less than 1 week's duration
• willingness to provide a diarrhea stool sample
• willingness to keep a daily diary for 5 days
• signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• fever or bloody diarrhea
• has taken predictably effective antibiotics in the past week (e.g. quinolones, TMP/SMX, azalide or doxycycline)
• is pregnant now, likely to become pregnant, or breast-feeding
• has duration of diarrhea of greater than 1 weeks
• is allergic to Rifampin or Rifaximin
• has a history of significant underlying enteric, pulmonary, cardiac, renal disease, or any CNS disorder
• is more than moderately dehydrated