A prophylactic program to prevent traveler's diarrhea in United States Naval personnel comparing doxycycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

A prophylactic program was designed to prevent traveler's diarrhea comparing the efficacy of doxycycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A total of 99 volunteers received either medication. No cases of traveler's diarrhea were reported in either group or in a control group not taking prophylactic antibiotics. The 42 volunteers taking doxycycline showed neither of its main two side effects, photosensitivity or gastrointestinal discomfort. Three of 57 volunteers taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole had side affects from it--two with some gastric discomfort and one with a skin rash. Another common side effect, which did not occur, is diarrhea. This paper makes suggestions on managing a shipboard traveler's diarrhea prevention program and anticipating potential problems.