berberine
Patient Counselling
For the treatment of traveller’s diarrhea, adult patients should take berberine sulfate 400mg once per day with a glass of water (1). Patients should continue to take this medication until diarrhea episodes have results; however if symptoms do not resolved within 3-5 days, or get worse, the patient should seek medical attention. Berberine is generally safe, but may cause some nausea or abdominal discomfort (2). For diabetic patients, it is recommended to monitor glucose levels while on this medication (1).
References:
References:
- Natural Standard: the authority on integrative medicine [database on the Internet]. Cambridge (MA): Natural Standard; 2013 [cited 20 March 2014]. Available from: http://www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/berberine.asp?.
- Khin-Maung-U, Myo-Khin, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, Aye-Kyaw, Tin-U. Clinical Trial of Berberine Watery Diarrhoea. BMJ. 1985 Dec; 291(6509) :1601-1605.