In Reply to: bali belly tablets-what r they called posted by buddy on Saturday, 9. April 2005 at 07:20 Bali Time:
‘Bali Belly' is a pain in the - - - -, for at least 24 hours.
There are many recommended remedies but its best not to get it in the first place. Personal hygiene needs to be watched more carefully than at home, particularly hand washing. You'll know that you've got it about 3-4 hours after you get it - the bug that is. You might not want to believe it at first but a couple of hours later there'll be no denying it.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THE TAPS!
Be especially careful of this when your guard is down - in your hotel shower and when cleaning your teeth. Keep bottled water in your bathroom at all times. Purchase your own if you are in a cheaper hotel that does not supply it. You must however drink adequate water or you will dangerously dehydrate in the tropical climate. Safe, bottled water is cheap and readily available virtually all over the island. You know you're on a good thing when you see the locals doing it! Guys (and Gals?) if you use a blade razor to shave do not rinse it under the tap. Rinse it in bottled water also or you might break out in a rash that is not nice in sensitive areas.
Wash your hands after visiting the toilet or handling money particularly. See ‘HEALTH PROTECTION' below.
Don't drink using straws as they are washed and re-used in some places.
Don't buy bottled drinks that are kept cool in ice/water slurry cold chests. Purchase only from refrigerated cabinets.
Ice in the tourist areas is made under government control and should be safe in drinks.
Imodium is a common clinical remedy (A$2.00 app; take 2 tablets straight away and 1 next morning).
Some say this is only a ‘stop gap' (is that a good choice of words?) for situations where you must travel as it can interfere with the bodily functions and inhibit the flushing out the bacteria and toxins. These antagonists would say that Pepto-bismol is a better way to go. 8 tablets a day, every day, all at once or spread out thro' the day. Changes the acidity of your gut and drives the bugs out so they don't multiply faster than your system can handle them.
Loperomide usually works within 1 hour. Others recommend daily Acidophilous tablets as a preventative to ward off the bugs.
Cipro or Ciproxin is a common prescription cure-all anti biotic.
Another remedy is Norritt, little black activated charcoal tablets available at Matahari Supermarkets and many other places in Bali, including many Circle K stores and Mini Marts, for Rp6700 for 40 tablets. 6 to 9 tablets three times a day.
Some travellers swear by lots of Entrostop charcoal tablets from a local ‘Apotic' (chemist or drugstore). They should not be used with other medication - or at least not within 4 hours as the beneficial effects of both may be cancelled out.
Locals reputedly use SG Tablets from their local ‘Apotic' (chemist). They are not easy to find and you may be told that they are no longer made. Keep searching.