FDA approves new drug to treat travelers' diarrhea

The US Food and Drug Administration today approved Aemcolo (rifamycin), an antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of adult patients with travelers’ diarrhea caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), not complicated by fever or blood in the stool.

The approval was granted to Cosmo Technologies, an Ireland-based subsidiary of Italy’s Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (SIX: COPN).

"Travelers' diarrhea affects millions of people each year and having treatment options for this condition can help reduce symptoms of the condition," said Dr Edward Cox, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.