Travelan

Travelan is an Australian colostrum-based over-the-counter (OTC) product marketed for the prevention of traveller's diarrhoea (TD).
Description
Travelan is an OTC tablet formulation of hyperimmune bovine colostrum containing antibodies to (ETEC), a common cause of TD. It is marketed as a means of preventing (as opposed to treating) the symptoms of TD caused by that specific bacterial species.
Mechanism of action
While the diagnosis of TD does not imply a specific organism, ETEC is the most commonly isolated TD pathogen. Travelan contains antibodies that specifically bind and inactivate ETEC, neutralizing the bacteria's ability to cause TD and its associated symptoms. Since the antibodies are ETEC-specific, the product would not be expected to prevent TD due to other organisms, such as enteroaggregative E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, various viruses, and protozoans such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium.
Clinical studies
Travelan has demonstrated efficacy of up to 90.9% (p<0.05) against artificial challenge with a homologous strain of ETEC, with decreased abdominal pain compared to control subjects and no observed adverse effects, in one placebo-controlled, manufacturer-sponsored clinical trial. As yet, there are no published studies of efficacy under actual travel conditions.
Dosage
Travelan is taken orally before each meal while travelling in destinations at high risk for TD. These include developing countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Regulatory approval
Travelan is listed in Australia with the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) for the indication of reducing the risk of TD.
Manufacture
Travelan is a natural product harvested from dairy cows that are immunized with a patented vaccine that increases levels of anti-ETEC antibodies in the colostrum. The resulting colostrum product contains high levels of these ETEC-specific antibodies. Travelan is manufactured and marketed by the Australian biopharmaceutical company Immuron Ltd.

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