Tummy bugs, travel tummy and IBS-D: what to try first, what to avoid and when to get help

Few things disrupt family life faster than a tummy bug. One child starts with diarrhoea, another follows 24 hours later, the washing machine goes on repeat and suddenly you are counting backwards from the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting to work out when they can go back to nursery or school.

It’s important to follow standard advice: fluids, rest and keeping an eye out for dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions can be very useful, especially for diarrhoea in children, because they replace fluid and salts lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. But they do not reduce the diarrhoea itself. They can support the body while the episode runs its course.

These days, there’s now a different approach: not a drug or probiotic and not a herbal remedy, but an oral intestinal adsorbent - a tasteless gel that works in the gut by physically binding substances that can inflame your gut causing the diarrhoea, and helping remove them from the body.

ENTEROSGEL® (RRP £26 at Boots and Amazon) is the best-known intestinal adsorbent in the UK. It is a drug-free treatment for any type of acute or short-term diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D). For parents looking for a safe and drug-free diarrhoea treatment even for children, Enterosgel is an effective option which can be used alongside oral rehydration solutions.

How long does a tummy bug last? Most tummy bugs in children last five to seven days, causing dehydration, and also disrupting family plans. That’s why it’s useful to have a child diarrhoea treatment ENTEROSGEL in your medicinal cabinet and take it with the first symptoms of diarrhoea. 

The simple idea

1. Hydrate first

2. Then remove the cause - ENTEROSGEL® binds the toxins and bugs and passes them out of the body

3. Watch for warning signs

If symptoms worsen for you or your child, consult your GP

Why rehydration sachets aren't the whole answer for treatment of diarrhoea in children

Most diarrhoea starts suddenly, and you often do not know whether it’s caused by a virus, food poisoning, traveller’s diarrhoea, antibiotics, a swimming-pool bug or an IBS flare. That matters, because the treatment you reach for should be safe even when the cause is not yet clear.

Anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide can be useful for some adults in some situations, because they slow bowel movement and can reduce how often you need to go. But they are not removing the cause of the diarrhoea and they are not suitable for younger children. NHS advice is clear that children under 12 yrs should not be given this medicine to stop diarrhoea.

So how can parents treat their children? The usual advice is to keep giving fluids and hope diarrhoea passes quickly. However, ENTEROSGEL® offers a different approach. It is safe for use in children from birth because it does not slow the gut and is not absorbed into the body. Instead it works locally in the gut - like a clever sponge, binding the bugs and toxins causing the diarrhoea and removing them naturally. This means children can recover faster, and parents aren't left just waiting it out.

What is ENTEROSGEL®?

ENTEROSGEL® is a tasteless, odourless gel made from organic mineral hydrogel and purified water. In plain English, it is a gel with a porous structure that acts similar to a “Clever sponge” for the gut.

It physically binds some toxic and harmful substances in the bowel - for example bacterial toxins - and removes them from the body naturally. Because it acts physically rather than pharmacologically like drugs, it is classified as drug-free and is not absorbed into the bloodstream.

It is also free from preservatives, gluten, sugar, sweeteners, lactose, fat, flavourings, colourings and ingredients of plant or animal origin. For parents used to label-reading, it’s simplicity is part of its appeal.

Handy to have in your home medicine cabinet and while on-the-go

Why ENTEROSGEL® is in a different category from everything else on the shelf

ENTEROSGEL® is not a supplement. It is not a probiotic and not a herbal remedy. It is classified and regulated by the MHRA - the UK’s medicines regulator - as a CE Class IIa certified medical device. Enterosgel is a mineral based oral gastrointestinal adsorbent.  It means it works by adsorbing and removing harmful substances from the gut that can cause gastrointestinal symtpoms. 

It can physically bind certain substances in the gastrointestinal tract, such as bacterial toxins (C. Difficile and E.Coli), viral particles, excess bile acids and certain inflammatory molecules. 

Due to its proven clinical efficacy, it is available on NHS prescription which means your GP can prescribe it for IBS or diarrhoea. But you can also buy it over-the-counter from Boots or online from enterosgel.co.uk or Amazon.

For children: a medicine-cabinet essential

Children’s tummy bugs are usually managed at home, but they need careful watching because dehydration can happen quickly, especially in babies and younger children. Fluids remain the first priority. Keep breastfeeding or bottle-feeding and offer plenty of fluids; small sips often, are best. Also use oral rehydration solutions when advised or when dehydration is a concern.

ENTEROSGEL® can be used for children’s tummy bugs (norovirus , rotavirus), including babies. The dose is age related: from half teaspoon to a tablespoon mixed in water. In case of acute diarrhoea it is recommended to take enterosgel as soon as possible with the first symptoms.

On the first day it is advisable to take a dose after every bowel movement up to six times a day to help bind and remove the bugs, bacterial toxins or other harmful substances from the gut. That’s why it is useful to keep enterosgel at hand. In case diarrhoea strikes, take it with the first symptoms of diarrhoea to help reduce its duration and to recover faster. 

For school-age children, NHS advice recommends children should stay away from school until they have not vomited or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours. So, anything that helps shorten the course of diarrhoea can make a real difference to the whole household.

For many years, parents often felt that oral rehydration solution and waiting out diarrhoea were the only options. But we now know that untreated infectious diarrhoea can trigger post-infectious IBS - which is why starting treatment early matters. ENTEROSGEL® can reduce duration of diarrhoea significantly and I recommend it to patients in my practice, especially for diarrhoea in children. Most importantly, it’s a safe, drug-free option for gastroenteritis - including for babies, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

- Dr Preeti Raj, MBBS, MD (Obs & Gynae), MRCGP, DFFP, IFM 

Pack it alongside the snacks - ENTEROSGEL® fits in any travel bag

For travel: the thing you want before you need it 

Traveller's diarrhoea is one of the most common health problems affecting families on holiday - and it is not just an adult problem. New food, unfamiliar water, buffet meals, heat, swimming pools and long travel days can all upset children's stomachs, and a stomach bug on holiday can derail an entire trip within hours of arrival.

This is where the "pack it just in case" logic is at its strongest. ENTEROSGEL® is one of the most effective drug-free traveller's diarrhoea treatments available without prescription. The sachets are small enough to slip into a washbag, changing bag or hand luggage, need no refrigeration, and take up less space than a travel toothbrush. Pack them alongside oral rehydration sachets and any medicines your family normally travels with - and you won't need to hunt for a pharmacy in another language if something goes wrong.

Research published in BMJ Paediatrics Open (2025) by Professor Stephen Allen of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine showed that giving ENTEROSGEL® alongside oral rehydration solution significantly reduced the duration of acute diarrhoea in babies and children - meaning less time feeling poorly, and faster return to normal family life. 

If diarrhoea on holiday does strike - from food poisoning abroad, a stomach bug or contaminated water - take a double dose of ENTEROSGEL® with the very first symptoms, as directed on the pack. The gel physically binds the bug or bacterial toxins in the gut and removes them via the stool, helping you recover faster so the holiday can continue. Continue taking ENTEROSGEL® for three to five days to ensure the gut has fully cleared.

Research published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio, 2019) by scientists at the University of Brighton confirmed that ENTEROSGEL® physically binds the toxins produced by the bacteria most commonly responsible for food poisoning and traveller's diarrhoea - including E. coli, C. difficile and Shigella - and removes them from the gut. When a dodgy meal strikes on holiday, most of us reach for an anti-diarrhoeal - but slowing the gut down when there's a bug or toxin inside is a bit like locking the door with the problem still in the room. ENTEROSGEL® works the other way: it binds the toxins causing the misery and removes them, so your body can recover naturally and you can get back to the pool, the food, and everything you came for.

Good prevention still matters: wash hands frequently, stick to bottled or treated water including for brushing teeth, and be cautious with ice, buffet food and unpasteurised dairy. But prevention is not always enough - especially with young children who touch everything and teenagers who eat everything.

For students heading off on a gap year, inter-railing or a semester abroad, ENTEROSGEL® sachets are the ideal drug-free traveller's diarrhoea remedy - compact enough for a backpack and reassuring enough that parents feel better about all those street food markets. Exploring local food is one of the best parts of travelling. ENTEROSGEL® means you don't have to hold back.

Don't let a bug ruin your family holidays

Diarrhoea after antibiotics

One of the medicines that cause diarrhoea are antibiotics. Enterosgel can be taken during or after antibiotic treatment to gently cleanse the gut from break-down bacterial cells, this way creating the environment for growth of good bacteria and relieving diarrhoea. In case of diarrhoea after antibiotics take an age related  dose of ENTEROSGEL during 5-7 days to relieve diarrhoea and associated symptoms. 

Diarrhoea is also a common side effect of some medications, including GLP-1 weight-loss treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and certain vaccinations. ENTEROSGEL® can be taken alongside these treatments - simply leave a two-hour gap between ENTEROSGEL® and any oral medicines.

Living with IBS-D: when diarrhoea takes over your life 

For adults living with IBS-D, diarrhoea is not a two-day family drama. It can mean urgency before the school run, planning days out around available toilets, avoiding long journeys, and feeling anxious about eating out.

ENTEROSGEL® has strong clinical evidence as a treatment for IBS-D. In the recent UK RELIEVE- IBS-D trial, 440 people took part, and results showed real improvement in diarrhoea, abdominal pain, stool frequency, bloating and urgency compared with placebo. A 2024 review of IBS treatments in a top medical journal The Lancet also recommends ENTEROSGEL® as a first line treatment option for IBS patients where diarrhoea and urgency are the main symptoms. 

IBS is a complex condition and often needs a personalised plan that may include diet, stress support, sleep, exercise and medicines. But ENTEROSGEL® is a safe and effective option that can be purchased over the counter or in discussion with your GP.

IBS-D has historically been a condition we manage rather than treat - which is deeply frustrating for patients whose quality of life is so significantly affected. The results of the RELIEVE IBS-D study were genuinely exciting: ENTEROSGEL® didn’t just reduce symptoms, it improved patients’ quality of life in a meaningful and measurable way. It is now a first-line treatment option I recommend alongside other management therapies - and for many of my patients, ENTEROSGEL® has been the first treatment that has finally made a real difference.

- Professor Yan Yiannakou, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Principal Investigator, RELIEVE IBS-D Trial

When to get medical help

Most diarrhoea and vomiting can be managed at home, but some symptoms need medical advice. Trust your instincts - especially with babies, younger children, pregnancy, older relatives or anyone who seems unusually unwell.

Call NHS 111 immediately if: you're worried about a baby under 12 months; child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill; child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies; child (aged 5 years or over) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets; keeps being sick and cannot keep fluid down, have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom; have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days.111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one or recommend you call 999 or go to A&E.

Simply dilute the gel in water alongside plenty of fluids

How to use ENTEROSGEL®

ENTEROSGEL® comes as a gel in a tube or sachet. It can be diluted in water, taken with plenty of fluids or, for children, mixed into an oral rehydration solution. The dosage instructions on the pack are easy to understand and to follow.

Leave at least two hours between ENTEROSGEL® and oral medicines, because it may affect the absorption of medicines taken by mouth. 

The tubes are available in 90g kids and 225g adults versions. But it is the same gel in both tubes, and a large tube can be used by the whole family. 

Safe diarrhoea treatment during pregnancy

If you are pregnant and have diarrhoea, the instinct to avoid all medication is completely understandable - and usually the right one. ENTEROSGEL® is different, and the reason comes back to its mechanism of action. Because it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and works entirely within the gut. For breastfeeding mothers, the same logic applies: it cannot pass into breast milk.

Enterosgel can be used safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding, where treatment options are often very limited. It is composed of a single organic mineral - polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate - and purified water. No drugs. No preservatives. No artificial ingredients. No allergens. For pregnant women dealing with diarrhoea from food poisoning, gastroenteritis or traveller’s sickness, ENTEROSGEL® offers something genuinely rare: an active treatment option that carries no systemic risk and no risk to the baby.

Other types and causes of acute diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can also be a result of food allergy or food intolerance, or a symptom of a chronic condition like diverticulitis, IBD, or side effect of radiotherapy. Enterosgel provides a drug-free option for managing diarrhoea, helping people to reduce dependence on anti-diarrhoeal medications like loperamide. 

The practical takeaway

ENTEROSGEL® is tasteless, drug-free, and easy to keep at home or pack for travel, and works in a way that makes sense: it binds and removes harmful substances from the gut that cause diarrhoea, rather than only replacing lost fluids or slowing the bowel down.

Although, it is not a promise that every tummy bug will vanish overnight, clinical evidence shows it can significantly reduce the duration of diarrhoea. Keep in your medicine cabinet as a just-in-case product for children’s tummy upsets, travel and IBS-D. It‘s a simple to use addition many families wish they had known about sooner. Now you know! 

Find ENTEROSGEL® at enterosgel.co.uk, Boots and Amazon - or ask your GP about a prescription.

What our Mumsnetters say

On our Talk board, parents often share practical advice for managing diarrhoea and tummy bugs at home, particularly around hydration, food triggers and knowing when to seek medical advice.

“Ice lollies are great at preventing dehydration,” one user shared. “Often they just drink the water too fast for poorly tummies to cope with.”

“Enterosgel - it’s amazing,” one user wrote in a forum thread. “My kids have the gel when they have an upset stomach and it works wonders.”

“Our little girl had terrible poos if she eats certain dairy products,” one parent wrote. “We couldn’t find a correlation with food until she went dairy free for three months.”

As always, persistent diarrhoea, severe pain, blood in stools, or signs of dehydration should be checked by a healthcare professional.

It’s suitable to use from birth

Frequently asked questions

How long does a tummy bug last?

Most tummy bugs in children last five to seven days, though some can clear up sooner. The key is to start treatment early - keeping your child well hydrated with fluids and oral rehydration solution, and starting ENTEROSGEL® with the first symptoms. 

Clinical evidence shows that ENTEROSGEL®, taken early, can significantly reduce the duration of diarrhoea - meaning your child may recover faster and be back to their normal self sooner. If diarrhoea persists beyond seven days, or you notice signs of dehydration, contact NHS 111 for advice.

Is ENTEROSGEL® the same as oral rehydration solution?

No. Oral rehydration solution replaces fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. ENTEROSGEL® is an oral intestinal adsorbent that works in the gut by binding harmful substances and removing them in the stool, thereby reducing diarrhoea. They can be used alongside each other, following the product instructions.

What is the difference between ENTEROSGEL® and probiotics?

Enterosgel is not a probiotic and not a supplement. It is an oral intestinal adsorbent, that physically removes bacterial toxins, excess bile acids, inflammatory chemicals, viruses, and other harmful molecules from the gut. It can be a first step in improving gut health before any probiotics or supplements, or can be taken as a supportive treatment alongside other products. 

Is ENTEROSGEL® safe for children and babies?

Yes, Enterosgel is safe for children, the leaflet includes dosing information for children, including babies. For children aged 0-3 years, it is recommended to consult a doctor before use. With any child, seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, prolonged, unusual or you are worried.

Is ENTEROSGEL® safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The product leaflet states that ENTEROSGEL® can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding and advises consulting a healthcare professional if you are unwell during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and concerned, speak to your midwife, GP or pharmacist.

Can it be taken with other medicines?

Leave at least two hours between ENTEROSGEL® and oral medicines, because it may affect their absorption. Do not use with modified-release oral medicines unless advised by a healthcare professional.

Is ENTEROSGEL proven to relieve IBS-D?

Yes. ENTEROSGEL® is indicated for patients medically diagnosed with IBS-D. A large UK placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that it is a safe and effective treatment for IBS-D symptoms and improves quality of life. Available at enterosgel.co.uk and on NHS prescription.

A note from Elena Markaryan, CEO and founder of Enteromed

“As a mother of three children, I had all sorts of funny tummy troubles, especially while travelling abroad. But I was lucky to discover ENTEROSGEL® back 20 years ago. Every time the kids would bring a school bug we would start ENTEROSGEL® on day one. 

“On holiday I would give it as a precaution, knowing that it is drug-free and can help quickly, gave me peace of mind and helped to focus on fun things,ENTEROSGEL® always worked for us. I always thought about ENTEROSGEL® as a gel for your gut. Just like washing your hands with the hand gel, this is a gentle “gut gel” that cleanses the gut from harmful irritants. 

“Now my kids are young adults and I know they take ENTEROSGEL® in case of tummy troubles, this helps avoid unnecessary use of medicines. I hope other families will feel as confident with ENTEROSGEL® and it will help them manage some digestive issues for the whole family with this brilliant drug-free product.”

About Enteromed

Enteromed was founded as a clinical research organisation with a single mission: to help people use fewer medications by providing safe, effective, drug-free alternatives. For over twelve years we have been supplying ENTEROSGEL® to UK pharmacies, health stores and hospitals, building an evidence base published in Gut, The Lancet and the BMJ, recognised through NHS Drug Tariff inclusion in 2023. Today we represent two brands - ENTEROSGEL® and DoctorGut - and we remain committed to the same founding principle: that safe, drug-free, clinically proven treatment should always come first.

Important: ENTEROSGEL® is a CE Class IIa certified medical device. Always read the label and follow the instructions for use. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving ENTEROSGEL® to a child under three, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist before use. If symptoms are severe or you are concerned, always seek medical advice. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.