So, not to get too graphic, but last week I got a pretty severe case of food poisoning and spent the better part of 3 days in the bathroom. I went to a couple different Farmacitys to see if they had any Pepto Bismol or any other similar medicine for upset stomach and diarrhea. To my amazement and disappointment there was an entire wall of laxatives (there must have been 50 different brands) but not a single anti-diarrheal medicine. I asked the pharmacist and they told me to go to the front to pick up "pastillas de carbon". Almost impossible to find between the stands of gum was a tiny case that housed little black pills. It can't be true that the only way to treat upset stomach in Argentina is to take the equivalent of a couple worthless lumps of charcoal. Can it???
The pastillas de carbon of course did nothing for me and I had to ride out the storm. I've done a fair amount of world travel in my life and I have never had any difficulty finding the pink stuff (or it's equivalent) when I get the runs.
My question are: 1) does anyone know a medicine sold here in BA for upset stomach? I would like something on hand in case I eat something bad again. Maybe I just didnt ask for the right thing, or go to the right place, but I was shocked at the lack of options.
2) How can the country be so preoccupied about constipation that it could warrant a whole wall of laxative options but only a single pathetic and inadequate antidiarrheal. I cant imagine the large beef consumption and resulting constipation alone could explain this disparity.
Can someone give me any insight into this? Thanks!
The pastillas de carbon of course did nothing for me and I had to ride out the storm. I've done a fair amount of world travel in my life and I have never had any difficulty finding the pink stuff (or it's equivalent) when I get the runs.
My question are: 1) does anyone know a medicine sold here in BA for upset stomach? I would like something on hand in case I eat something bad again. Maybe I just didnt ask for the right thing, or go to the right place, but I was shocked at the lack of options.
2) How can the country be so preoccupied about constipation that it could warrant a whole wall of laxative options but only a single pathetic and inadequate antidiarrheal. I cant imagine the large beef consumption and resulting constipation alone could explain this disparity.
Can someone give me any insight into this? Thanks!