Layered phyllosilicates are useful for adsorbing and/or binding to and, thereby, inactivating viruses. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of inactivating a virus in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian subject comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising a layered phyllosilicate material in an amount effective for virus inactivation. Also provided are methods of treating a viral infection in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian subject. Methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a mammalian subject and methods of inactivating a virus in waste expelled from a mammal are also provided.