Travellers’ Diarrhoea Treatment in Uttoxeter

Travelling abroad can be an incredible experience, but it’s not without risks. One of the most common health problems people face when visiting new destinations is travellers’ diarrhoea — a condition that can quickly ruin your trip. At Balance Pharmacy in Uttoxeter, we provide a specialist treatment service to help manage severe travellers’ diarrhoea when over-the-counter remedies and hydration alone are not enough.

Our service offers access to prescription-only treatment with azithromycin, supplied under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) by our trained pharmacists. This ensures you get safe, effective, and fast relief before or during your travels.

What is Travellers’ Diarrhoea?

Travellers’ diarrhoea is usually caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It’s most common in regions such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

  • Passing frequent loose or watery stools

  • Stomach cramps or abdominal pain

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever in some cases

While most cases improve within 3–5 days with rest and hydration, some people experience more severe or persistent symptoms that require medical treatment.

What is Travellers’ Diarrhoea?

Travellers’ diarrhoea is usually caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It’s most common in regions such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

  • Passing frequent loose or watery stools

  • Stomach cramps or abdominal pain

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever in some cases

While most cases improve within 3–5 days with rest and hydration, some people experience more severe or persistent symptoms that require medical treatment.

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists can supply treatment if you meet the inclusion criteria:

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults weighing over 45kg

  • Severe symptoms not resolved with oral rehydration or over-the-counter remedies

  • Symptoms such as:

    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Vomiting
    • Presence of blood or mucus in stools
    • Fever preventing normal activities

Exclusion Criteria

This service is not suitable for:

  • Children or adults under 45kg

  • Mild diarrhoea that improves within 3–5 days

  • Patients allergic to azithromycin, erythromycin, macrolides, or ketolide antibiotics

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women (unless benefits outweigh risks and after consultation)

  • Travellers going to regions where azithromycin resistance is known to be high

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists can supply treatment if you meet the inclusion criteria:

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults weighing over 45kg

  • Severe symptoms not resolved with oral rehydration or over-the-counter remedies

  • Symptoms such as:

    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Vomiting
    • Presence of blood or mucus in stools
    • Fever preventing normal activities

Exclusion Criteria

This service is not suitable for:

  • Children or adults under 45kg

  • Mild diarrhoea that improves within 3–5 days

  • Patients allergic to azithromycin, erythromycin, macrolides, or ketolide antibiotics

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women (unless benefits outweigh risks and after consultation)

  • Travellers going to regions where azithromycin resistance is known to be high

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Medicine: Azithromycin 500mg tablets

  • 500mg once daily for 3 days

  • Tablets should be taken at the same time each day, with water, with or without food

  • If 500mg tablets are unavailable, 6 x 250mg tablets may be dispensed

This short course is designed to quickly target the bacterial cause of diarrhoea, helping to reduce both severity and duration of symptoms.

Like all medicines, azithromycin can cause side effects. Common ones include: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, Abdominal discomfort, Headache or dizziness or Reduced appetite

Rare but serious side effects can occur, including allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, or liver problems. If you experience severe symptoms, stop the medicine and seek urgent medical help.

  • Take with caution if you have liver or kidney problems, heart conditions, or neurological disorders.

  • Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after azithromycin.

  • Some medicines interact with azithromycin (e.g., digoxin, colchicine, ciclosporin, or drugs that prolong QT interval). Always inform the pharmacist about any other medication you are taking.

  • Only use this medicine if necessary — it is not for mild or short-lasting diarrhoea.

This short course is designed to quickly target the bacterial cause of diarrhoea, helping to reduce both severity and duration of symptoms.

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Medicine: Azithromycin 500mg tablets

  • 500mg once daily for 3 days

  • Tablets should be taken at the same time each day, with water, with or without food

  • If 500mg tablets are unavailable, 6 x 250mg tablets may be dispensed

This short course is designed to quickly target the bacterial cause of diarrhoea, helping to reduce both severity and duration of symptoms.

Like all medicines, azithromycin can cause side effects. Common ones include: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, Abdominal discomfort, Headache or dizziness or Reduced appetite

Rare but serious side effects can occur, including allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, or liver problems. If you experience severe symptoms, stop the medicine and seek urgent medical help.

  • Take with caution if you have liver or kidney problems, heart conditions, or neurological disorders.

  • Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or 2 hours after azithromycin.

  • Some medicines interact with azithromycin (e.g., digoxin, colchicine, ciclosporin, or drugs that prolong QT interval). Always inform the pharmacist about any other medication you are taking.

  • Only use this medicine if necessary — it is not for mild or short-lasting diarrhoea.

This short course is designed to quickly target the bacterial cause of diarrhoea, helping to reduce both severity and duration of symptoms.

FAQs

Most people notice improvement within 24–48 hours of starting treatment. Continue the course for the full 3 days.

Yes, we can provide standby antibiotics for use if severe diarrhoea occurs abroad. This ensures you are prepared and can act quickly if symptoms develop.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, or if you develop blood in stools, severe dehydration, or ongoing fever, you should seek urgent medical attention.

No, this service is only for adults over 45kg.

Book Your Appointment

Don’t let illness ruin your travels. Visit Balance Pharmacy in Uttoxeter for expert advice and treatment to help keep your trip on track.

Book your appointment online today.

Book online now or call us on 01889 562063 to speak with a member of our pharmacy team.