Azithromycin

Medical information

Written and reviewed by a team of doctors. Dr Fox is regulated by the CQC, GPhC, & MHRA.

Recommended reading: background information on travellers' diarrhoea and NHS Fit for Travel travellers' diarrhoea information.

Travellers most likely to benefit from antibiotics:

• Going to remote rural areas distant from medical help.
• With pre-existing bowel problems such as inflammatory bowel disease where infection may trigger a relapse e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, and previous bowel surgery.
• with pre-existing medical conditions which may be worsened by severe infection or dehydration, e.g. poorly controlled diabetes, renal impairment, heart failure, HIV, and reduced immunity.
• With a tendency to severe travellers' diarrhoea (on the basis of previous travel experience) or taking immunosuppressive treatment.

Azithromycin antibiotic

Azithromycin is effective in reducing the symptoms of travellers' diarrhoea, particularly if taken with Loperamide. The symptoms of traveller's diarrhoea should improve within 24 hours of starting antibiotic.

In addition the anti-sickness tablet Avomine can be taken to reduce fluid loss and discomfort. Avomine should not be taken at the same time as azithromycin.

Dosage

Treatment with Azithromycin is a single dose of 4 tablets taken together at one time. Take the dose as soon as you get diarrhoea, not before. It is not a preventative.

Side effects

If there are any side effects the most common are stomach upset, nausea and diarrhoea. For details see the patient information leaflet supplied with the tablets.

Seeking help

Symptoms should start to improve within 24 hours of starting azithromycin. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms are not improving after 2 or 3 days, or are worsening, or if any of the following occur:

• Profuse diarrhoea and vomiting lead to dehydration
• Blood and green or yellow slime in the motions with severe abdominal pains
• Diarrhoea associated with rashes
• High fever and headache with diarrhoea (particularly in malaria areas)

Treating diarrhoea

• The antidiarrhoeal Loperamide and anti-sickness tablets also reduce symptoms.
• Try to get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if vomiting (at least 3-4 litres/day)
• Continue to eat simple foods such as rice and dried bread, appetite permitting
• Pay attention to personal hygiene, to prevent spread

Azithromycin 250mg Patient Leaflet

Antibiotic guardianship

To combat antibiotic resistance please:

• Only use antibiotics when needed
• Never share antibiotics
• Always complete course as instructed
• Take unused medicine to local pharmacy for disposal

Authored 22 March 2010 by Dr Tony Steele
Last updated 16 June 2020

Reviewed by Dr B. Babor, Dr A. Wood, Dr P. Hunt
Last reviewed 07 February 2019