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Diarrhoea - prevention and advice for travellers - Management
Empirical azithromycin: children/adolescents and pregnant

Age from 6 months to 2 years 11 months
Azithromycin susp: child weighs < 15kg
Azithromycin 200mg/5ml oral suspension
*WEIGHT REQUIRED* Take 10mg per kg bodyweight ONCE a day for 3 days.
Supply 15 ml.
Age: from 6 months to 2 years 11 months
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Private prescription: yes
Patient information: To be taken when symptoms are moderate to severe (for example, bowel movements becoming very frequent, very watery, or contain blood) or if symptoms are lasting beyond 3 days. If the child is still unwell after 24 hours of starting treatment, the child should complete the 3-day course, but if the symptoms are much improved, there is no need to continue treatment. The suspension must be reconstituted using safe drinking water.
Age from 3 years to 7 years 11 months
Azithromycin susp: child weighs 15-25kg
Azithromycin 200mg/5ml oral suspension
Take one 5ml spoonful once a day for 3 days.
Supply 15 ml.
Age: from 3 years to 7 years 11 months
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Private prescription: yes
Patient information: To be taken when symptoms are moderate to severe (for example, bowel movements becoming very frequent, very watery, or contain blood) or if symptoms are lasting beyond 3 days. If the child is still unwell after 24 hours of starting treatment, the child should complete the 3-day course, but if the symptoms are much improved, there is no need to continue treatment. The suspension must be reconstituted using safe drinking water.
Age from 8 years to 11 years 11 months
Azithromycin susp: child weighs 26-35kg
Azithromycin 200mg/5ml oral suspension
Take 7.5ml once a day for 3 days.
Supply 22 ml.
Age: from 8 years to 11 years 11 months
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Private prescription: yes
Patient information: To be taken when symptoms are moderate to severe (for example, bowel movements becoming very frequent, very watery, or contain blood) or if symptoms are lasting beyond 3 days. If the child is still unwell after 24 hours of starting treatment, the child should complete the 3-day course, but if the symptoms are much improved, there is no need to continue treatment. The suspension must be reconstituted using safe drinking water.
Age from 12 years to 13 years 11 months
Azithromycin susp: child weighs 36-45kg
Azithromycin 200mg/5ml oral suspension
Take two 5ml spoonfuls once a day for 3 days.
Supply 30 ml.
Age: from 12 years to 13 years 11 months
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Private prescription: yes
Patient information: To be taken when symptoms are moderate to severe (for example, bowel movements becoming very frequent, very watery, or contain blood) or if symptoms are lasting beyond 3 days. If the child is still unwell after 24 hours of starting treatment, the child should complete the 3-day course, but if the symptoms are much improved, there is no need to continue treatment. The suspension must be reconstituted using safe drinking water.
Age from 14 years onwards
Azithromycin tabs: adults and children > 45kg
Azithromycin 500mg tablets
Take one tablet daily for 3 days.
Supply 3 tablets.
Age: from 14 years onwards
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Private prescription: yes
Patient information: To be taken when symptoms are moderate to severe (for example, bowel movements becoming very frequent, very watery, or contain blood) or if symptoms are lasting beyond 3 days. If you are still unwell after 24 hours of starting treatment, you should complete the 3-day course, but if your symptoms are much improved, there is no need to continue treatment.

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