Obtain instant standby antibiotics and receive destination-specific guidance from our qualified independent prescriber.
Standby Antibiotics
Choose a date, Monday to Friday. No referral or waiting list.
Pharmacist reviews your health and destination.
Same-day antibiotics with written instructions.
Pack it. Use only if severe symptoms develop.
The right antibiotic depends on destination, pathogens, and health history. Confirmed at your Appointment.
Preferred standby treatment for South and Southeast Asia, where fluoroquinolone-resistant strains are common. Also preferred for children and pregnant women whose antibiotic treatment is necessary. Effective against Campylobacter, frequently resistant to ciprofloxacin in Asian destinations.
Historically the most commonly used standby antibiotic. Effective against ETEC, Shigella and Salmonella where resistance is low. Fluoroquinolone is becoming less effective in South and Southeast Asia, with increasing resistance. Your pharmacist can advise on suitability for your specific destination.
A local-acting, non-absorbed antibiotic, effective against non-invasive ETEC with a favourable side-effect profile. Not suitable for dysentery or illness that has spread beyond the gut. Suitability confirmed at your appointment.
Best-suited destinations
Latin America, Middle East, Africa where resistance is lower
South Asia, Southeast Asia, Campylobacter-prevalent regions
North Africa, Middle East, Latin America for non-invasive ETEC
Duration of treatment
1 to 3 days depending on response
1 to 3 days depending on response
3 days
Key restrictions
High resistance in South and Southeast Asia. Caution in older patients re tendon risk.
Preferred in pregnancy and for children where treatment is needed
Not suitable for bloody diarrhoea or systemic illness
Pregnancy suitability
Generally avoided
May be appropriate with individual assessment
Not recommended
Immunocompromised patients
Reduced ability to fight infection: diarrhoeal illness can escalate rapidly and be harder to resolve
Elderly travellers
Faster progression to dehydration, particularly in hot climates and at higher ambient temperatures
Travellers with inflammatory bowel disease
Gastrointestinal infections can trigger severe flares requiring medical support to manage
Travellers with diabetes
Illness and dehydration can destabilise blood glucose management, particularly for insulin-dependent patients
Those on dehydration-sensitive medications
Drugs including lithium, methotrexate, and diuretics can reach toxic levels when fluid balance is disrupted
Travellers in remote areas
Distance from medical care makes self-treatment capability more critical and complications harder to manage
A standby antibiotic is your safety net when food hygiene fails. Both approaches work together.
Mandeep Sandhu is superintendent pharmacist and independent prescriber at Maidstone Travel Clinic with specialist travel health training from NaTHNaC. Mandeep Sandhu is a fully accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre vaccinator, qualified to advise, vaccinate and supply travel medications in one appointment.
Each consultation is personally led, not delegated, not rushed. Patients depart with a plan tailored to their individual trip, not a generic printout.
A standby antibiotic is supplied before travel and taken only if significant diarrhoeal symptoms develop abroad. It is not preventative; it is a treatment you use only when symptoms strike, with clear instructions on when to start.
Antibiotic choice depends on your destination and health background. Azithromycin is typically used for South and Southeast Asia, while Ciprofloxacin is better suited for Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Your pharmacist will select the appropriate treatment during your consultation.
Yes. Both are moderate-to-high-risk destinations for travellers’ diarrhoea. A standby antibiotic is a sensible precaution for most travellers, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Book a consultation and your pharmacist will advise based on your specific plans.
No. Standby antibiotics are only for severe symptoms. Unnecessary use promotes resistance, so only start the course if you experience the specific symptoms outlined by your pharmacist.
Loperamide can be used alongside antibiotics to reduce stool frequency while your antibiotic takes effect. It must not be used if you have bloody diarrhoea or a high fever; these are signs of an invasive infection where slowing gut motility can be harmful.
Seek medical attention if diarrhoea has not improved within 48 hours of starting your antibiotic. Seek immediate care if you develop blood in your stool, high fever, or severe dehydration at any point during your trip.
Same-day and next-day appointments are regularly available at our Maidstone Travel clinic. Book online now and leave with a complete self-treatment kit built around your specific destination.
