Pharmacy help for diarrhoea or suspected food poisoning in the UK
Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026
Читать на русскомPrevent dehydration first
With diarrhoea or vomiting, assess whether you can drink and how unwell you feel. A pharmacist may recommend oral rehydration salts, a powder mixed with water to replace fluid and salts. Follow the instructions for the actual product. NHS guidance ↗ covers home care and deterioration.
Do not diagnose food poisoning solely from the timing of your last meal. Infection, medicines and other conditions can cause symptoms; this matters if the illness continues.
Discussing pharmacy products
Give the person's age, symptom duration, vomiting frequency, any blood, temperature and existing conditions. If you need brief relief from diarrhoea, a pharmacist can assess whether loperamide is appropriate. The NHS advises against medicines that stop diarrhoea for children under 12.
Do not give a child a smaller amount of an adult product without professional advice. Pregnancy, a weakened immune system and current medicines also affect the choice. Ordinary purchases are paid at the pharmacy's price; compare ingredients and purpose rather than the number of claims on the box.
When to call 111
Seek urgent advice if fluids cannot be kept down, there is bloody diarrhoea, dehydration persists after rehydration solution, diarrhoea lasts over 7 days or vomiting over 2 days. Younger children need earlier attention: fewer wet nappies or stopping feeds are warning signs.
In England, 111 ↗ can direct you to a service. For a child under 5, call rather than using the online questionnaire.
Emergencies and returning to normal activities
Vomiting blood, sudden severe abdominal pain, confusion or severe breathing difficulty require 999 or A&E. Do not first try to suppress symptoms with an over-the-counter medicine.
After infectious diarrhoea or vomiting, the NHS recommends staying away from school or work for at least 48 hours after the last episode. Wash hands with soap and water and avoid preparing food for others while ill. Keep medicine names and symptom dates for any follow-up consultation.