What should you know about OTC medicine for food poisoning?

Food poisoning can irritate the stomach and bowel, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and sometimes fever. Losing fluid through vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, with thirst, a dry mouth, dark urine, weakness or dizziness. OTC products may reduce a symptom without treating the infection or toxin behind it. Anti-diarrhoeal medicine may be unsuitable when there is fever or blood in the stool, and anti-vomiting medicine can mask worsening illness or cause drowsiness. Children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with kidney disease need individual advice before taking a product.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution; this replaces water and salts more effectively than relying on sugary drinks alone. When vomiting settles, try small portions of bland food and return gradually to your usual meals. Follow the label for any medicine, avoid combining products with the same ingredient, and ask a pharmacist about interactions with regular medicines. Do not take leftover antibiotics. Read about Oral Rehydration Therapy if fluid loss is your main concern; severe dehydration may require IV Fluid Therapy.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or a high or persistent fever. Arrange a clinical assessment if symptoms are not settling, diarrhoea is prolonged, or you are managing a long-term illness. Symptoms such as Abdominal Pain, Diarrhoea, Fever, Nausea and Vomiting can help describe what is happening, but they do not identify the cause by themselves.

Which OTC product is appropriate for my symptoms and regular medicines? Should I avoid anti-diarrhoeal or anti-vomiting medicine? What signs of dehydration should prompt an assessment?