Antibiotics used in specific causes of diarrhea in children Cause Antibiotic of choice Alternative

Cholera Tetracycline 12.5 mg/kg/dose Furazolidone 1.25 mg/kg/dose
four times a day for 3 days QID for 3 days

TMP-SMX
TMP 5 mg/kg/day. BID 3 days
Shigella dysentery TMP-SMX, TMP 5 mg/kg/day Nalidixic acid 15 mg/kg/QID
SMX 25 mg/kg/day Ampicillin 25 mg/kg/dose
BID for 5 days QID for 5 days
Amebiasis Metronidazole 10 mg/kg/dose Dehydroemetine deep IM 1-
TID for 5 days 1.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days
Giardiasis Metronidazole 5 mg/kg/dose TID Quinacrine 2.5 mg/kg/dose
for 5 days TID for 5 days.