Infections
Medicines for Diphtheria
A serious but now rare bacterial infection, prevented by routine vaccination — mainly a risk to unvaccinated people, and treatable with urgent antitoxin and antibiotics.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that, thanks to routine childhood vaccination, is now very rare in countries with good immunisation programmes, including the UK. It is caused by bacteria that can affect the throat and nose (respiratory diphtheria) or, sometimes, the skin (cutaneous diphtheria).
- How it is treated: Prevention through vaccination is the most important element, and is why diphtheria is now rare: the diphtheria vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule (given in combination with other vaccines) and provides strong protection, with boosters keeping immunity up; travellers to areas where diphtheria is more common may be advised to ensure their vaccination is up to date.
- Self-care: Being up to date with routine vaccination (which includes diphtheria) is the key protection, including boosters and ensuring travel vaccinations are current for higher-risk destinations.
- When to seek help: Seek urgent medical care for a severe sore throat with difficulty swallowing or breathing, a grey coating at the back of the throat, and feeling very unwell, particularly if unvaccinated or after travel to an area where diphtheria occurs.
What it is
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that, thanks to routine childhood vaccination, is now very rare in countries with good immunisation programmes, including the UK. It is caused by bacteria that can affect the throat and nose (respiratory diphtheria) or, sometimes, the skin (cutaneous diphtheria). In respiratory diphtheria, the bacteria produce a toxin that damages tissues and can form a thick grey coating (membrane) at the back of the throat, which can make breathing and swallowing difficult and, in severe cases, block the airway; the toxin can also spread through the body and damage the heart, nerves and other organs, which is what makes diphtheria dangerous. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, swollen neck glands, and, in the respiratory form, the characteristic throat membrane. It spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact, and mainly poses a risk to people who are not vaccinated. Because it can be life-threatening, but is preventable by vaccination and treatable when caught early, diphtheria is taken very seriously, and vaccination is the key protection.
How it is treated
Prevention through vaccination is the most important element, and is why diphtheria is now rare: the diphtheria vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule (given in combination with other vaccines) and provides strong protection, with boosters keeping immunity up; travellers to areas where diphtheria is more common may be advised to ensure their vaccination is up to date. If diphtheria does occur, it is a medical emergency needing urgent hospital treatment. Treatment involves giving diphtheria antitoxin (to neutralise the toxin) promptly, as early treatment is crucial before the toxin causes damage, along with antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and supportive care — including protecting the airway (which can be threatened by the throat membrane) and monitoring and treating any effects on the heart and other organs. The person is isolated to prevent spread, and close contacts are assessed, given preventive treatment (antibiotics and vaccination) as needed, and monitored, as part of public-health control. The reassuring message is that diphtheria is now rare because of vaccination, which is the key protection, and that, when it does occur, urgent treatment with antitoxin and antibiotics is effective, especially when started early.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Diphtheria
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Being up to date with routine vaccination (which includes diphtheria) is the key protection, including boosters and ensuring travel vaccinations are current for higher-risk destinations. Good respiratory hygiene reduces spread. Diphtheria itself is a medical emergency needing hospital treatment.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent medical care for a severe sore throat with difficulty swallowing or breathing, a grey coating at the back of the throat, and feeling very unwell, particularly if unvaccinated or after travel to an area where diphtheria occurs. Ensure routine and travel vaccinations are up to date.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Diphtheria: frequently asked questions
Is diphtheria still a risk?
It is now very rare in countries with good vaccination programmes, thanks to routine immunisation. It mainly poses a risk to people who are not vaccinated, and can occur in areas where vaccination coverage is lower — which is why keeping vaccination up to date is the key protection.
How is diphtheria treated?
It is a medical emergency treated urgently in hospital with diphtheria antitoxin (to neutralise the toxin, given early), antibiotics, and supportive care including protecting the airway and monitoring the heart. Close contacts are assessed and given preventive treatment.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Diphtheria
- UKHSA guidance
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