Halazone

Indications

Halazone tablets are used to make drinking water safer when clean water is not available, for example during floods, travel, camping or emergencies. They kill most harmful bacteria and viruses in water that can cause diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. The tablets are added to water; they are not swallowed.

How It Works

Halazone slowly releases chlorine when dissolved in water. The chlorine kills germs in the water, making it safer to drink after a waiting time.

Dosage and Administration

• Follow the instructions on the pack, which state how much water each tablet treats. Commonly, one tablet is used for each litre of clear water, and two tablets for cloudy or very dirty water.
• If the water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth first.
• Drop the tablet into the water in a clean, covered container, shake or stir, and wait at least 30 minutes (longer if the water is cold) before drinking.
• A slight chlorine smell after waiting shows the water has been treated.
• Never swallow the tablets directly.

Interactions

No interactions with medicines are expected, because the tablets are not taken by mouth. Do not mix them with other water-cleaning chemicals unless the instructions say so.

Contraindications

• Must not be swallowed whole or chewed.
• People who are allergic to chlorine-releasing products should use another method, such as boiling.

Side Effects

Treated water may taste or smell slightly of chlorine; letting it stand uncovered for a short time after the waiting period can reduce this. Mild stomach upset is uncommon.

Get urgent medical help if a tablet is swallowed directly, especially by a child, or if there is burning in the mouth or throat, repeated vomiting, drooling or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Water properly treated with halazone is considered safe to drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For mixing infant formula, boiled and cooled water is preferred when possible.

Precautions and Warnings

• It does not remove chemicals such as arsenic, iron, salt or pesticides, and it may not kill some parasites; boiling is more reliable when possible.
• Expired or damp tablets lose strength; use tablets within their expiry date.
• Store treated water in a clean, covered container and use it within a day.
• Keep the tablets away from children, who may mistake them for sweets.

Overdose

Using too many tablets makes the water taste strongly of chlorine and may upset the stomach; dilute with more treated water or prepare a fresh batch. If tablets are swallowed directly, rinse the mouth, give a few sips of water or milk, do not try to make the person vomit, and seek medical help straight away with the pack.

Therapeutic Class

Water disinfectant (chlorine-releasing agent).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Keep the container tightly closed, as moisture weakens the tablets.