Pronunciation: ay-ZITH-roe-MYE-sin
Generic Name: Azithromycin
Brand Name: Zithromax
Azithromycin is used for:
Treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used alone or with other medicines to treat or prevent certain infections in persons with advanced HIV infection. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It slows the growth of, or sometimes kills, sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Do NOT use Azithromycin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Azithromycin, to other macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), or to ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin)
- you have a history of liver problems or yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by any doseform (eg, tablets, suspension, injection) of Azithromycin
- you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, dronedarone, nilotinib, pimozide, propafenone, or tetrabenazine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Azithromycin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Azithromycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have liver or kidney problems, myasthenia gravis, or abnormal heart rhythms
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Azithromycin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Antiarrhythmics (eg, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, propafenone), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, cisapride, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, histone deacetylase inhibitors (eg, romidepsin), lithium, maprotiline, methadone, paliperidone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, levofloxacin), terfenadine, tetrabenazine, toremifene, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), vandetanib, or ziprasidone because the risk of heart problems, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
- Nelfinavir because it may increase the risk of Azithromycin's side effects
- Rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Azithromycin or they may decrease Azithromycin's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin, ergot derivatives (eg, ergotamine), nilotinib, phenytoin, theophylline, triazolam, or tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors (eg, dasatinib) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Azithromycin
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Azithromycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Azithromycin:
Use Azithromycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Azithromycin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Do not take an antacid that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Azithromycin.
- Azithromycin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
- To clear up your infection completely, use Azithromycin for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Azithromycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Azithromycin.
Important safety information:
- Azithromycin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Azithromycin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Azithromycin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Azithromycin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody or watery stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Azithromycin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported with the use of Azithromycin. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; unusual itching). Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Long-term or repeated use of Azithromycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
- Be sure to use Azithromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Azithromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Azithromycin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Azithromycin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Azithromycin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Azithromycin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Azithromycin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea or loose stools; headache; mild stomach pain; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness; wheezing); bloody or watery stools; changes in hearing or hearing loss; chest pain; eye or vision problems; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; pounding in the chest; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizure; severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach cramps or pain; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; unusual itching); trouble speaking or swallowing; unusual vaginal itching, odor, or discharge.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.
Proper storage of Azithromycin:
Store Azithromycin below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Azithromycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Azithromycin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Azithromycin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. Do not use Azithromycin for other health conditions.
- If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Azithromycin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Azithromycin resources
- Azithromycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Azithromycin Drug Interactions
- Azithromycin Support Group
- 105 Reviews for Azithromycin - Add your own review/rating
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