Azithromycin

Description

Azithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections of the nose, throat, tonsils, ear, lungs, skin, eyes etc. It works by blocking the formation of proteins required for bacterial growth. Thus, it prevents further bacterial growth and multiplication. This medicine is only effective for bacterial infections and ineffective for viral or other infections. Azithromycin may cause some common side effects like stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, headache, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they become severe. Avoid activities like driving vehicles and operating machines as this medicine may make you feel dizzy. Azithromycin is available in many forms like tablets, capsules, injection, syrups, suspensions, gel, eye drops and eye ointment. When consumed orally, it can be taken with or without food, as prescribed by your doctor. Azithromycin injections are given in a hospital by a qualified healthcare professional. Azithromycin eye drops and eye ointments are administered in your eyes. Your dose will depend on the severity of your condition. Complete the whole treatment even if you feel better to avoid antibiotic resistance (when bacteria develop resistance to the antibiotics). Azithromycin is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about your current medication and conditions before starting the treatment. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Azithromycin

  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Painful urination
  • Excessive air or gas in stomach
  • Loss of appetite
  • Redness of the skin
  • Dizziness
  • Skin rash
  • Stomach pain
  • Pain at the injection site
  • Visual disturbances

Uses of Azithromycin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Community-Acquired Pneumonia
  • Acute bacterial otitis media
  • Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Acute bacterial sinusitis
  • Mycobacterium Avium Complex
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Gonococcal Urethritis and Cervicitis
  • Acne vulgaris
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Azithromycin onset of action varies depending on the dosage form it is taken.
  • Duration of effect
    Azithromycin may remain in your body for approximately 17 days.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Azithromycin.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Azithromycin is generally safe in pregnancy. However, it is still important to inform your doctor about your pregnancy before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Azithromycin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding. While breastfeeding it may cause diarrhoea, vomiting, or rash in your infant.

Allergy

Azithromycin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially in the face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.

Liver damage

Azithromycin is not recommended if you have cholestatic jaundice (a condition of reduced bile flow from the liver to the small intestine) or impaired liver function associated with prior use of this medicine. In such cases, intake of this medicine can cause further liver damage.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Azithromycin is generally safe in pregnancy. However, it is still important to inform your doctor about your pregnancy before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Azithromycin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding. While breastfeeding it may cause diarrhoea, vomiting, or rash in your infant.
General warnings

Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a skeletal muscle weakness condition characterized by severe weakness of any of the muscles under your voluntary control, including the arms and legs. Azithromycin is administered with caution if you have myasthenia gravis as it may worsen your condition.

Antibiotic resistance

Finish your entire course of treatment with Azithromycin, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.

Driving or operating machinery

Azithromycin may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness and hence do not perform any activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms.

Diarrhoea

Azithromycin can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody.

Antacids

If you are taking an antacid containing aluminium and magnesium salts for indigestion, it can increase the time taken for Azithromycin to act on your body. Because of this, it is recommended to take this antibiotic at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking antacids.

Missed Dose

Take/apply the missed dose of Azithromycin as soon as possible. If it is already time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect that you have taken an overdose of Azithromycin.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Amiodarone

Pimozide

Aluminium Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide

Digoxin

Theophylline

Warfarin

Atorvastatin

Disease interactions

QT Prolongation

Azithromycin should be used with caution if you have a heart problem as it may increase the risk of an irregular heartbeat and may cause a heart rhythm problem called QT Prolongation. Hence, consult your doctor if you have any heart conditions before initiating the therapy.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Azithromycin is uses for treating bacterial infections and is proven to be safe and effective. Oral forms: Take the medicine with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Injection: The medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital. Eye drops/Eye ointment: Use as directed by the doctor. Gel: Apply a thin layer over the affected skin and let it dry. Use it as directed by your doctor. Topical forms (eye/ear drops, gel) are for external use only. Avoid getting in contact with open wounds, mouth, nose etc. If your condition is not improving after a few days, consult your doctor.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Azithromycin works in two ways in our body: 1. It kills or stops the growth of bacteria. 2. It reduces swelling and infections.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Macrolides, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2020. Azithromycin: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697037.html>

Npra.gov.my. 2020. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

https://npra.gov.my/images/reg-and-noti/PI/scheduled-poison/AZITHROMYCIN-TAB-ORAL-SUSP.pdf>

Sunpharma.com. 2020. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

https://sunpharma.com/sites/default/files/Patient%20Insert%20-%20Azithromycin%20for%20Inj.pdf>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2020. Dailymed - AZITHROMYCIN- Azithromycin For Injection Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution Injection. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=679af699-714d-a3a3-674b-fc9ae4474a9a>

Labeling.pfizer.com. 2020. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 26 December 2020].

http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=511>

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Information on this page was last updated on 3 Nov 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.