What is azithromycin?
Azithromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Azithromycin fights bacteria in
the body.
Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as
respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Azithromycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking azithromycin?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to azithromycin or
similar drugs such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin
(Ketek), or troleandomycin (Tao).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take azithromycin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. The dose and length of treatment
with azithromycin may not be the same for every type of infection.
Take each tablet or capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
To use the
oral suspension
single dose packet: Open the packet and pour
the medicine into 2 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. Do not save for
later use. Throw away any mixed oral suspension that has not been used within 12 hours.
To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and
drink right away.
Azithromycin
capsules
must be taken on an empty stomach. Take the
capsule at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal.
Azithromycin
tablets
or
powder oral suspension
may
be taken with or without food. Take the tablet or oral suspension with food if the medicine upsets your
stomach.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get
the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Azithromycin will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any
unused liquid medicine after 10 days.
What happens if I miss a dose of azithromycin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about azithromycin?
Your pharmacist has information about azithromycin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of azithromycin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
-
chest pain, uneven heartbeats;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain;
-
dizziness, tired feeling, or headache;
-
nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia);
-
vaginal itching or discharge;
-
mild itching or skin rash;
-
ringing in your ears, problems with hearing; or
-
decreased sense of taste or smell.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about azithromycin?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to azithromycin or
similar drugs such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin
(Ketek), or troleandomycin (Tao).
There are many other medicines that can interact with azithromycin.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new
medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this
list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Azithromycin will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
Take azithromycin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or after you
take azithromycin. This includes Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and
others. These antacids can make azithromycin less effective when taken at the same time.
What should I avoid while taking azithromycin?
Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or after you
take azithromycin. This includes Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and
others. These antacids can make azithromycin less effective when taken at the same time.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the
diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Azithromycin
can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF
15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
What other drugs will affect azithromycin?
Many drugs can interact with azithromycin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you
are using:
-
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
-
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
pimozide (Orap);
-
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron);
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
another antibiotic, especially clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S, Ery-Tab);
-
a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cartia XT,
Diltiazem, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
nimodipine (Nimotop), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS);
-
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin
(Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or simvastatin (Zocor);
-
ergot medicine such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine
(Ergostat, Medihaler, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E.,
Migranal Nasal Spray);
-
HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir
(Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase); or
There are many other medicines that can interact with
azithromycin.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do
not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines
you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of azithromycin?