Azithromycin

Brand Names

Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack, Zithromax, Zithromax TRI-PAK, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax, Zithromax IV

What is Azithromycin

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an antibiotic medicine that belongs to a class of antibiotics called macrolides. It is effective in the treatment of common infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and infections of the ears, lungs, skin and throat. It is available with a prescription. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Side effects of Azithromycin

The common side effects of Azithromycin are:

• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• mild skin rash

If any of these side effects occur, you should stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible:

• severe skin rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• hoarseness
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• rapid, pounding or irregular heartbeat

Indication

This medicine is to treat the following conditions:

Bacterial infection such as:

• Respiratory infections including bronchitis
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Sinus infections (sinusitis)
• Pneumonia
• Throat infections (tonsillitis/pharyngitis)
• Skin infections (cellulitis, folliculitis or impetigo)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Chancroid

Precautions

You should inform your doctor before taking azithromycin if you:

• Have liver disease or failure
• Have kidney disease or failure
• Have any heart problems
• Have myasthenia gravis
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Have any allergies to medications
• Will be having any surgery

Dosage forms

Dose of Azithromycin for Bacterial Infections

The recommended dosage for most types of common bacterial infections is 250 mg or 500 mg once daily for 3-5 days. If you have chronic or more serious infections, your doctor may continue azithromycin treatment for an extended period of time.

In children, the dosing can range (depending on body weight) from 5-20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), once daily for 3-5 days.

Dose of Azithromycin for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The recommended dosage of azithromycin for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is 1 gram (1000 mg)-2 grams (2000 mg) given one time only