Azithromycin/a>
Trade Name:
Zithromax
Type of Drug:
Azithromycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria as well as staphylococcal (“staph”) infections.
How Drug Works:
Azithromycin prevents bacteria from making the proteins needed for continued growth. This makes the bacteria die.
How Drug Is Given:
Azithromycin is given as a pill by mouth on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. The dose is the same for all adults, starting with 2 tablets on the first day, then 1 tablet each day for the next 4 days. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container and out of the reach of children and pets. Azithromycin can also be given as a shot into a vein, over 1 to 3 hours.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially to antibiotics such as erythromycin.
Taking antibiotics can change the normal organisms in your body. Women are at risk for fungal infections. Tell your nurse or doctor if you develop vaginal itching or discharge.
Antacids can decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotic. If you take antacids, take the antibiotic pill at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after an antacid.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
• Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
• Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
• They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
Less Common Side Effects
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
Rare Side Effects
  • Diarrhea related to infection of the intestinal lining (pseudomembranous colitis)
  • Inflammation of the kidneys
  • Joint pain
  • Serious allergic reaction including fever, chills, rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face or lips
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Itching
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you get diarrhea that does not stop, stomach cramping, and blood in your stool.

Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, fever, chills, hives, and swelling in your lips or face. This can be serious.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes