Azithromycin
INFORMATION ABOUT AZITHROMYCIN
Azithromycin Uses
Azithromycin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is used in bacterial infections of tonsils, sinus, ear, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues and lungs (pneumonia).
How Azithromycin works
Azithromycin is an antibiotic. It works by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Thus, it stops the bacteria from growing, and prevents the infection from spreading.
Common side effects of Azithromycin
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common
Nausea, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea
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Last updated
13 Jun 2023 | 11:29 AM (UTC)
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Medicine brands for Azithromycin
Expert advice for Azithromycin
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat.
 - Take it 1 hour before or two hours after food.
 - Do not take antacids 2 hours before or after taking Azithromycin.
 - Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
 - Stop taking Azithromycin and inform your doctor immediately if you develop an itchy rash, swelling of the face, throat or tongue or breathing difficulties while taking it.
 
Frequently asked questions for Azithromycin
Azithromycin is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.
You should inform your doctor if you do not notice any improvement in your symptoms after 3 days of taking Azithromycin. Also, if your symptoms get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Yes, the use of Azithromycin can cause diarrhea. It is an antibiotic which kills the harmful bacteria. However, it also affects the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and causes diarrhea. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea, talk to your doctor about it.
Azithromycin is usually prescribed once daily. You can take it at any time of the day, but remember to take it at the same time each day. The medicine should be taken 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after eating food. You can take the tablet preparation with or without food. However, you must take Azithromycin exactly as advised by your doctor and ask your doctor if you have any doubts.
Usually, Azithromycin starts working soon after taking it. However, it may take some days to kill all the harmful bacteria and make you feel better. 
The duration of treatment depends on the type of infection being treated and the age of the patient. Azithromycin is not necessarily given for 3 days. In most bacterial infections, a single dose of 500 mg is given for 3 days. Alternatively, it can be given as 500 mg once on day 1 and then 250 mg once from day 2 to day 5. In some cases of infection such as genital ulcer disease, it is given as a single 1 gram dose. Therefore, you must stick to the regimen advised by your doctor.
Generally, it is recommended that patients taking Azithromycin should avoid taking any antacid with this medicine as this can affect the overall effectiveness of Azithromycin. It is also recommended to avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds as Azithromycin increases the risk of sunburn.
Azithromycin is an effective antibiotic that is used for the treatment of many bacterial infections. Compared to other antibiotics, Azithromycin has a longer half-life which means that it stays in the body for a long time because of which it is given once a day and for a short span of time. Other antibiotics comparatively have a shorter half-life and are usually given twice, thrice, or four times a day.
Some people may get a fungal or yeast infection known as thrush after taking Azithromycin. Antibiotics such as Azithromycin can kill the normal or ‘good bacteria’ of your intestine responsible for preventing thrush. You should inform your doctor if you get a sore or vaginal itching or discharge. Also, inform your doctor if you get a white patch in the mouth or tongue after taking Azithromycin or soon after stopping it.