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Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Azithromycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use azithromycin if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems when you have previously taken this medicine.
You should not use azithromycin if you are allergic to it, or if:
you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking azithromycin; or
you are allergic to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.
To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
kidney disease;
myasthenia gravis;
a heart rhythm disorder;
low levels of potassium in your blood; or
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).
This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take azithromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. The dose and length of treatment may not be the same for every type of infection.
You may take most forms of azithromycin with or without food.
Take Zmax extended release liquid (oral suspension) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
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. To make sure you get the entire dose, add 2 more ounces of water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
Throw away any mixed Zmax oral suspension (extended release formulation) that has not been used within 12 hours. Throw away any immediate-release suspension that has not been used within 10 days.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or after you take azithromycin. This includes Acid Gone, Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Genaton, Maalox, Maldroxal, Milk of Magnesia, Mintox, Mylagen, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, 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 bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Azithromycin can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Avoid other drugs that can cause QT prolongation or irregular heart rhythm.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to azithromycin: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using azithromycin.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or
liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Call your doctor right away if a baby taking azithromycin becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.
Common azithromycin side effects may include:
diarrhea;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or
headache.
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.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
digoxin; or
clarithromycin; or
a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with azithromycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use azithromycin only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Azithromycin (www.drugs.com/azithromycin.html).
Commonly reported side effects of azithromycin include: diarrhea, loose stools, and nausea. Other side effects include: abdominal pain, and vomiting. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to azithromycin: oral powder for suspension, oral powder for suspension extended release, oral tablet
Other dosage forms:
Along with its needed effects, azithromycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking azithromycin:
More common
Less common
Rare
Incidence not known
Some side effects of azithromycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
Incidence not known
Applies to azithromycin: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral powder for reconstitution extended release, oral tablet
The most commonly reported side effects include diarrhea/loose stools, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 52.8%), nausea (up to 32.6%), abdominal pain (up to 32.2%), loose stools (up to 19.1%), flatulence (up to 10.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, dyspepsia, stomatitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, oral candidiasis, constipation, dysphagia/oral dysphagia, abdominal distension, dry mouth, eructation, mouth ulceration, salivary hypersecretion
Frequency not reported: Pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis, tongue discoloration, melena, enteritis, abnormal stools, gastrointestinal disorder
Postmarketing reports: Pyloric stenosis
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased lymphocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin, or neutrophil count, increased eosinophil count, increased platelets, hematocrit, lymphocytes, basophils, monocytes, or neutrophils
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leukopenia, neutropenia/mild neutropenia, eosinophilia
Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia, anemia/hemolytic anemia, decreased platelets
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, paresthesia, dysgeusia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, hypesthesia
Frequency not reported: Syncope, convulsion, anosmia, ageusia, parosmia, vertigo, myasthenia gravis, taste perversion, hyperkinesia
Postmarketing reports: Hyperactivity
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain, infection, edema, reactions or inflammation
Common (1% to 10%): Deafness, fatigue
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Candidiasis, ear disorder, asthenia, malaise, face edema, pyrexia, pain, post procedural complications, hearing disturbances/impairment, tinnitus, laboratory abnormalities, fungal or bacterial infection
Frequency not reported: Psychomotor hyperactivity, mucositis, fever, chills, otitis media
Postmarketing reports: Hearing loss, taste/smell perversion and/or loss
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Photosensitivity reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria, dermatitis, dry skin, hyperhidrosis, eczema
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug reaction of eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Frequency not reported: toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, fungal dermatitis, sweating, vesiculobullous rash, maculopapular rash
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased blood bicarbonate, anorexia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal sodium, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, bicarbonate, or chloride
Frequency not reported: Increased lactate dehydrogenase, decreased sodium or potassium
Postmarketing reports: Dehydration
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia, pharyngitis, rhinitis, respiratory disorder, epistaxis
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, pleural effusion, asthma, bronchitis
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Osteoarthritis, myalgia, back pain, neck pain
Frequency not reported: Increased creatine phosphokinase
Common (1% to 10%): Vaginitis/vaginal infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, metrorrhagia, testicular disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioedema, hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction/anaphylaxis
Postmarketing reports: Fatal anaphylaxis
Common (1% to 10%): Visual impairment
Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, increased AST, ALT, GGT, or blood bilirubin
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function tests, cholestatic jaundice
Frequency not reported: Hepatic failure/fatal hepatic failure, fulminant hepatitis, hepatic necrosis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, hot flush, edema, chest pain, peripheral edema
Frequency not reported: Torsades de pointes, arrhythmia, ECG QT prolonged, hypotension, ventricular tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness, insomnia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agitation
Frequency not reported: Aggression/aggressive reaction, anxiety, delirium, hallucination, emotional lability, irritability, hostility
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal pain, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis/nephritis
Frequency not reported: Moniliasis, flu syndrome
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Azithromycin (www.drugs.com/azithromycin.html).
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