About azithromycin
Macrolide antibiotic
Used for
- Treats certain bacterial infections, including ear, throat, chest, and skin infections.
- Treats some sexually transmitted infections.
- Does not treat colds, flu, or other viral infections.
Usual adult dose
Varies by infection; commonly 500 mg once daily for 3 days, or 500 mg on day one then 250 mg daily for 4 days.
Usual dose in children
Varies by infection and weight; commonly 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days, or 10 mg/kg on day one then 5 mg/kg daily for 4 days.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Rash
Important warnings
- Can rarely cause serious allergic reactions or severe skin reactions.
- May affect heart rhythm, especially with existing rhythm problems or certain medicines.
- Rarely causes liver injury; seek urgent care for yellow skin or dark urine.
- Use only for bacterial infections and as prescribed.
Pregnancy
May be used when needed, but choice depends on the infection and available alternatives.
Breastfeeding
Generally considered compatible; small amounts pass into breast milk and infant diarrhea or rash can occur.
Interactions
- Warfarin: may increase bleeding risk; monitoring may be needed.
- Some heart-rhythm medicines: increased risk of abnormal rhythm.
- Aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids can reduce absorption if taken together.
- Digoxin: azithromycin may increase digoxin levels.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.