Azithromycin is used to treat many different kinds of bacterial infections , including bronchitis and pneumonia. The antibiotics amoxicillin or penicillin are most often used for this condition. That said, azithromycin or Z-Pack may be used to treat strep throat in certain cases. You can easily spread a strep throat infection through direct contact with mucus from your nose or throat, such as by coughing or sneezing. You can also spread it by drinking from the same glass as someone else or sharing a plate of food with them.
If your doctor thinks azithromycin is a good choice for you, they may prescribe a generic version of azithromycin or a Z-Pack.
Each Z-Pack contains six milligram mg tablets of Zithromax. You would take two tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet daily for four days. A Z-Pack typically takes at least five days to fully work, but it can start to relieve your sore throat and other symptoms on the first day you take it. If your doctor prescribes a generic version of azithromycin, your treatment may only last three days.
Be sure to take your Z-Pack or generic azithromycin exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you stop taking an antibiotic early, it could make the infection come back or make future infections more difficult to treat. As with any medication, azithromycin can cause side effects.
Some of the more common side effects include:. Less common and more serious side effects can also occur when taking azithromycin. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:. If you have strep throat, your doctor will prescribe the antibiotic they think is most appropriate for you. In most cases, this would be penicillin or amoxicillin. However, some people are prescribed a Z-Pack or generic azithromycin. If you have further questions about either medication, be sure to ask your doctor.
It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of azithromycin to treat sinusitis in children or to treat pneumonia in children younger than 6 months of age.
Safety and efficacy have not been established in these age groups. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of azithromycin oral suspension and tablets to treat pharyngitis or tonsillitis in children younger than 2 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of azithromycin in the elderly.
However, elderly patients are more likely to have heart rhythm problems eg, torsades de pointes which may require caution in patients receiving azithromycin. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding.
Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases.
If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.
Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:.
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. The most common side effects of azithromycin are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, headaches, or changes to your sense of taste.
Azithromycin is also called by the brand name Zithromax. Azithromycin can be taken by adults and children. To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: had an allergic reaction to azithromycin or any other medicines in the past liver or kidney problems heart problems, including irregular heartbeats arrhythmia had diarrhoea when you have taken antibiotics before myasthenia gravis - azithromycin can worsen the symptoms of this muscle-weakening illness diabetes - azithromycin liquid contains sugar.
Important Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better. How to take it If your doctor has prescribed azithromycin capsules, you should take them at least 1 hour before food or 2 hours after eating. Swallow tablets and capsules whole with a glass of water. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects of azithromycin happen in more than 1 in people.
Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: feeling sick nausea diarrhoea or being sick vomiting losing your appetite headaches feeling dizzy or tired changes to your sense of taste Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Call a doctor straight away if you get: chest pains or a faster or irregular heartbeat yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or pale poo with dark pee - these can be signs of liver or gallbladder problems ringing in your ears tinnitus , temporary hearing loss, or you feel unsteady on your feet vertigo severe pain in your stomach or back - these can be warning signs of inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis diarrhoea perhaps with muscle cramps that contains blood or mucus - if you have severe diarrhoea without blood or mucus for more than 4 days you should also speak to a doctor Serious allergic reaction In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to azithromycin.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sick nausea - stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while you're taking this medicine. Take small, frquent sips if you're being sick. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If it helps, eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack when you're hungry. Have nutritious snacks that are high in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller if you need one. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so you don't faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy or tired. Do not drink alcohol as it may make you feel worse.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. There are some medicines that do not mix well with azithromycin. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start azithromycin: antacids for indigestion ergotamine or dihydroergotamine - for migraine warfarin - to thin blood or prevent blood clots ciclosporin or tacrolimus - medicines to stop your immune system overreacting colchicine for gout digoxin for some heart problems rifabutin - an antibiotic nelfinavir - a medicine for HIV a statin medicine to lower your cholesterol - such as simvastatin and atorvastatin You should also let your doctor know if you're taking any medicines for an irregular heartbeat arrhythmia , such as amiodarone or sotalol.
These can include: antidepressants - such as citalopram antipsychotics - used to treat severe mental health problems some antisickness medicines - such as domperidone some antibiotics - such as moxifloxacin Check the leaflets that come with your medicines and talk to a pharmacist or your doctor if you have any worries. Mixing azithromycin with herbal remedies and supplements There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies or supplements alongside azithromycin.
Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does azithromycin work? How does azithromycin compare with other antibiotics? When will I feel better? For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. What if I don't get better?
Can I drink alcohol with it? Yes, you can drink alcohol with azithromycin. Will it give me thrush? Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if this happens to you.
Will it stop my contraception working? Will it reduce my fertility? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
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