Azithromycin
Also sold as: Zithromax, Azomax
Prescription neededMacrolides
Comes as:TabletCapsuleSuspension
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 500 mg once a day for 3 days, or 500 mg on day 1 then 250 mg a day for 4 more days. Children: dose by weight — ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- stomach pain
- diarrhoea
- change in taste
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe allergic reaction
- fast or irregular heartbeat or fainting
- yellow eyes or skin
- severe or bloody diarrhoea
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to macrolide antibiotics
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Severe liver disease
- Taking some heart-rhythm medicines (ask your doctor)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both can prolong the QT interval and cause dangerous heart rhythms.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Digoxin
Can raise digoxin levels; watch for nausea, slow pulse or vision changes.
- Hydroxychloroquine
Both can prolong the QT interval; use together with caution.
- Warfarin
Can raise the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked.