Azithromycin
About Azithromycin
Azithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It is prescribed for treating severe infections or when oral therapy is ineffective. Azithromycin is indicated in pneumonia (lung infection) and pelvic infections (infection of the reproductive organs). A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly.
Azithromycin contains 'Azithromycin', which works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins necessary for the survival of the bacteria. Thereby, it effectively treats bacterial infections.
Azithromycin will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. You may experience pain, itching, swelling or redness at the site of injection, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhoea, wind, dizziness, headache, and indigestion. Most of these side effects of Azithromycin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Please consult your doctor if these side effects become troublesome.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, plan to have a baby or if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Azithromycin only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Let your doctor know if you have/had liver problems; your doctor may need to monitor your liver function. Let your doctor know about your medical condition and the medications you are taking to avoid any interactions. Azithromycin may cause visual problems, do not drive or use machinery unless you are alert.
Uses of Azithromycin
Medicinal Benefits
Azithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia (lung infection) and pelvic infections (infection of the reproductive organs). Azithromycin works by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival. Thereby kills the bacteria and treats infections. Azithromycin is prescribed for treating severe infections or when oral therapy is ineffective.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Azithromycin
- Itching, swelling or redness at the site of injection
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Wind
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
Drug Warnings
Do not take Azithromycin if you are allergic or hypersensitive to azithromycin, any of its ingredients, any other macrolide antibiotic or ketolide (macrolide derivatives), or if you are taking ergotamine (used to treat migraine). Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have/had myasthenia gravis, psychiatric disorders, migraine, heart, kidney or liver problems.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Azithromycin may interact with medicines used to treat migraine (ergotamine), used to treat heart failure (digoxin), GOUT medications (colchicine), anticoagulants (warfarin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporin), antihistamines (terfenadine), HIV medicines (nelfinavir, zidovudine, rifabutin), asthma medicines (theophylline), and medicines used to treat conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, or to treat or prevent malaria (hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No relevant interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have liver problems, muscle problems (myasthenia gravis), heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium level) and colitis (inflammation of the intestine).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advisable not to take or limit alcohol as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Azithromycin passes into breastmilk. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionAzithromycin may cause dizziness, tiredness, or weakness. So avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.
Liver
cautionCaution is advised. If you have/had liver problems, your doctor may need to monitor your liver function or discontinue treatment.
Kidney
cautionConsult your doctor if you have kidney problems as your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
Children
cautionAzithromycin is not recommended for use in children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take probiotics after completing the full course of Azithromycin to restore healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed due to the use of antibiotics. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria which helps stimulate their growth. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, and brown rice, should be included in your diet.
- Avoid taking too much calcium enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Azithromycin.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Azithromycin as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid Azithromycin in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
Azithromycin might affect blood and liver tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Azithromycin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Azithromycin belongs to the group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia (lung infection) and pelvic infections (infection of the reproductive organs). It is prescribed for treating severe infections or when oral therapy is ineffective.
Azithromycin kills the harmful bacteria by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival.
Do not take antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium hydroxide within 2 hours of taking Azithromycin. Antacids can interact with Azithromycin and make it less effective when taken simultaneously.
Azithromycin can cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). If you have diarrhoea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
You should avoid taking Azithromycin if you have colitis (intestine inflammation), heart rhythm disorder, liver disease (like jaundice), and muscle problems (like myasthenia gravis). Contact your doctor if you have these conditions before taking Azithromycin.
Azithromycin should not be taken with any ergot derivates such as ergotamine used to treat migraine. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
