Azithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body as it kills the bacteria or prevents their growth. It is also used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Azithromycin is used in certain patients with Trachoma (treatment). Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions or side effects for this use. Azithromycin may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor. Azithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Azithromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription. To know more about the uses of this medicine, you will need to speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Azithromycin is available in form of oral capsules (U.S. and Canada), oral suspension (U.S. and Canada), Tablets (U.S. and Canada), Parenteral Injection (U.S.). Azithromycin capsules and pediatric oral suspension should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals. Azithromycin tablets and adult single dose oral suspension may be taken with or without food. If you are taking Antacids containing aluminum and magnesium then they may decrease the amount of Azithromycin in the blood, which may decrease its effects. To avoid problems, Azithromycin should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after antacids.


The dose of Azithromycin will be different for different patients. The number of capsules or tablets or the amount of suspension that you take depends on the medical problem for which you are taking Azithromycin. The following information includes only the average doses of Azithromycin.

In the patients taking oral suspension,

For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections, Adults and adolescents may take 1 gram once as a single dose. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children from 6 months to 12 years of age.

For gonococcal infections, Adults and adolescents may take 2 gram once as a single dose. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children from 6 months to 12 years of age.

For otitis media and pneumonia, Children 6 months to 12 years of age may take 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on the first day, then 5 mg per kg (2.2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on days two through five.


For strep throat, Adults and adolescents do not usually use the oral suspension. Children 2 to 12 years of age may take 12 mg per kg (5.4 mg per pound) of body weight once a day for five days. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children under2 years of age.

In patients taking tablets,


For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia and skin infections, Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older may take 500 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.

For chlamydia infections, Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older may take 1000 mg taken once as a single dose. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.

For prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease, Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older may take 1200 mg once a week. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.

For sinusitis, Adults and adolescents may take 500 mg a day for 3 days. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.

In patients taking injections,

For pelvic inflammatory disease, Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older may take 500 milligrams (mg) once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.


For pneumonia, Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older may take 500 mg once a day for at least two days, injected into a vein. Your doctor must determine use and dose for Children less than 16 years of age.


Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. If your directed dose is different, follow that. To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking Azithromycin for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Consult your doctor about the possible side effects of using this drug for your condition. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary. In effective doses, the medicine has not been seen to cause different side effects or problems in children below 16 years than it does in adults. This medicine has not seen to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, azithromycin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Trachoma (treatment)
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses.

Azithromycin should be stored in the container it came in. Make sure that the container remains tightly closed and out of reach of children when not in use. Azithromycin should be stored at room temperature and away from places where it could experience excess heat and light. Store the pediatric suspension form of Azithromycin in the refrigerator. When the medicine is not in use or outdated, it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly.

When you are taking Azithromycin, tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Azithromycin or to any related medicines such as erythromycin, any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Azithromycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems like Liver disease (Patients with severe liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects). If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or become worse, check with your doctor.


If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding then inform your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking Azithromycin, call your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Azithromycin passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.