How Azithromycin works

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It stops bacterial growth by inhibiting synthesis of essential proteins, which are required by bacteria to carry out vital functions.

Side Effects

Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Allergy

Usage

Azithromycin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections and typhoid fever.
It is used in bacterial infections of tonsils, sinus, ear, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues, windpipe and lungs (pneumonia).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Azithromycin an antibiotic?

Yes, Azithromycin is an antibiotic. It belongs to a class of antibiotics known as macrolides. It can be used to treat bacterial sinusitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, pneumonia and many other if caused by micro-organisms sensitive to Azithromycin. It should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor.

Q. Is Azithromycin used for treating a cold and sore throat?

Azithromycin is used to treat cold and sore throat only if there is an underlying bacterial infection present. Please consult your doctor before taking Azithromycin in these conditions.

Q. Is Azithromycin safe?

Azithromycin is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Q. Is Azithromycin good for tonsillitis?

Azithromycin can be used for the treatment of tonsillitis. However, there are antibiotics which are preferred over Azithromycin for its treatment. Please consult your doctor before taking any antibiotics for tonsillitis.

Q. Is Azithromycin banned?

No, Azithromycin is not a banned medicine. However, it is available on prescription by a physician.

Q. Can Azithromycin be used to treat a fever?

Fever is a symptom which could be due to an underlying infection like bacterial, viral or fungal. Azithromycin can be used for the treatment of bacterial infections only. Please take advice from your physician before taking any antibiotic for fever as it is important to identify the type of infection causing fever.

Q. Is Azithromycin used for urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Azithromycin is not recommended for the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI). Please consult your doctor before taking any antibiotics for the treatment of UTI.

Q. Is Azithromycin good for acne?

Azithromycin can be used for the treatment of acne. Clinical studies have shown a good efficacy of Azithromycin in the treatment of acne. However, it is always advised that you should consult to your physician before taking any antibiotics for your infections.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin with paracetamol?

Azithromycin can be taken with paracetamol as no drug interactions have been clinically observed between the two medicines. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin with omeprazole?

Azithromycin can be taken with omeprazole as no interactions have been clinically observed between the two medicines. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin with ibuprofen?

Azithromycin can be taken with ibuprofen as no interactions have been clinically observed between the two medicines. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin with esomeprazole?

Azithromycin can be taken with esomeprazole as no drug interactions have been clinically observed between the two medicines. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin with birth control pills (oral contraceptives)

No interactions have been clinically observed between Azithromycin and birth control pills (oral contraceptives). However, this does not mean interactions cannot occur. Please talk to your doctor if you have been advised to take Azithromycin and you are already taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

Q. Does Azithromycin treat a cough?

No, Azithromycin cannot treat a cough. Cough is a symptom which represents an underlying disease or an infection. Azithromycin can help in relieving cough only if it would be effective in treating the underlying infection. Please talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for your cough.

Q. Does Azithromycin affect sperm?

Azithromycin has not been reported to affect sperms.

Q. Does Azithromycin cause drowsiness?

No, Azithromycin does not cause drowsiness. Please consult your doctor if you experience drowsiness while taking Azithromycin.

Q. Does Azithromycin cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea (loose stools) is a very common side effect of Azithromycin. Please consult your doctor if you experience excessive diarrhea while taking Azithromycin.

Q. Does Azithromycin affect fertility?

Azithromycin is not known to affect fertility in humans. Inadequate data is available for humans. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding the same.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for throat infection caused by streptococcus?

Yes, Azithromycin can be taken for throat infection caused by streptococcus. However, this an alternative medicine for the same. There are other antibiotics available which could be more effective in the treatment of streptococcal throat infections. Please take the advice from your doctor before taking any antibiotics.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for a toothache (tooth pain)?

Azithromycin would be helpful in a toothache (tooth pain) only when there is an underlying infection which is causing the pain. Please talk to your doctor before taking Azithromycin or any other antibiotic for relief of a tooth pain.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for the flu?

No, Azithromycin is not recommended for the treatment of flu (influenza infection). Please consult your doctor if you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of flu (influenza infection) before taking any medicines including antibiotics like Azithromycin as this is a viral infection and taking any antibiotics would not help in this condition.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for a sinus infection?

Yes, Azithromycin can help to treat a bacterial sinus infection. However, as always advisable, antibiotics should only be taken only when the infection is properly diagnosed by the doctor and then antibiotics are taken as advised.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for yeast infection?

Azithromycin is an antibiotic (works against a bacterial infection). It does not have any action against the yeast (fungal) infection.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for chlamydia?

Yes, Azithromycin can be taken for chlamydial infection. However, it is always advisable to take antibiotics only when recommended by a doctor, in the doses advised.

Q. Can I take Azithromycin for tooth infection?

Azithromycin can be taken to treat tooth infection. However, it is always advisable to take antibiotics only when recommended by a doctor to treat the infection.