How do you take zithromax

Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount. The liquid can have a bitter aftertaste, so it can be a good idea to offer children a drink of fruit juice afterwards.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next one. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for other ways to remember your medicine. Taking an extra dose of azithromycin by accident is unlikely to harm you or your child.

It may, however, increase the chance of temporary side effects, such as feeling or being sick or diarrhoea. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried, or if you or your child accidentally take more than 1 extra dose. Like all medicines, azithromycin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. 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:. In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to azithromycin. These aren't all the side effects of azithromycin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. Azithromycin isn't normally recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

But your doctor may prescribe it if the benefits of taking azithromycin are greater than the risks. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start azithromycin:. You should also let your doctor know if you're taking any medicines for an irregular heartbeat arrhythmia , such as amiodarone or sotalol. Azithromycin can sometimes affect your heartbeat, so it's best not to take it with other medicines that have the same side effect. For this reason, it's important that you tell your doctor if you're taking medicines that can affect your heartbeat as a side effect.

Check the leaflets that come with your medicines and talk to a pharmacist or your doctor if you have any worries. There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies or supplements alongside azithromycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Azithromycin is from a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that cause the infection.

There are other macrolide antibiotics that work in the same way as azithromycin. They include erythromycin and clarithromycin. It's usual to take azithromycin once a day. For erythromycin, it's usually 4 times a day, and twice a day for clarithromycin. Erythromycin is more likely to cause diarrhoea than either azithromycin or clarithromycin. The most common are diarrhoea, feeling sick nausea and headache.

Azithromycin is prescribed to treat acute bacterial infections, such as respiratory infections , ear infections , skin infections and some genital infections. It can be taken by adults and children. It works by stopping the bacteria causing the infection from multiplying.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking azithromycin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:. Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with azithromycin.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.

Serious side effects can include:. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room. Taking it again could cause death. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.

However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Azithromycin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins , or herbs you may be taking.

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Taking azithromycin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. Examples of drugs that interact with azithromycin include:. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions.

Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Taking it again could be fatal cause death. For people with myasthenia gravis: If you have myasthenia gravis, taking this drug may worsen your symptoms.

Be sure to discuss your condition with your doctor before taking azithromycin. For people with certain heart problems: If you have an abnormal heart rhythm, including a condition called QT prolongation, taking this drug can increase your risk of having an arrhythmia that may be fatal.

People with decompensated uncontrolled heart failure are also at risk. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. One study in pregnant rats did show increased risk of fetal death and delays in development after birth. Azithromycin does pass into the breast milk of lactating women. These side effects may include diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:.

Typical dosage is mg once per day for 3 days. Your doctor may also prescribe mg taken as a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5.