Azithromycin how much to take

However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Azithromycin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Store azithromycin tablets, suspension, and extended-release suspension at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Do not refrigerate or freeze the extended-release suspension. Discard any azithromycin suspension that is left over after 10 days or no longer needed. Discard any unused extended-release azithromycin suspension after dosing is complete or 12 hours after preparation.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet.

Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to azithromycin. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the azithromycin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. 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. Your doctor may prescribe mg taken in a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5. Your doctor may prescribe mg in a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5. For treatment , typical dosage is mg once per day, taken with the drug ethambutol.

However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Azithromycin is typically used for short-term treatment. For azithromycin to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. This may cause liver damage or an irregular heart rhythm. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon. These medicines may keep azithromycin from working properly.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. 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 double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Also tell them if, at any time, you start to feel worse. Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like azithromycin.

Antibiotics kill the normal harmless bacteria that help to protect you against thrush. Symptoms of thrush in the mouth include redness and itching. Women may get vaginal itching.

Azithromycin doesn't stop contraceptive pills, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. But if azithromycin makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea 6 to 8 watery poos in 24 hours for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea.

There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking azithromycin will reduce fertility in either men or women. However speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant.

Azithromycin can cause dizziness. If you're affected by it, do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery.

Page last reviewed: 6 December Next review due: 6 December Azithromycin On this page About azithromycin Key facts Who can and cannot take azithromycin How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About azithromycin Azithromycin is an antibiotic. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

Azithromycin is usually taken once a day. Try to take it at the same time each day. If you have tablets or liquid, you can take them with or without food. For most infections you should feel better within a few days, but you should still finish your full course of medicine. The most common side effects of azithromycin are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, headaches, or changes to your sense of taste.

Azithromycin is also called by the brand name Zithromax. Azithromycin can be taken by adults and children. To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: had an allergic reaction to azithromycin or any other medicines in the past liver or kidney problems heart problems, including irregular heartbeats arrhythmia had diarrhoea when you have taken antibiotics before myasthenia gravis - azithromycin can worsen the symptoms of this muscle-weakening illness diabetes - azithromycin liquid contains sugar.

Important Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better. How to take it If your doctor has prescribed azithromycin capsules, you should take them at least 1 hour before food or 2 hours after eating. Swallow tablets and capsules whole with a glass of water. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Common side effects 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: feeling sick nausea diarrhoea or being sick vomiting losing your appetite headaches feeling dizzy or tired changes to your sense of taste Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.

Call a doctor straight away if you get: chest pains or a faster or irregular heartbeat yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or pale poo with dark pee - these can be signs of liver or gallbladder problems ringing in your ears tinnitus , temporary hearing loss, or you feel unsteady on your feet vertigo severe pain in your stomach or back - these can be warning signs of inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis diarrhoea perhaps with muscle cramps that contains blood or mucus - if you have severe diarrhoea without blood or mucus for more than 4 days you should also speak to a doctor Serious allergic reaction In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to azithromycin.