Azithromycin Warnings
Azithromycin Warnings
Azithromycin Warnings
Azithromycin Warnings
Azithromycin can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the
heart, which may lead to deadly irregular heart rhythm, according to a
special warning by the FDA in 2012.
If you have a heart-rhythm condition, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat,
or take drugs to treat these conditions, you should talk to your doctor about
it before taking azithromycin.
Your doctor also should make sure you have normal blood levels of
potassium and magnesium before prescribing azithromycin.
In addition, you should not take azithromycin if you:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Gas
Loose stools
Stomach discomfort
Some people may also experience cramps and yeast or vaginal infection.
Chest pain
Seizures
Swelling of the feet or ankles
Inflammation of the colon (symptoms
may include abdominal pain, severe
diarrhea, fatigue)
Fluid build-up between the lungs and
the chest wall (symptoms may include
chest pain or heaviness, or difficulty
breathing difficulties)
Low count of white blood cells (this is
usually discovered in blood tests, but if
you have symptoms, they may include
weakness, tiredness, shortness of
breath, or infections that do not go
away)
Back to Top
Azithromycin Interactions
It is always important to share with your doctor and pharmacist all of the
medications you are taking.
This includes not only all of your prescription medicine, but also products
that may not seem like medication, such as over-the-counter
drugs, vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional
shakes, protein powders, etc.), and herbals along with any legal or illegal
recreational drugs.
You should not take Azithromycin if you are taking
Pimozide (Orap)
BCG live (Theracrys)
Dronedarone (Multaq)
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of prescribing a different antibiotic
than azithromycin if you are taking any of the following drugs:
Azithromycin Dosage
Azithromycin is taken as a pill or liquid. It's also given as intravenous (IV)
injection in hospitals. Packets of powder are mixed with water to create the
liquid solution.
Azithromycin may be taken with or without food.
Doctors sometimes prescribe azithromycin for shorter periods than they do
for other antibiotics, such as in a one-day "mega-dose," or for three or five
days, using the Z-Pak, which starts at a higher dose than longer regimens.
The dosage and length of time for azithromycin treatment vary according to
the type of infection:
Azithromycin Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or
emergency room immediately.
You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.