Azithromycin: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage

• Azithromycin belongs to the class of drugs known as Macrolide antibiotics.
• Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections.
• Azithromycin may be used in combination with other antibiotics when it’s used to treat mycobacterium avium complex infection.
• It should not be used to treat infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold.

Therapeutic Uses 

Azithromycin tablets can be used for the treatment of the following infections:

• Acute bacterial otitis media
• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• Pharyngitis, tonsillitis
• Mild to moderately severe community acquired pneumonia
• Uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis and cervicitis
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
• Genitl Ulcer disease.

Azitromycin Side Effects

Following Side effects can be seen with the use of azithromycin;

• Nausea vomiting
• Headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• Nervous System: Dizziness, headache, vertigo, and somnolence.
• Cardiovascular: Palpitations and chest pain.
• Severe skin reaction – fever, sore throat, Swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain or swelling, pus-filled pimples, Red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
• Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, melena, and cholestatic jaundice.
• Allergic: Rash, photosensitivity, and angioedema

Dosage of Azitromycin :

The dosage and length of time for azithromycin treatment may vary according to the type of infection:

Infection of the throat and tonsils: 500 mg/Day in a single dose then 250 mg per day for four days
Infections of the skin: 500 milligrams (mg) in a single dose then 250 mg per day for four days.
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP):500 mg of dose perday, then 250 mg per day for four days
Sinus infections caused by bacteria: 500 mg a day for three days or 2 g as a one-time dose.
Genital Ulcer Disease: 1 gram (g), one time.