Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Zithromax.
Chemical Name: AZITHROMYCIN (ay-ZITH-roe-MYE-sin)
Zithromax 500mg is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Zithromax 500mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE ZITHROMAX 500mg if you are also taking dofetilide, nilotinib, propafenone, pimozide, or tetrabenazine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking antiarrhythmics (eg, disopyramide), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, carbamazepine, chloroquine, cisapride, cyclosporine, digoxin, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), halofantrine, haloperidol, histone deacetylase inhibitors (eg, romidepsin), lithium, maprotiline, methadone, nelfinavir, paliperidone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), phenytoin, quinolones (eg, levofloxacin), rifamycins (eg, rifampin), terfenadine, theophylline, triazolam, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, dasatinib), ziprasidone, or medicines that may affect your heartbeat. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of the medicines you are taking may affect your heartbeat. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including irregular heartbeat, kidney problems, liver problems, myasthenia gravis, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding. USE OF ZITHROMAX 500mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of liver problems or yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by any dose form (eg, tablets, suspension, injection) of Zithromax 500mg. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Zithromax 500mg.
Follow the directions for using Zithromax 500mg provided by your doctor. Zithromax 500mg may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. ZITHROMAX 500mg MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. DO NOT TAKE AN ANTACID that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Zithromax 500mg. STORE ZITHROMAX 500mg between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. KEEP ZITHROMAX 500mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking Zithromax 500mg for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines if you do not take Zithromax 500mg for the full course of treatment. Do not miss any doses. Taking Zithromax 500mg at the same time each day will make it easier to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF ZITHROMAX 500mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose, do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE ZITHROMAX 500mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to other macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), to ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin), or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product. An allergic reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to Zithromax 500mg, a macrolide, or a ketolide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of Zithromax 500mg unless your doctor tells you to do so. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Zithromax 500mg. Zithromax 500mg may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Zithromax 500mg. Using Zithromax 500mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. ZITHROMAX 500mg MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Zithromax 500mg. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. MILD DIARRHEA IS COMMON with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody or watery stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL LIVER PROBLEMS have been reported with the use of Zithromax 500mg. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pales stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; unusual itching). Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. LONG-TERM OR REPEATED USE OF ZITHROMAX 500mg may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. ZITHROMAX 500mg ONLY WORKS against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold). BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Zithromax 500mg during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF ZITHROMAX 500mg IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Zithromax 500mg, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Zithromax 500mg include diarrhea or loose stools, headache, mild stomach pain, nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or watery stools; changes in hearing or hearing loss; chest pain; difficulty swallowing or speaking; eye or vision problems; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; pounding in the chest; red, blistered, peeling, or swollen skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; unusual itching); or unusual vaginal itching, odor, or discharge. An allergic reaction to Zithromax 500mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Zithromax
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
DO NOT SHARE ZITHROMAX 500mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE ZITHROMAX 500mg for other health conditions. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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