Type of medicine: antibiotic
Generic and brand names: azithromycin, injection; azithromycin, oral; Zmax Extended Release Oral Suspension; Z-pak; Zithromax Injection; Zithromax Oral Suspension; Zithromax Tablets
This medicine is an antibiotic taken by mouth or given by injection to treat bacterial infections.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval, even if you feel better. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection may return.
This medicine comes in injection, immediate release oral liquid, extended release oral liquid, and tablet forms.
If you are given the extended release oral liquid, it is ready to take. Take it within 12 hours after you get it from your pharmacist. Shake it well and drink the entire contents of the bottle all at once. If you are given the extended release oral liquid as a powder, you must add water to the bottle before you take it. Pour 2 ounces of water into the bottle. Shake it well and drink the entire contents of the bottle all at once. You will take the extended release oral liquid only 1 time. It keeps working for several days. Take the extended release liquid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. If you vomit within the first hour of taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.
If you have the immediate release liquid form, shake the bottle well before pouring a dose. Measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. If you have the single use powder packets, open the packet and pour all the medicine into 2 ounces of water. Mix it well and drink the medicine right away. Rinse the glass with another 2 ounces of water and drink that too. You may take this medicine with or without food.
If you have the tablets, you may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
Do not take antacids containing aluminum or magnesium at the same time that you take this medicine. Take this medicine and antacids 2Â hours apart. Your pharmacist can tell you which antacids contain aluminum, magnesium, or both.
The injections are given by your healthcare provider, usually when you are in a hospital. Your healthcare provider may switch you to tablets, powder, or oral liquid when you leave the hospital.
Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness.
Do not take this medicine for other infections unless your healthcare provider approves. Do not use it beyond the expiration date on the label.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
If you take this medicine for a long time, you may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may cause diarrhea. Severe watery and bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking this medicine or even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe or constant diarrhea, yellow skin or eyes, dark colored urine or pale stools, fast or irregular heartbeat, blistering or peeling skin rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pain.
Other: Mild diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, loss of appetite, bad taste in mouth, pain or redness at injection site.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Do not store in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. If you have the immediate release azithromycin oral liquid, discard any unused medicine after 10 days. If you have the extended release liquid (Zmax), you must take your dose within 12 hours after it is mixed with water.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
