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What is azithromycin for?

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Azithromycin is part of a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, intended to treat various respiratory, skin, and ear infections and sexually transmitted diseases, stopping the growth of the bacteria that causes the pathology. Its administration is usually done through a total dose of 1.5 gr. In this FastlyHealarticle, we tell you what azithromycin is for and how it should be used.

What is azithromycin used for?

This macrolide antibiotic is active against the following infections:

  • Respiratory tract and lung infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and whooping cough are caused by Mycobacterium avium complex or Legionnaires’ disease.
  • Throat infections such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, sinus infections such as sinusitis, and ear infections such as otitis media.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases include chlamydia infections, lymphogranuloma venereum, non-gonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, and donovanosis.
  • Other infections include H. pylori, salmonella, Lyme disease, or babesiosis.

How is azithromycin used?

This antibiotic may come as a tablet, an extended-release suspension, or a suspension for oral administration, usually in doses of 500 mg. This medicine can be taken once a day for 1 to 5 days.

Specifically, it is usually adequate to take tonsillitis for five days, while in pharyngitis, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia and pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, and tissue infection, it is enough to take it for about three days. In the same way, in non-gonococcal urethritis, it is recommended to take a single dose of 1 gr, and in syphilis, a single dose also of 1.5 gr.

But remember that a doctor must administer this medicine. Once the disease has been diagnosed, avoid self-medicating.

Adverse effects of azithromycin

This antibiotic is generally well tolerated; however, there may be some side effects to its taking. The mildest are:

  • Gastrointestinal upset with nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea and flatulence
  • Headache

Other more severe symptoms are:

  • Fast, irregular, or slow heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Appearance of rashes
  • Urticaria
  • Itch
  • Gasping or trouble to breathe and swallowing
  • Swelling of any part of the face
  • Conquer
  • Thrush in the mouth
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Jaundice of the skin or eyes
  • Exhausted
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dark urine
  • Flu symptoms
  • Blistering or peeling of the skin
  • Muscular weakness

If, after starting the treatment, you present some of the symptoms described above, you must stop taking medicine and consult your doctor.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is azithromycin for? We recommend that you enter our Wellness category.

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