Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Medications
azithromycin (oral/injection)

azithromycin (oral/injection)

[en Español]

azithromycin (oral/injection)

Pronunciation: a ZITH roe MYE sin

Brand: Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack, Zithromax, Zithromax IV, Zithromax TRI-PAK, Zithromax Z-Pak

Zithromax Z-Pak

slide 1 of 30, Zithromax Z-Pak,

250 mg, oval, pink, imprinted with PFIZER, 306

Image of Zithromax Z-Pak
slide 1 of 30
    

Zithromax TRI-PAK

slide 2 of 30, Zithromax TRI-PAK,

500 mg, oblong, pink, imprinted with Pfizer, ZTM500

Image of Zithromax TRI-PAK
slide 2 of 30
    

Zithromax

slide 3 of 30, Zithromax,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 308, PFIZER

Image of Zithromax
slide 3 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 4 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, oblong, pink, imprinted with 93, 7146

Image of Azithromycin
slide 4 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 5 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 93, 7147

Image of Azithromycin
slide 5 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 6 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oblong, pink, imprinted with G, 3070

Image of Azithromycin
slide 6 of 30
    

Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack

slide 7 of 30, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack,

250 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GGD6

Image of Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack
slide 7 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 8 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GGD7

Image of Azithromycin
slide 8 of 30
    

Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack

slide 9 of 30, Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GG D8

Image of Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack
slide 9 of 30
    

Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack

slide 10 of 30, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack,

250 mg, oval, white, imprinted with PLIVA, 787

Image of Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack
slide 10 of 30
    

Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack

slide 11 of 30, Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack,

500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with PLIVA, 788

Image of Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack
slide 11 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 12 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, oval, pink, imprinted with G, 3060

Image of Azithromycin
slide 12 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 13 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg

Image of Azithromycin
slide 13 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 14 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 3080, G

Image of Azithromycin
slide 14 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 15 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, oval, white, imprinted with APO, AZ250

Image of Azithromycin
slide 15 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 16 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with W964

Image of Azithromycin
slide 16 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 17 of 30, Azithromycin,

1 g, banana-cherry

Image of Azithromycin
slide 17 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 18 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GG D6

Image of Azithromycin
slide 18 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 19 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, oval, pink, imprinted with LU, L11

Image of Azithromycin
slide 19 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 20 of 30, Azithromycin,

250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M 533

Image of Azithromycin
slide 20 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 21 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GG D8

Image of Azithromycin
slide 21 of 30
    

Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack

slide 22 of 30, Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack,

500 mg, oval, pink, imprinted with LU, L12

Image of Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack
slide 22 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 23 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with APO, AZ500

Image of Azithromycin
slide 23 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 24 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with GG D8

Image of Azithromycin
slide 24 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 25 of 30, Azithromycin,

500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with M534

Image of Azithromycin
slide 25 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 26 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with LU, L13

Image of Azithromycin
slide 26 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 27 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with APO, AZ600

Image of Azithromycin
slide 27 of 30
    

Azithromycin

slide 28 of 30, Azithromycin,

600 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with M535

Image of Azithromycin
slide 28 of 30
    

Zithromax Z-Pak

slide 29 of 30, Zithromax Z-Pak,

250 mg, oblong, red, imprinted with PFIZER, 306

Image of Zithromax Z-Pak
slide 29 of 30
    

Zithromax

slide 30 of 30, Zithromax,

600 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 308, PFIZER

Image of Zithromax
slide 30 of 30
    

What is the most important information I should know about azithromycin?

You should not use azithromycin if you have ever had an allergic reaction, jaundice, or liver problems while taking this medicine. You should not use azithromycin if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.

What is azithromycin?

Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, including infections of the lungs, sinus, throat, tonsils, skin, urinary tract, cervix, or genitals.

Azithromycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using azithromycin?

You should not use azithromycin if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had:

  • jaundice or liver problems caused by taking azithromycin; or
  • a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.

Azithromycin oral should not be used to treat pneumonia in people who have:

  • cystic fibrosis;
  • an infection after being in a hospital;
  • an infection in the blood;
  • a weak immune system (caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS or cancer); or
  • in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • pneumonia;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • myasthenia gravis;
  • low levels of potassium in your blood;
  • a heart rhythm disorder; or
  • long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

It is not known whether this medicine is effective in treating genital ulcers in women.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Taking azithromycin while breastfeeding may cause diarrhea, vomiting, or rash in the nursing baby.

Azithromycin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old. Azithromycin should not be used to treat a throat or tonsil infection in a child younger than 2 years old.

How should I take azithromycin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Azithromycin oral is taken by mouth. Azithromycin injection is given as an infusion into a vein, usually for 2 days before you switch to azithromycin oral. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may take azithromycin oral with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused liquid medicine after 10 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking azithromycin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Azithromycin could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What are the possible side effects of azithromycin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or
  • liver problems --nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

Call your doctor right away if a baby taking azithromycin becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting; or
  • stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect azithromycin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • colchicine;
  • digoxin;
  • nelfinavir;
  • phenytoin;
  • an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium --Acid Gone, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, and others; or
  • a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect azithromycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about azithromycin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 18.01. Revision date: 5/2/2019.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link .
© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details