Azithral 500 dosage: how to take it

How to take Azithral 500

Take Azithral 500 exactly as your doctor prescribes or as printed on the pack. The dose and the number of days depend on the infection being treated.

• It is usually taken once a day, at about the same time each day. Courses are often short, such as 3 days, but your doctor decides how long.
• Some labels say it can be taken with or without food; others advise 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Follow the pack or your doctor's advice.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
• Do not take antacids for indigestion at the same time. A common gap is at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after the antacid.
• Take the full course your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better sooner. Stopping early can let the infection come back and helps bacteria become resistant.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Do not take two doses together.
• Tell your doctor if you are not feeling better after 3 days, or if you feel worse at any time.
• Do not keep leftover tablets for another illness or share them. Each infection needs a doctor's diagnosis.
• Children's doses are based on body weight and usually use the liquid form. This 500 mg tablet is not for young children unless a doctor prescribes it.

Who should be careful

Azithromycin is not suitable for everyone. Tell your doctor about your health conditions and other medicines before taking it.

• It treats bacterial infections only. It does not work for colds, flu, most coughs or other viral infections, and taking it when it is not needed adds to antibiotic resistance
• Past allergic reaction to azithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin
• Heart rhythm problems, a known long QT interval, a slow heart rate, heart failure, or low potassium or magnesium: azithromycin can rarely cause a dangerous irregular heartbeat, and older people may be more at risk
• Liver disease, or past liver problems after taking azithromycin
• Severe kidney disease
• Myasthenia gravis: azithromycin can make muscle weakness worse
• Past diarrhoea while taking antibiotics
• Pregnancy: azithromycin can be used when an infection needs treatment, but another antibiotic may suit some infections better, so your doctor will decide
• Breastfeeding: small amounts pass into breast milk. Watch the baby for diarrhoea, vomiting, rash or thrush, and tell your doctor if you notice them
• Thrush (a yeast infection of the mouth or vagina) can develop during or after a course of antibiotics; ask a pharmacist or doctor if it does
• Dizziness: do not drive or use machines if azithromycin makes you dizzy

Medicines and things that interact with Azithral 500

Some medicines can change how azithromycin works or add to its effect on heart rhythm. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies and supplements.

• Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium: do not take them at the same time as azithromycin
• Medicines that can affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone, sotalol, citalopram, some antipsychotics, domperidone, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine and some other antibiotics such as moxifloxacin: a higher risk of an irregular heartbeat
• Warfarin and other blood thinners such as dabigatran and edoxaban: their effect may increase, so your doctor may check your clotting more often
• Digoxin and colchicine: their levels in the blood may rise
• Ciclosporin and tacrolimus (medicines that suppress the immune system): levels may need checking
• Ergotamine or dihydroergotamine (migraine medicines): should not be taken with azithromycin
• Statins such as simvastatin and atorvastatin: tell your doctor about any unexplained muscle pain
• Nelfinavir (an HIV medicine): raises azithromycin levels, so your doctor may watch for liver and hearing side effects
• Herbal remedies and supplements: there is not enough information to say they are safe together, so tell your doctor or pharmacist

If someone takes too much

Common questions