Zithromax

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Headache

Loss of appetite

Dizziness

Thrush infections

Sleepiness (somnolence)

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Anxiety and agitation

Hyperactivity

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Hearing distubances

Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Pain in the joints (arthralgia)

Decrease in the number of platelets or white blood cells in the blood

Allergic skin reactions

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Seizures (convulsions)

Liver or kidney disorders

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

This medicine should not be taken by people taking ergotamine or related medicines, eg dihydroergotamine or methysergide (used to treat migraine).

Antacids for indigestion and heartburn reduce the absorption of azithromycin from the gut if they are taken at the same time as azithromycin. Azithromycin should therefore be taken at least one hour before or two hours after taking any antacid.

Azithromycin may increase the blood levels of the following medicines:

ciclosporin

digoxin

theophylline.

If you are taking digoxin or ciclosporin it is recommended that your blood levels are monitored while you are taking azithromycin. Your doctor may adjust your dose if necessary.

Azithromycin may enhance the anti-blood-clotting effects of warfarin and possibly other anticoagulant medicines. If you are taking an anticoagulant your doctor may want to perform extra monitoring of your blood clotting time (INR) while you are also taking azithromycin.

If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill or are using contraceptive patches, there may be a very low risk that this antibiotic may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious. For this reason, the Family Planning Association recommends that women using a combined contraceptive pill or patch should use an extra method of contraception (eg condoms) while taking a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotic, and for seven days after finishing the antibiotic course. If these seven days run beyond the end of a pill packet, a new packet should be started without a break (in the case of ED pills the inactive tablets should be omitted). If the seven days run beyond the 3 weeks of a patch cycle, a new cycle should be started immediately without a patch-free break.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Azithromycin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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