Azithromycin is an antibiotic tablet. It used to treat certain bacterial infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and urethritis. An advantage of this medicine is that you will only need to take one dose to cure an infection. This is because it works for longer than most other antibiotics. As a result, there is a reduced risk of side effects.

The branded version of Azithromycin suspension is called Zithromax: Powder for oral suspension.

Azithromycin destroys the bacteria that is responsible for causing chlamydia. Most clinical studies show azithromycin to be 95% effective at treating this sexually transmitted disease. However, the success rate is dependent on the medicine being taken correctly, whilst avoiding further unprotected sex until treatment is complete.

In many cases, chlamydia can be symptomless, which is what makes it such a prolific disease. It is estimated that around 50% of men and 70% of women do not suffer any of the associated symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended to get checked after having unprotected sex, especially if you have several partners or are with a new partner.

For those who do experience symptoms, the most common are:

• A discharge from the penis/anus or vagina
• Pain whilst urinating
• Bleeding in between periods

You will need to inform your healthcare provider if:

• You have kidney or liver disease
• you have an irregular heartbeat or heart disease
• you are allergic to Azithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics
• You are allergic to any foods, dyes, or preservatives
• You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• You are breastfeeding

The medication is administered orally, following the directions on the dispensing label.

Azithromycin tablets: Take two 500mg tablets together as a single dose.

Azithromycin suspension: Take 25ml (five 5ml spoonfuls) as a single dose and discard any remaining suspension.

For those who experience symptoms, they should clear within a few days of treatment. However, since many sufferers do not experience symptoms, you should test again after 14 days to ensure successful treatment.

Ideally, you should abstain from sex until your chlamydia has cleared. However, if you decide to have intercourse whilst undergoing chlamydia treatment, it is important that you make your partner aware of the risks. Make sure you use a condom to help avoid transmitting the infection. If you suspect a condom has split, make sure your partner gets testing for chlamydia and that they receive the appropriate treatment if necessary.

Known interactions include:

• Lincomycin
• Amiodarone
• Contraceptive pills
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Magnesium
• Nelfinavir
• Phenytoin
• Warfarin

If your symptoms do not improve, you should seek advice from your doctor or healthcare professional.

Contact your doctor if your diarrhoea lasts for longer than two days, or if it is particularly severe or watery.

Azithromycin oral suspension can increase your sensitivity to the sun. Try to avoid the sun where possible. Alternatively, wear protective clothing and sunscreen if avoidance is not possible. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

If you experience any side effect from taking Azithromycin oral suspension, you should report them to your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible. Common side effects include:

• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Tooth discolouration
• Vaginal irritation

Although serious side effects are very rare, you should stop treatment and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Rash, itching or hives
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing and swallowing
• Swelling of the face, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Sores in the mouth
• Hoarseness
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained pain in the upper right side of the stomach
• Severe diarrhoea that may occur with or without a fever and stomach cramps
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark-coloured urine
• Peeling/blistering of the skin
• Flu-like symptoms

Azithromycin suspension should be kept inside its original container, tightly closed and out of reach of children. The suspension should be stored at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Do not refrigerate or freeze azithromycin oral suspension. Discard any remaining liquid after 10 days from dispensing.

Azithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections, including; pneumonia, bronchitis, and sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia. It will also effectively treat infections of the ears, lungs, skin, sinuses, and throat. Azithromycin belongs to a class of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics, like azithromycin, have no effect on viruses, so this medicine should not be used to treat colds, flu, or other types of viral infection.

The Independent Pharmacy can only prescribe azithromycin to treat chlamydia or travellers' diarrhoea.

No. Drinking alcohol can potentially neutralise any positive effects of the azithromycin. This means that your chlamydia may not be cured effectively.

Unless told otherwise by your doctor, continue your normal diet.

It is a bad idea to leave Chlamydia untreated as it can cause serious health complications for those that are infected. In women, they can develop pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain. If left untreated in men, chlamydia can cause persistent cystitis (UTI) and pain or inflammation in the testicles.

If this sexually transmitted disease is not treated properly then the carrier risks passing the infection to other people.

Gonorrhea is usually treated with an antibiotic called Suprax (Cefixime), along with Azithromycin. It can also be treated with doxycycline monohydrate, another type of antibiotic. They are administered as a single dose antibiotic and are usually used in conjunction with each other because it is very common for people to transmit both diseases. You can get this medication from your local sexual health clinic or order online for speedy and discreet delivery.

The chances of antibiotics not working properly after vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea really depends on how long ago you took the medication. If you have recently taken a tablet and vomited, there is a high chance that the treatment wasn’t properly absorbed into your system. Equally, if you experience diarrhoea after taking this treatment, there is a chance that it was not absorbed into your body people.

If you are concerned about whether or not your treatment worked, simply take a second chlamydia test 14 days after your treatment. If you’re still testing positive for the disease then it’s important to consult a medical professional.

If you receive a second positive result then it’s important to seek medical attention to identify another course of action.

If you have taken Azithromycin tablets correctly and followed the guidance on the information leaflet, then it’s important to speak to a medical professional. You may be prescribed a different type of medication to get rid of your infection.

You can enjoy a convenient and discreet health care review with a professional to decide on the next steps.

Azithromycin is an effective antibiotic that treats lots of different bacterial infections. This medication is prescribed to treat ear infections, infections of the skin or surrounding tissue, and infections of the throat or tonsils. They are also used to treat lung and other respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, community acquired pneumonia, and some cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you are suffering from any of the above bacterial infections, it is best to consult a medical professional before taking Azithromycin. You may need a different dosage and will likely need to be sure that it is a bacterial infection. Speak to our medical team today for free impartial advice.

These antibiotics are not recommended for those that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Chlamydia can cause complications while pregnant so it is important to speak to a medical professional for advice on how to best treat it.