What Is Zithromax (Azithromycin)?

Zithromax is a versatile antibiotic that is commonly used for treating many types of bacterial infections. This may include skin infections, ear infections, respiratory infections, and sexually transmitted infections. It is available as a pill, powder, liquid, or injection.

What Is Zithromax Used For?

Infections that can be treated with Zithromax include:

• Respiratory tract infections
• Skin and other soft-tissue infections
• Acute bacterial exacerbations of an inflammatory lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Otitis media, or middle ear infection
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Bacterial conjunctivitis, or eye infection
• Mycobacterium avium complex or MAC, which is an opportunistic respiratory infection
• Chancroid, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause genital ulcers
• Pharyngitis, or throat inflammation
• Tonsillitis, or tonsil inflammation
• Chlamydial cervicitis, or inflammation of the cervix due to chlamydia
• Urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra that may be due to an STI

Mechanism of Action

How Zithromax is processed in the body allows it to interact with fewer drugs when compared to erythromycin, which has a drug-drug interaction with some statins (e.g., Zocor or Crestor).

Like the other macrolides—erythromycin and clarithromycin—Zithromax works by binding to the bacteria 50S ribosomal subunit, thus interfering with the bacteria's ability to produce proteins. Bacteria need to produce proteins to survive. Depending on the organism and the drug concentration, macrolides can either stop bacterial growth or kill bacteria.

Zithromax Dosage

Dosage will vary depending on the route of administration and what infection the medication is treating. Zithromax is available in tablets, oral suspensions, injections, and eye solutions.

Dosage examples for adults:

• For skin infections or tonsillitis: one 500 milligram (mg) tablet of Zithromax once for the first day of treatment, followed by one 250 mg tablet on days two through five
• For acute bacterial exacerbation of COPD: one 500 mg tablet once daily for three days
• For chancroid: a one time dose of 1 gram of Zithromax

Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions, as the type of infection you have will dictate the Zithromax dosage needed for treatment.

Adverse Effects

Although not as severe as erythromycin, azithromycin can also cause gastrointestinal distress like nausea or vomiting.

These unwanted side effects can be mitigated by eating some food before you take an oral dose of azithromycin.

A Word From Verywell

If you or a loved one has heart disease, it may be a good idea to avoid azithromycin. This drug is known to cause heart rhythm related issues and an increased risk of heart-related death.

If prescribed Zithromax for an infection, be sure to complete your full course of treatment. If you don't complete treatment, resistant bacteria can survive, spread, and infect others.