Azithromycin
Antibiotic
Macrolide antibiotic with a short 3–5 day course.
Generic name: Azithromycin
Brand names: Zithromax, Azicine, Azimax
Prescription required
Dosage
Adults: 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg once daily on days 2–5; or 500 mg once daily for 3 days.
Side effects
Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain. QT prolongation in susceptible patients; rare hepatic injury.
Contraindications
Macrolide hypersensitivity, history of cholestatic jaundice with azithromycin, known QT prolongation.
Description
Azithromycin accumulates in tissues with a long half-life, allowing short, once-daily regimens. Used for community-acquired pneumonia, pharyngitis, sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia), and as part of H. pylori salvage therapy.