Before using Azithromycin

It is important to go through your medical history with a physician before starting treatment with this drug. For example, the way your body processes Azithromycin requires your liver to be working well. If you have any condition affecting your liver function, the risk of side effects is increased.

Similarly, there are increased risks of side effects if you combine this antibiotic with a number of other medications. The most common problem arises from the use of antacids that contain either aluminum or magnesium. The presence of either metal may reduce the effectiveness of Azithromycin. If you suffer from indigestion, you should either use a medication that does not contain these metals or allow at least two hours to pass after taking the antibiotic before taking the antacid.

As to interactions between drugs, you should beware the following:

• the use of any of the statins to reduce the levels of cholesterol in your bloodstream may interact and cause muscle weakness and, in rare cases, actual muscle damage;

• the anticoagulant effect of warfarin may be increased and make it more likely you will suffer side effects;

• if you have recently had an organ transplant or are using Tacrolimus to treat severe eczema, there is a risk of a toxic effect. The same applies to other immunosuppressant drugs such as Cyclosporine used after transplants; and

• there are also increased risks if you are HIV positive and taking some of the standard antivirals.

Possible side effects of Azithromycin

As with all prescription only drugs on the market, the FDA, if you are in the U.S., or the regulatory authority in your country has looked at the evidence and decided that the drug is sufficiently safe to be allowed on to the market. This drug has been used successfully for more than 20 years around the world which is sufficient evidence that it is both effective and safe. Only a very small number of people do experience side effects, and those who do mostly find them mild and transitory. The most common are diarrhea and a general feeling of nausea.

The more rare and serious symptoms to look out for include:

• a rash or other symptoms suggesting an allergic reaction;
• an increase in blood pressure, chest pain, heart palpitations or an irregular rhythm;
• an increasingly severe headache;
• dizziness;
• any significant change in mood with feelings of increased anxiety, hyperactivity or aggressiveness, or a sense of fatigue, loss of energy or enthusiasm;
• any kind of hearing disturbance or loss;
• vomiting, stomach cramps, blood in the stools and other intestinal disorders;
• serious muscular weakness; or
• jaundice or other symptoms suggesting liver problems.

Talk to your doctor before using Azithromycin >>