Azithromycin

What does Azithromycin do?

Azithromycin is an antibiotic used in the treatment of various infections, including chlamydia. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by preventing bacteria from making essential proteins. This stops the growth of bacteria and causes the bacteria to die.

How effective is Azithromycin for chlamydia?

A study by William Geisler, has shown that Azithromycin cures chlamydia in 97% of patients. Treatment should be undertaken following a positive chlamydia diagnosis. If you suspect you may have chlamydia, you can order a test kit to confirm.

How do I know if I have chlamydia?

Chlamydia can often be symptomless, especially in women. Therefore, the only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested. This can be done as a urine test or a swab. You can get tested by your doctor, at a sexual health clinic or using a home test kit which you can order online.

Symptoms of chlamydia can be different in men and women. In women, symptoms may include:

• Abnormal discharge (yellowish or with a strong smell)
• Abdominal pain & fever
• Painful sex
• Vaginal itching or burning
• Painful periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain during urination
• More frequent urination
• Swelling around the vagina or anus

In men, chlamydia symptoms may include:

• Pain during urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles (one or both)
• Burning or itching at the opening of their penis

Will the chlamydia infection come back after treatment?

Antibiotics are effective in curing chlamydia, but chlamydia in some cases does return following treatment. It is thought that the chlamydia infection hides away in the gut, re-emerging at a later date. However, most people who get another chlamydia infection after treatment are reinfected by a partner, infected by another sexual partner, or they did not take the medications correctly in the first place. To reduce the chances of recurrence, always read the patient information leaflet and ensure you follow the doctor’s instructions exactly. You should also use barrier methods of contraception i.e. condoms and ensure that your partners also get tested and receive treatment if required.

How to take Azithromycin

You should take Azithromycin according to the prescribing doctor’s instructions. The dosage varies for different infections and the age of the patient. For the treatment of chlamydia, the patient is usually advised to take 1g of in a single dose. You should only ever take antibiotic treatment exactly as prescribed. Failing to complete a course of antibiotics can result in antibiotic resistance, which can have dangerous repercussions for yourself and others. 

Chlamydia treatment dosage

For the treatment of chlamydia, take all four 250mg tablets together as  a  single  dose  as  soon  as  possible after being diagnosed with chlamydia. Please be aware that Azithromycin is not a preventative medication and you will still be contagious until one week after taking the single dose. In some cases, you may be prescribed an alternative chlamydia treatment. This may involve taking just two tablets together as a single dose, or taking two Doxycycline capsules for one week. Always follow the prescribing doctor’s instructions and ensure that you also read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication. If you experience nausea or vomiting side effects, you may want to take an anti-sickness medication, such as Avomine, to help reduce fluid loss and discomfort.

Azithromycin side effects

Common side effects of Azithromycin include:

• Abdominal pains
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Uncommon side effects include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Rash
• Liver Damage

Rare side effects include:

• Irregular heart rhythm or changes in heart rhythm
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Inflammation of the colon
• Severe skin reactions i.e. toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to Azithromycin or the inactive ingredients in the medication. Allergic reactions can present with:

• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Rash

If you experience any allergic symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention.

Drug interactions

There is some evidence to suggest that Azithromycin can interact with the following medicines:

• Abortion Drugs
• Acid Reflux Treatments
• Alpha Blockers
• Alzheimer’s Disease Medications
• Antiarrhythmics
• Anticoagulants
• Antidepressants
• Antidiarrhoeals
• Antiemetics
• Antifungals
• Antihistamines
• Antimalarials
• Antimicrobials
• Antimuscarinics
• Antipsychotics
• Antivirals
• Aquaretics
• Beta-2 Antagonists
• Blood Thinners
• Bronchodilators
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Chemotherapy Drugs
• Diuretics
• Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
• Erectile Dysfunction Medications
• Growth Hormone Inhibitors
• Heart Failure Medications
• High Blood Pressure Medications
• Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists
• HIV Medications
• Hypnotics
• Immunosuppressants
• Laxatives
• Macrolide Antibiotics
• Muscle Relaxants
• Oestrogens
• Opiates
• Protease Inhibitors
• Protein kinase inhibitors
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Smooth Muscle Relaxants
• Statins
• Steroids
• Thrombocytosis Medications
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Uric Acid Reducing Medications

Please note that Azithromycin may also interact with other substances, including recreational drugs, herbal treatments and some foods. If you are taking any medications, always inform your doctor and read the patient information leaflet before taking any new medication.

Azithromycin and alcohol

You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking Azithromycin. Alcohol does not reduce the effectiveness of treatment, but it can cause dehydration and temporarily compromise your liver function. These factors can result in increased side effects such as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache.

Is Azithromycin safe during pregnancy?

Existing research suggests that Azithromycin is safe to take during pregnancy and will not result in fetal abnormalities or adverse outcomes. If you are pregnant, it is always worth checking that no new research has been undertaken causing this advice to be changed.

Can I still have sex when taking Azithromycin?

You and your partner should avoid all sex without a condom until both of you have completed your course of treatment. If you have been prescribed the single 1g dose of Azithromycin, you should avoid sex without a condom for 1 week following when you first took the tablets.

Can you buy Azithromycin over the counter?

In 2008, the MHRA announced that Azithromycin would be made available over the counter as Clamelle. Clamelle is only available to people over 16, who have tested positive for Chlamydia and their sexual partners. Other doses of Azithromycin and Azithromycin for the treatment of other conditions are not available over the counter in the UK.

Is it safe to buy Azithromycin online?

It is safe to buy Azithromycin online from registered and regulated pharmacies. In the UK, you should look for:

• MHRA registration with green cross logo
• General Pharmaceutical Council registration with GPhC green cross logo
• General Medical Council registered doctors
• Connections to a bricks and mortar pharmacy
• Registered company with UK business address
• Website does not sell addictive drugs i.e. opiates
• Good customer service team
• Positive customer reviews
• Loads of patient information

What is Zithromax?

Zithromax is a brand of Azithromycin. Zithromax is a prescription-only antibiotic used to cure bacterial infection. Different Zithromax doses are issued for the treatment of different infections.

Sources

• BNF > Azithromycin
• The Pharmaceutical Journal > Azithromycin to be available over the counter for chlamydia treatment
• Wiley Online Library > Ethanol Feeding Does Not Affect the Efficacy or Pharmacokinetics of Azithromycin...