Azithromycin is a medication used to manage bacterial infections of the skin, lungs and ears. According to Drugs.com, azithromycin can also treat sexually transmitted diseases, tonsillitis and middle ear infections. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that works to destroy the invading bacteria in your body. This medication is available as a tablet and as an oral suspension. Its dosage depends on your medical ailment.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, azithromycin's common side effects include nausea, constipation, vomiting and diarrhea. Excessive bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration and hypokalemia, a condition in which the potassium levels in your blood are extremely low. Drink about 10 glasses of water daily to replace the water lost. Eat foods rich in potassium such as bananas, raisins and apricots. Azithromycin can also cause headache, stomach pain, hearing problems, trouble sleeping and nervousness. Fortunately, these effects are benign and should disappear within three to five days. Call your doctor if these side effects fail to abate within six days.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that azithromycin can provoke pseudomembranous colitis. This is an antibiotic-induced diarrhea that causes foul-smelling stool, stomach pain and nausea. Stop azithromycin and call your doctor, as he will provide you with another antibiotic medication called metronidazole. Azithromycin can also cause trouble breathing, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and a severe skin rash, according to MedlinePlus. Jaundice is indicative of liver damage. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these side effects.
Additional Concerns
Avoid azithromycin if you are hypersensitive to it or any other macrolide antibiotics. You may develop difficulty breathing, hives and swelling of your tongue or face. Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney or heart disease, as it may be necessary to adjust azithromycin's dose to prevent you from exhibiting the aforementioned side effects. Avoid combining azithromycin with such drugs as digoxin, carbamezapine, warfarin and triazolam, says Drugs.com. This may lead to the aforementioned effects.
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