Azithromycin is one of the world’s best-selling antibiotics, which is used to treat many bacterial infections. This article highlights some azithromycin side effects.
Azithromycin is an antibiotic drug sold in the United States as Zithromax, and most commonly prescribed for infections caused by bacteria. It works by preventing bacterial growth, which it’s able to carry out by inhibiting the bacteria’s ability to produce proteins. It was approved by the FDA in 1991. As with any drug, its side effects can be experienced by some people, although in most cases, they are minor and can be treated at home.
However, in certain cases, they may require urgent attention. A side effect in medicine is understood as an undesirable outcome that is caused as a result of medication or medical intervention. To understand the symptoms that you might experience and the severity level that requires professional medical care, the following paragraphs provide some guidelines.
Prescription
Zithromax is mainly prescribed for bacterial infections causing the following medical conditions:
- Laryngitis
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Sinus infections
- Chlamydia
- Middle ear infection
Minor Side Effects
Although the drug is tolerated well by most people, there may be a some who experience problems. Some of these problems include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal Pain
- Vomiting
- Mild diarrhea or watery stools
- Headaches
Severe Side Effects
In certain cases, some people may experience more severe reactions. In case, any of these show up, it is advisable to seek the advice of a health care professional immediately. The following are some serious ones categorized according to the body system they manifest in:
Cardiovascular: In rare cases, the side issues include chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms or irregular heartbeats, fast heart rhythms, and palpitations.
Neurological: These effects can manifest in the form of headaches, dizziness, loss of hearing or a ringing sound in the ears, vertigo, tingling or numbness in hands and/or feet, nervousness, and loss of consciousness.
Gastrointestinal: In this case, the problems most commonly affect the gastrointestinal system and cause severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain or stomach cramps, dehydration, and rarely, pancreatitis.
Dermatological: This medicine may also cause you to develop certain indications that show up on the skin. These are generally allergies that manifest in the form of itching, skin peeling, rashes, or hives. In extremely rare cases, they have caused severe skin disorders such as the Stevens Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening condition where the dermis and epidermis separate.
Renal: These include increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels.
To avoid complications, it’s a good practice to inform your doctor about any medication that you have previously had an allergic reaction to. It’s also imperative that you inform anyone prescribing drugs of any other medication that you are currently on. Azithromycin can have aftermaths that are more likely to appear in certain people, in the following situations:
- People suffering from kidney disease or with a history of kidney disease
- Pregnant women
- Breast feeding mothers
- Children less than six months of age
Certain drugs or contents of drugs, may also interfere with the working of this drug, which include the following:
- Ergotamine
- Antacids
- Magnesium
- Cyclosporine
- Warfarin
- Digoxin
Since you may not be aware of the contents of prescription drugs, the safest way to avoid issues is to inform your medical practitioner of any drugs that you have been taking. Sometimes, the combination of this drug with certain other medicines, including but not restricted to the above list, may cause a reaction within your body that can lead to medical complications.
As is the case with any other medication, it’s important to understand the symptoms to watch out for if you suspect that you may be experiencing any kind of side effects. Pay attention to your body, and remember to inform a health care professional if you exhibit symptoms that seem out of the ordinary.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
