About Azithromycin

Azithromycin is an antibiotic medicine.

It's used to treat infections including:

• chest infections such as pneumonia
• ear, nose and throat infections such as sinus infections (sinusitis)
• skin infections
• Lyme disease
• some sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

It can also be used long-term to prevent chest infections if you keep getting them.

Azithromycin is from a group of medicines called macrolide antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that cause the infection.

Azithromycin is available on prescription as capsules, tablets and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.

Azithromycin also comes as eye drops to treat conjunctivitis. This use is not covered here.

Key facts

• You'll usually take azithromycin once a day. Try to take it at the same time each day.
• Take azithromycin capsules or tablets at least 1 hour before food or 2 hours after eating. You can take tablets or liquid with or without food.
• For most infections you should feel better within a few days, but it's important to finish your full course of antibiotics.
• Common side effects include feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, or changes to your sense of taste.
• If azithromycin makes you feel dizzy, do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
• Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like azithromycin.

Sexual Health Advice

• Sexual Health Advice - Introduction and Overview
• The MenB vaccine that helps protect against gonorrhoea
• Sexual Health - Mpox and its dangers for Gay Men
• What happens when you visit an STI Clinic
• Ejaculation issues are common sexual problems in men
• The Male Menopause for men in their late 40s to early 50s
• Help and care if you have been Sexually Assaulted
• Mental health issues and self-harm are common amongst gay men