How fast azithromycin works

Azithromycin oral is taken by mouth. Azithromycin injection is given as an infusion into a vein, usually for 2 days before you switch to azithromycin oral.

A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Shake the oral suspension liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device not a kitchen spoon. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused liquid medicine after 10 days. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. You should start to feel better within a few days of taking azithromycin, but this will depend on the type of infection you have.

Finish the whole course of azithromycin. Your dosage will depend on your medical condition, your age, the formulation of azithromycin you use, and other factors. A typical dosage of immediate-release azithromycin for adults might be milligrams mg a day on day one, followed by mg a day on days two to five. If your doctor prescribes the extended-release form of azithromycin, you may take 2 grams g once as a single dose.

Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Measure your dose correctly with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. You or your child must take this medicine within 12 hours after it has been mixed with water.

If your child does not use all of the medicine in the bottle, throw it away after you give the dose. Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you or your child feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon. These medicines may keep azithromycin from working properly. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.

The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.

However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. After water has been added to the powder, use the dose within 12 hours and throw away any unused liquid after your dose. Do not freeze the bottle.

Do not keep the oral liquid for more than 10 days. Throw away any unused liquid after all doses are completed. It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Treatment with an antibiotic can shorten the amount of time you have strep throat symptoms and decrease the spread of infection to other people.

Antibiotics can also prevent strep throat from turning into a more serious illness, such as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a disease that can damage your heart valves. Z-Pack is a form of the brand-name drug Zithromax, which contains the antibiotic azithromycin. Azithromycin is used to treat many different kinds of bacterial infections , including bronchitis and pneumonia.

The antibiotics amoxicillin or penicillin are most often used for this condition. That said, azithromycin or Z-Pack may be used to treat strep throat in certain cases. You can easily spread a strep throat infection through direct contact with mucus from your nose or throat, such as by coughing or sneezing. You can also spread it by drinking from the same glass as someone else or sharing a plate of food with them. If your doctor thinks azithromycin is a good choice for you, they may prescribe a generic version of azithromycin or a Z-Pack.

Each Z-Pack contains six milligram mg tablets of Zithromax. You would take two tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet daily for four days. A Z-Pack typically takes at least five days to fully work, but it can start to relieve your sore throat and other symptoms on the first day you take it.

If your doctor prescribes a generic version of azithromycin, your treatment may only last three days. Be sure to take your Z-Pack or generic azithromycin exactly as your doctor prescribes. People with decompensated uncontrolled heart failure are also at risk.

Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. One study in pregnant rats did show increased risk of fetal death and delays in development after birth.

Azithromycin does pass into the breast milk of lactating women. These side effects may include diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. Typical dosage is mg once per day for 3 days. Your doctor may also prescribe mg taken as a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5. Your doctor may prescribe mg taken in a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5.

Your doctor may prescribe mg in a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5. For treatment , typical dosage is mg once per day, taken with the drug ethambutol. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages.

Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Azithromycin is typically used for short-term treatment. For azithromycin to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. This may cause liver damage or an irregular heart rhythm. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember.

But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. If you take too much azithromycin, you could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. This may cause liver damage and irregular heart rhythm. A prescription for this medication is refillable.

You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.