Generic name: Azithromycin Oral Suspension [ az-ith-roe-MYE-sin ]
Brand name: Zithromax
Drug class: Macrolides

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 17, 2023.

Uses of Azithromycin Oral Suspension:

• It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Azithromycin Oral Suspension?

• If you have an allergy to azithromycin or any other part of azithromycin oral suspension.
• If you are allergic to azithromycin oral suspension; any part of azithromycin oral suspension; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have turned yellow or had liver side effects with azithromycin oral suspension before.
• If you have any of these health problems: Long QTc on ECG or other heartbeat that is not normal, slow heartbeat, or low potassium or magnesium levels.
• If you have heart failure (weak heart).
• If you have ever had a certain type of abnormal heartbeat (torsades de pointes).
• If you are taking any drugs that can cause a certain type of heartbeat that is not normal (prolonged QT interval). There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with azithromycin oral suspension.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take azithromycin oral suspension with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Azithromycin Oral Suspension?

For all patients taking azithromycin oral suspension:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take azithromycin oral suspension. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause a type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). If this happens, the chance of other unsafe and sometimes deadly abnormal heartbeats may be raised.
• If you have myasthenia gravis, talk with your doctor. Call your doctor if your signs get worse. Signs of myasthenia gravis have also happened in people who do not have it. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worse muscle weakness, trouble chewing or swallowing, trouble breathing, droopy eyelids, or change in eyesight like blurred eyesight or seeing double.
• If you are 65 or older, use azithromycin oral suspension with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Newborns:

• A very bad stomach problem has happened in newborns taking azithromycin oral suspension. Call the doctor right away if your child throws up or gets irritable with feeding.

How is this medicine (Azithromycin Oral Suspension) best taken?

Use azithromycin oral suspension as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Do not take antacids that have magnesium or aluminum at the same time as azithromycin oral suspension. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Keep taking azithromycin oral suspension as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Shake well before use.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with azithromycin oral suspension. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure azithromycin oral suspension.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

albuterol, prednisone, amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, azithromycin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, clindamycin

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Change in hearing.
• Fever.
• Swollen gland.
• Change in eyesight.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with azithromycin oral suspension. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Azithromycin Oral Suspension?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Azithromycin Oral Suspension?

• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any unused portion after 10 days.
• Store in original container.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about azithromycin oral suspension, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

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View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer