Azithromycin

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that effectively treats bacterial infections such as:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• urethritis in men
• ureaplasma
• mycoplasma genitalium (when combined with Doxycycline)

It works by killing or stopping the spread of bacteria. It stays in the system longer than other antibiotics, so the treatment course is shorter. However, it is just as effective.

Please note: This medicine is generally recommended as a second-line treatment if the first-line treatment Doxycycline has not worked.

If you have mycoplasma genitalium, a pack containing both Azithromycin and Doxycycline is the first line of treatment.

Azithromycin is a type of antibiotic called a macrolide. This means it stops the growth of bacteria. It does this by preventing the bacteria from making essential cells they need to reproduce. This eventually kills the bacteria causing the infection.

Azithromycin is available at HealthExpress as a 500mg dose. You can take tablets with or without food. Drink half a glass of water with each tablet.

How you will take it depends on the infection you have. Please follow your doctor's advice on when and how often to take it. It's also recommended you get retested two weeks after you finish your treatment to ensure the infection has cleared.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If you have missed a dose and it's already time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your course from the next scheduled dose.

You must complete the entire treatment course, even if you start to feel better. Finishing a course of antibiotics too soon can cause the infection to come back and become harder to treat.

If you find this medication does not clear your infection, please visit your doctor. They may wish to prescribe a different course of treatment and investigate your condition further.

How do I take it alongside Doxycycline?

For the treatment of mycoplasma genitalium, you must take both Azithromycin and Doxycycline.

However, you do not take both antibiotics on the same days. The course begins with 7 days of Doxycycline, followed by 3 days of Azithromycin.

Take the tablets with water and wait 12 hours between doses.

Just like all medications, Azithromycin can cause some side effects. However, not everyone will experience these side effects and they will vary in severity.

Usually, any reactions are mild and disappear on their own during the continuation of the treatment.

Some of the most common side effects include:

• decreased appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling or being sick
• dizziness
• stomach pain or upset
• headache
• sight, hearing or taste changes
• insomnia
• skin reactions
• tiredness
• joint pain

Stop taking this medication and speak to your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include skin rashes, swelling of the throat, face and mouth, and difficulty breathing.

If you experience persistent or worrying side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

When taking Azithromycin, avoid alcohol. The combination of the two can increase the likelihood of adverse effects. This medication can also cause dizziness. Wait to see how it affects you before driving or operating machinery.

You should also be cautious if you have any preexisting medical conditions. Check with your doctor before taking it if you have:

• severe kidney or liver problems
• severe heart problems
• low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
• signs of another infection
• a condition that causes muscle weakness
• a mental health disorder

This medicine may react with other medicines you already take. If you take any of the following, tell your doctor:

• antacids - used for heartburn and indigestion
• statins - used for lowering cholesterol levels
• medications that thin the blood
• certain medicines for migraine
• medicine used for HIV
• medicine that prevents organ rejection
• certain heart medications

Ensure you read the patient information leaflet for a list of all the precautions. If you're not sure, ask your healthcare provider.

You can buy Azithromycin safely online at HealthExpress to treat chlamydia and other bacterial infections.

All you have to do is complete a quick online medical questionnaire. Once completed, one of our online UK-registered doctors will review it to ensure the treatment is safe for you to take. Then, your order will be delivered to your address in discreet packaging with free next-day delivery.