Azithromycin Viatris Tablets (Azithromycin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Azithromycin Viatris Tablets Used For?
Azithromycin Viatris is an antibiotic medication that treats bacterial infections in different parts of your body.
Primary Uses
This medication is commonly used to treat Chlamydia infections. It’s also used to treat other bacterial infections throughout the body and to prevent infections caused by Mycobacterium Avium-intracellulare Complex (MAC) in certain patients.
How It Works
Azithromycin works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called azalides, which are part of the macrolide family. This medication will not work against viral infections like colds or flu.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
How to Take Azithromycin Viatris Tablets
Follow all directions given by your doctor or pharmacist carefully, as they may differ from general information.
Dosage Instructions
The dose depends on your infection. For Chlamydia, the usual dose is two 500 mg tablets taken as a single dose. For other infections, it’s usually taken once daily, sometimes once weekly. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food. If you need antacids, take them at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after your azithromycin dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you’re taking azithromycin for three days or longer and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember (within 24 hours), then continue as normal. Don’t take extra doses to make up for missed ones.
Important: Complete the full course even if you feel better. Stopping early may cause the infection to return or not clear completely.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
- vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina with white discharge)
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain
- indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea
- dizziness, headache, spinning sensation
- tiredness, drowsiness, fatigue
- muscle or joint aches
- rash
- hearing loss or ringing in ears
- altered taste and smell
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe persistent diarrhea
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- sunburn symptoms (redness, itching, swelling, blistering)
- decreased skin sensitivity
- hives, itching, skin rash
- widespread body rash with fever and swollen lymph nodes
- aggressive reaction, nervousness, agitation, anxiety
- easy bleeding or bruising, purplish blotches under skin
- frequent infections with fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers
- dark urine or blood in urine/bowel movements
- severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- sudden allergy signs (rash, swelling, breathing trouble)
- skin blisters or ulcers after fever
- bloody diarrhea with stomach pain and fever
- yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice)
- chest pain, shortness of breath
- jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder pain
- sudden dizziness, cold sweats
- numbness or weakness in face, arm, or leg
- trouble speaking or understanding speech
- vision problems, trouble walking, loss of balance
- fainting, convulsions
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking this medication.
Who Should Not Take Azithromycin Viatris Tablets
Don’t take this medication if you’re allergic to azithromycin, other macrolide or ketolide antibiotics (like clarithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, telithromycin), or any ingredients in the tablets. Don’t use if the medication is expired or the packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, kidney problems, heart problems including rhythm abnormalities, diabetes, hereditary fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, saccharase-isomaltase deficiency, cystic fibrosis, muscle weakness, or low potassium or magnesium levels.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with azithromycin or increase the risk of side effects.
Birth Control: Discuss additional contraception needs with your doctor, as some antibiotics may decrease birth control pill effectiveness.
- antacids (indigestion medicines)
- colchicine (gout medicine)
- coumarin-type oral anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- ciclosporin (immune system medicine)
- digoxin (heart rhythm medicine)
- ergot derivatives like ergotamine (migraine medicine)
- terfenadine or astemizole (allergy medicines)
- zidovudine (AIDS medicine)
- diphenoxylate/Lomotil (diarrhea medicine)
- heart rhythm medicines like amiodarone, disopyramide, ibutilide, sotalol
- antipsychotic medicines like haloperidol, quetiapine, risperidone
- antidepressants like fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine
- fluoroquinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin
Alcohol & Driving
This medication has specific precautions regarding sun exposure but generally doesn’t affect driving ability.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Sun Exposure
Protect your skin from sun exposure, especially between 10am and 3pm. This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, potentially causing rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn. Wear protective clothing and use 30+ sunscreen when outdoors.
Storage
Keep tablets in their original packaging until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, on windowsills, or in cars, as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much azithromycin, immediately call your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 764 766) even if there are no symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention. Taking too many tablets may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, or skin rashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your infection symptoms don’t improve within a few days or become worse, contact your doctor. The medication works by killing or stopping bacterial growth, but improvement timing varies by infection type.
Yes, you can take azithromycin with or without food. However, if you need antacids, take them at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after your azithromycin dose.
No, this medicine is not addictive according to the prescribing information.
Don’t stop taking the medication or lower the dose without checking with your doctor. If you don’t complete the full course, the infection may not clear completely or may return because not all bacteria causing the infection will be killed.
If you’re taking azithromycin for three days or longer and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember within 24 hours, then continue as normal. Don’t take extra doses to make up for missed ones.
Be careful with sun exposure, especially between 10am and 3pm. This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing and use 30+ sunscreen when outdoors. Tell your doctor immediately if your skin appears to be burning.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse immediately if you get severe diarrhea, even if it occurs weeks after stopping the medication. This could indicate a serious bowel condition requiring urgent medical care. Don’t take diarrhea medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.