Azithromycin 500mg Tablets

Azithromycin is used to treat sexual infections

Azithromycin is a type of antibiotic known as a macrolide-type antibiotic. These antibiotics work by stopping protein production in bacteria, preventing them from growing and replicating. This means that a bacterial infection can no longer spread and the immune system will eventually kill it off.

As a broad-spectrum antibiotic, azithromycin is effective against a large variety of different bacteria. There are many uses for azithromycin: it is highly effective in treating infections in the skin, ears, soft tissue, airways, and it can also be used to treat the sexually transmitted infection, chlamydia.

Sometimes, a doctor may take a tissue sample to ensure that a specific bacterial infection is vulnerable to azithromycin before prescribing it.

It is easy to order azithromycin online; to place an order, you just need to complete a brief medical questionnaire. One of our doctors will then review your order and approve it in order to prescribe azithromycin for treatment of your sexual infection, as long as Doxycycline (the first choice antibiotic for chlamydia) would be unsuitable.

A chlamydia test kit can be ordered here.

How azithromycin treats chlamydia

Chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics. The two most common types of antibiotics used to treat chlamydia are azithromycin and doxycycline. Both combat the infection in the same way, by preventing the bacteria from reproducing.

A course of antibiotics successfully treats chlamydia 95% of the time if the prescriptions instructions are correctly followed. Always read the information guidelines before taking this medication.

The dosage of azithromycin to treat chlamydia has been recently updated in the UK and is two 500mg tablets to be taken at the same time for one day, then one tablet once daily for two days. Doxycycline, the first-line treatment for chlamydia, is normally prescribed in a longer course, of one capsule twice daily for a week.

A different antibiotic may be prescribed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have had chlamydia for a long time. Always complete a course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms appear to have gone.

When will a doctor prescribe azithromycin for you?

If you believe you have chlamydia, get tested right away. The test can be taken at any time, but if you have engaged in unprotected sex within two weeks before taking the test you may want to take a further test at a later time. The test is normally a simple urine or swab test.

For most people (9 out of 10), the chlamydia test is accurate. Cases of false positives or negatives are very rare. Most sexual health clinics or GPs offer to test for free, but you can also buy a test online to be taken at home. The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) offers free testing at pharmacies for those under twenty-five.

For men, the test is almost always a simple urine sample. For women, a urine test is possible but normally a swab test is used.

A doctor may suggest a swab test in the rectum or throat if you have engaged in unprotected oral or anal sex. An eyelid swab may be called for if there are symptoms present in the eyes.

If there is a very high risk of chlamydia, for example, if you have been engaging in unprotected sex with a partner who has chlamydia, a doctor may prescribe a course of treatment before the test results return. If your test results confirm that you have chlamydia, your doctor will prescribe doxycycline or another medication such as azithromycin (if doxycycline is unsuitable) to treat your sexual infection.

It is not suitable for our medical team to prescribe Azithromycin to treat chlamydia for you if:

• you have severe liver or kidney problems.
• you have severe heart problems or problems with your heart beat such as long QT syndrome (shown on an electro-cardiogram or ECG machine).
• your blood levels of potassium or magnesium are too low.
• you develop signs of another infection.
• you are taking any ergot derivatives such as ergotamine (to treat migraine).
• you have a certain type of muscle weakness called myasthenia gravis.
• you have nervous (neurological) or mental (psychiatric) problems.

If any of the above conditions apply you should see your GP for advice and treatment of chlamydia.

If you notice blood in your stool, or suffer with fever, chills, or severe headache your infection may be more serious and you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If symptoms include a thick or bloody discharge from the penis with soreness or inflammation in men or women with heavy offensive vaginal discharge or irregular bleeding and low abdominal pain, you should see your GP as this could indicate a more serious infection.

• Take TWO Azithromycin 500mg tablets as a single dose for one day, then 500mg orally once daily for two days.
• You should take Azithromycin as soon as possible after a positive chlamydia test by you or one of your sexual partners.
• Azithromycin tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.
• Do not have sex for SEVEN days after treatment.
• Current UK guidelines do not recommend that you test for chlamydia test again after treatment.

Each Azithromycin tablet contains the active ingredient azithromycin dihydrate 500mg.

Each tablet also contains: Core: croscarmellose sodium (E468), magnesium stearate (E572), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), silicium dioxide, (E551), poloxamer, povidone (E1201), talc, and waterfree lactose. Coating: hypromellose (E464), hydroxypropylcellulose, macrogol and titanium dioxide (E171).

Like all medicines, Azithromycin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Side effects can include:

• nausea & diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• flatulence

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a severe allergic reaction to Azithromycin, stop taking it and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital.

• Sudden difficulty in breathing, speaking and swallowing.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face and neck.
• Extreme dizziness or collapse.
• Severe or itchy skin rash, especially if this shows blistering and there is soreness of the eyes, mouth or genital organs.

The following are serious side effects that occur in a very small minority of patients. If you experience any of the following side effects you should see your GP as soon as possible.

• Diarrhoea that is serious, lasts a long time or has blood in it, with stomach pain or fever. This can be a sign of a serious bowel inflammation. This is something that can rarely happen after taking antibiotics
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes caused by liver problems
• Inflammation of the pancreas, which causes severe pain in the abdomen and back
• Increased or reduced urine output, or traces of blood in your urine
• Skin rash caused by sensitivity to sunlight
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Irregular heartbeat.

Please read the patient information leaflet that comes with your Azithromycin tablets before you take them for full information on side effects.