Precautions and Warnings With Zithromax

A few of the conditions you should let your healthcare provider know about prior to taking Zithromax include liver disease or failure, allergies to medications, and any heart problems. People who are allergic to Zithromax, related medications (such as clarithromycin or erythromycin), or any inactive ingredients used in making Zithromax should not take Zithromax at all. Some other precautions and warnings with Zithromax to be aware of include potential drug interactions, the risk of severe diarrhea in some people taking Zithromax, and the safety of taking this medicine while pregnant or nursing.

Zithromax: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Zithromax® (azithromycin) if you:
 
  • Have liver disease or failure
  • Have kidney disease or failure
  • Have any heart problems
  • Have myasthenia gravis 
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have any allergies to medications
  • Will be having any surgery.
     
Also tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, oral contraceptive, blood-thinners, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Some Precautions and Warnings With Zithromax

Some precautions and warnings to be aware of with Zithromax include:
 
  • Zithromax can interact with certain other medications (see Zithromax Drug Interactions).
     
  • Zithromax is considered pregnancy Category B medicine. This means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. When studied in animals, however, Zithromax showed no negative effects on unborn babies. Before using Zithromax, let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
     
  • If you have severe kidney disease, your healthcare provider may choose to lower the dose of Zithromax normally given or opt to not prescribe this medication at all.
     
  • If you have severe liver disease, your healthcare provider may choose to lower the dose of Zithromax normally given or not prescribe this medication at all.
     
  • Zithromax is known to pass through breast milk. Therefore, if you are nursing and taking Zithromax, it is recommended that you stop nursing.
     
  • Many antibiotics, including Zithromax, have been known to cause pseudomembranous colitis (severe diarrhea). If you experience severe, watery diarrhea; blood in your stools; stomach pain; and/or a low-grade fever while taking Zithromax, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
     
  • Other infections have been known to occur during treatment with antibiotics. If you are taking Zithromax and you notice any symptoms unrelated to the condition you are being treated for, talk with your healthcare provider.
     
  • Taking Zithromax has been known to increase the chance of developing oral and vaginal yeast infections.

 

 

  • Never take outdated Zithromax. Taking any outdated medication may cause serious problems because the intended effects often change after expiration.
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Zithromax Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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