Zithromax® Tablets for Bacterial Infections

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections. This page helps you understand uses, dosing basics, safety, and how to access supply with US shipping from Canada, even without insurance.

What Zithromax Is and How It Works

Zithromax® contains azithromycin, a macrolide that blocks bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 50S ribosomal subunit. It slows the growth of susceptible organisms in the respiratory tract, skin, ear, and genital tract. Azithromycin also covers certain atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydophila.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing.

Azithromycin treats labeled conditions including acute bacterial sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, acute otitis media in children, and urethritis or cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis. Your prescriber will determine if this medicine fits your diagnosis and medical history. When appropriate, it may be used as an alternative when other antibiotics are not suitable.

For broader context on related options, you can browse our Antibiotics category.

Who It’s For

This treatment is for adults and children with susceptible bacterial infections confirmed or strongly suspected by a prescriber. It is not for viral illnesses such as the common cold or influenza. Azithromycin for strep throat may be considered for patients who cannot take first-line beta-lactams, guided by local resistance patterns.

Do not use it if you have had a severe allergy to macrolides or ketolides. People with known QT prolongation, certain arrhythmias, low potassium or magnesium, or significant liver disease should discuss risks with a prescriber. Pediatric use depends on age, weight, and infection type. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should review benefits and risks.

Learn more about these conditions in our resources on Bacterial Infection, Respiratory Infection, and Acute Bronchitis.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescription exactly. Many regimens are once daily for a short course, while some indications use a single dose. A typical schedule may start with a higher first dose followed by lower daily doses, or a single-day treatment for specific sexually transmitted infections. Pediatric dosing is weight based.

Take tablets with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, taking with a light meal or snack may help. Avoid taking antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium at the same time; separate by at least two hours. Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not share this medicine or save leftover doses for future illness.

Adherence matters. Complete the full course, even if symptoms improve early. Stopping too soon may allow bacteria to persist and can contribute to resistance.

Strengths and Forms

Availability varies by supplier and market. Common options include:

• Azithromycin tablets in 250 mg and 500 mg strengths
• Powder for oral suspension (for example, 100 mg/5 mL or 200 mg/5 mL after reconstitution)

Azithromycin tablets are well suited to adults and older children who can swallow pills. Liquids help younger children or those who have difficulty swallowing. Your prescriber will choose a suitable form and quantity based on the infection.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a once-daily dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. If your regimen is a single-dose therapy and you miss it, take it as soon as possible on the same day and contact your prescriber if unsure.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in a dry place, away from excess heat and humidity, and out of reach of children. Keep in the original container until use. If you receive a liquid, follow the pharmacist’s label for storage and shelf life once mixed. Azithromycin oral suspension should be used and discarded according to the instructions provided with your prescription.

When traveling, pack this medicine in carry-on luggage with a copy of your prescription. Keep it in original packaging with your name. Do not store in a car glove box or other places prone to heat. Use a child-resistant container and keep the cap closed tightly.

Benefits

As a macrolide, this therapy offers once-daily dosing for many indications and relatively short courses. It has activity against several respiratory pathogens, including atypicals. A liquid form can make pediatric dosing easier. The treatment can be an option for people who cannot use certain beta-lactam antibiotics, when guided by susceptibility and local guidelines.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, and Azithromycin diarrhea. Some people report headache or mild rash. Taking doses with a light snack may reduce stomach upset.

Serious but uncommon risks include severe allergic reactions, liver impairment, and heart rhythm changes such as QT prolongation. Seek urgent care for fainting, rapid heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or persistent watery stools that contain blood or mucus. Contact your prescriber if side effects are severe or do not improve after completing therapy.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take. Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium can reduce absorption if taken together. Drugs that prolong the QT interval, such as certain antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, or fluoroquinolones, may increase rhythm risk. Warfarin and other anticoagulants may require closer monitoring. Interactions with digoxin, cyclosporine, and some HIV medicines have been reported.

Ergot derivatives are contraindicated with macrolides. Use caution with severe hepatic disease. People with myasthenia gravis should be monitored, as macrolides may worsen symptoms. For more details, see our overview on Drug Interactions.

What to Expect Over Time

Symptoms may begin to improve a few days after starting therapy, depending on the infection and site. Continue the full course to reduce the risk of relapse. If your condition worsens, if fever persists, or if new symptoms appear, contact your healthcare professional. After finishing therapy, discard any leftover liquid and keep follow-up appointments if scheduled.

Compare With Alternatives

For some diagnoses, your prescriber may consider other macrolides or different classes. Clarithromycin is another macrolide that can be used for similar respiratory and skin infections; see M Clarithromycin for details. Doxycycline is a tetracycline used for respiratory infections, certain skin infections, and tick-borne illnesses; see Doxycyclin.

For short-course convenience, some patients are prescribed an Azithromycin Z Pack when appropriate. Selection depends on organism susceptibility, medical history, drug interactions, and local resistance patterns. Your prescriber will decide what best fits your situation.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada can help many patients manage out-of-pocket spending. Check current pricing on this page, compare quantities, and review available forms. If you use coupons, see our Promotions page for current offers. Our encrypted checkout helps protect your information during purchase.

If your insurance does not cover this medicine, ask your prescriber about options such as generic forms, larger fills when appropriate, or alternative therapies based on susceptibility and guidelines.

Availability and Substitutions

Stock may vary by strength and form. If a specific presentation is unavailable, your prescriber may suggest a therapeutically appropriate alternative from the same or a different antibiotic class. We do not provide restock dates, but you can check back for updates or ask your prescriber about comparable options if timing is important.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This medicine may suit adults or children with susceptible bacterial infections when guided by diagnosis and local resistance data. It may not be appropriate for people with significant liver disease, a history of severe macrolide allergy, or cardiac rhythm concerns. Share your full medication list and health history with your prescriber before starting therapy.

To help manage costs, consider a multi-month supply when clinically appropriate for recurrent indications, and set refill reminders so you never run out mid-course. Compare forms to see which presentation offers the best value per dose for your prescription. Discuss with your prescriber whether a different antibiotic class would provide similar benefits at a lower overall cost based on culture results and guidelines.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Infection fit: Which infections does this antibiotic reliably treat in my case?
• Course length: How many days should I take it, and should I finish all doses?
• Food timing: Should I take each dose with food or on an empty stomach?
• Interactions: Do any of my current medicines raise rhythm or liver risks?
• Monitoring: What symptoms should prompt a call or follow-up visit?
• Alternatives: If this isn’t suitable, which options could work instead?
• Prevention: Are vaccines or non-drug steps recommended to reduce recurrence?

Authoritative Sources

FDA DailyMed: Azithromycin

Pfizer: Zithromax Product Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Azithromycin

Ready to proceed? Add your prescription and complete checkout for Ships from Canada to US with prompt shipping and temperature-controlled handling when required. This page is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice; always follow your prescriber’s directions.