This article describes azithromycin oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for azithromycin.
Azithromycin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Zithromax.
Azithromycin also comes in a liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) and a liquid for intravenous (IV) infusion, but those forms aren’t covered in this article. An IV infusion is an injection given into your vein over a period of time. Talk with your doctor for more information about those forms.
If you want to know more, see this azithromycin overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, and more.
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Form and strengths of azithromycin
Azithromycin oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 250 milligrams (mg), 500 mg
Dosage of azithromycin
This article describes the recommended dosages for azithromycin oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of azithromycin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Dosages of azithromycin in adults
Azithromycin is approved to treat the following infections caused by bacteria in adults:
- flare-ups of chronic bronchitis caused by a lung infection (“chronic” means long-term)
- sinus infections
- skin infections
- strep throat
- tonsillitis
- community-acquired pneumonia (“community acquired” means people get this lung infection where they live, not in a hospital)
- some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and chancroid (For treating chancroid, azithromycin is approved for use in males.)
Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.)
The recommended dosages of azithromycin will depend on your condition as outlined in the dosage chart below, expressed in milligrams (mg) and grams (g):
| Condition | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|
| flare-ups of chronic bronchitis | • 500 mg one time on day 1, followed by 250 mg once per day on days 2 through 5, or • 500 mg once per day for 3 days |
| sinus infection | • 500 mg once per day for 3 days |
| skin infection, strep throat, tonsillitis, or community-acquired pneumonia | • day 1: 500 mg one time • days 2 through 5: 250 mg once per day |
| chlamydia or chancroid | • 1 g one time |
| gonorrhea | • 2 g one time |
Dosages of azithromycin in children
Azithromycin is approved to treat the following infections caused by bacteria in certain children:
- ear infections in children ages 6 months and older
- sinus infections in children ages 6 months and older
- community-acquired pneumonia in children ages 6 months and older
- strep throat in children ages 2 years and older
- tonsillitis in children ages 2 years and older
The recommended children’s dosages depend on your child’s condition and body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosages in the following table are in milligrams per kg (mg/kg).
| Condition | Age | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|
| ear infection | 6 months and older | • 30 mg/kg one time, or • 10 mg/kg once per day for 3 days, or • 10 mg/kg one time on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg once per day on days 2 through 5 |
| sinus infection | 6 months and older | • 10 mg/kg once per day for 3 days |
| community-acquired pneumonia | 6 months and older | • day 1: 10 mg/kg one time • days 2 through 5: 5 mg/kg once per day |
| strep throat | 2 years and older | • 12 mg/kg once per day for 5 days |
| tonsillitis | 2 years and older | • 12 mg/kg once per day for 5 days |
As an example, a doctor prescribes azithromycin oral tablet for a child to treat strep throat. The child is 13 years of age and weighs 45 kg, which is about 99 lb. The child’s dosage would be 540 mg once per day for 5 days.
Dosage adjustments for azithromycin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of azithromycin oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- body weight, if prescribing to a child
Missed dose of azithromycin
If you miss a dose of azithromycin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to the time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. And do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose. If you’re not sure whether to take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help you remember to take your doses of azithromycin, see this article on medication reminder tips. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
How azithromycin is taken
You’ll swallow azithromycin oral tablet with or without food, usually once per day. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablet.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article for tips on how to swallow pills.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it. If needed, your doctor might consider prescribing the liquid suspension form of azithromycin. This is a liquid mixture that you swallow.
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Get free cardFrequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about azithromycin oral tablet and its dosage.
Can azithromycin be taken for urinary tract infections (UTIs)? If so, what’s the dosage?
Azithromycin is not approved to treat UTIs. But some doctors might prescribe it off-label. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or help prevent.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Is azithromycin taken long term?
No, doctors don’t usually prescribe azithromycin oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term treatment. You’ll likely take azithromycin for up to 5 days.
If you have questions about how long you should take azithromycin oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
Azithromycin coupon
Visit this azithromycin coupon page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for azithromycin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of azithromycin
It’s important that you do not take more azithromycin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of azithromycin overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
What to do if you take too much azithromycin
If you think you’ve taken too much azithromycin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.