Azithromycin is a generic antibiotic drug that’s often prescribed to treat bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, throat, ear, sinuses, and reproductive organs. It is also available as the brand-name medication Zithromax.
Although you typically take azithromycin only for a short period of time — generally 1 to 5 days — it can continue working in your body for quite some time after you’ve taken it.
How long azithromycin will stay in your system is determined by its half-life. This is the amount of time it takes your body to remove half of the original dose of the medication. It usually takes 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to completely leave your body.
With azithromycin, each half-life can last around 68 hours, which is just under 3 days. So, if it takes 4 to 5 half-lives for your body to completely remove a drug, it could take 11 to 14 days from your last dose before you don’t have any azithromycin in your system.
What can affect how long azithromycin stays in your system?
Certain factors can affect how long azithromycin stays in your system, including:
- Other health conditions: If you have liver or kidney disease, azithromycin may take longer to clear out of your body.
- Your age: As you get older, it may take longer for your liver to clear medications from your system.
- Your metabolism: If you have a slower or faster metabolism than most people, it may affect how quickly your body breaks down and clears azithromycin from your system.
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How long does azithromycin take to work?
Azithromycin starts to work as soon as you take it. But you likely won’t start feeling better right away. It may take a couple of days before you start noticing relief in your symptoms. If your symptoms don’t get better or worsen, let your doctor know.
It’s important to finish your full course of azithromycin, even if you feel better. Don’t stop taking it unless you have severe side effects. Stopping too early can cause your symptoms to come back.
What are the side effects of azithromycin?
The most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. These are usually temporary and mild.
Get immediate medical attention if you have severe side effects, such as:
- severe stomach pain or cramps
- severe or bloody diarrhea
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- hives, itching, rash, or skin blisters
- difficulty breathing
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
How does azithromycin work to kill infections?
Azithromycin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics work by destroying the bacteria causing infection or by interfering with the way bacteria grow and multiply. It does this by attacking the outer wall of the bacterial cells. It also stops the bacteria from producing certain proteins that it needs to survive and grow.
Because azithromycin is designed to fight off bacteria, it isn’t effective at treating infections that viruses cause, such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. It also isn’t effective at treating fungal infections.
Taking antibiotic drugs when you don’t need them can lead to antibiotic resistance. If you get a bacterial infection in the future, it could be harder to treat the infection with antibiotics because your body has built up a resistance to these drugs.
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Get free cardWhat is the typical dosage?
If your doctor prescribes azithromycin, you’ll likely take it by mouth as a tablet or liquid. It also comes in an intravenous (IV) solution, which a medical professional will administer in a healthcare setting.
The dosage of azithromycin oral tablet for adults will depend on the type of infection you have. Here are some of the most commonly prescribed dosages for specific types of bacterial infections.
- Chronic bronchitis: 500 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg once per day on days 2 through 5. Or you may need to take 500 mg once per day for 3 days.
- Skin infection, strep throat, tonsillitis, or community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg taken as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg once per day on days 2 through 5.
- Sinus infection: 500 mg taken once per day for 3 days.
- Chlamydia or chancroid: 1 gram (g) taken one time.
- Gonorrhea: 2 g taken one time.
Your doctor will determine the dosage of azithromycin that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Azithromycin dosage for children
The dosage of azithromycin for a child depends on the child’s weight as well as the condition that azithromycin is being used to treat.
Summary
Azithromycin is a generic antibiotic medication that doctors prescribe to treat various bacterial infections. It typically stays in your system for about 11 to 14 days after your last dose. However, depending on your overall health, age, and metabolism, it could take more or less time for your body to clear it.
If you want to know more about azithromycin, how it works, and how long it stays in your system, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.