Why does zithromax cause diarrhea

Serious side effects can include:. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room. Taking it again could cause death. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Azithromycin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins , or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully.

Taking azithromycin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. Examples of drugs that interact with azithromycin include:. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Taking it again could be fatal cause death. For people with myasthenia gravis: If you have myasthenia gravis, taking this drug may worsen your symptoms. Be sure to discuss your condition with your doctor before taking azithromycin. For people with certain heart problems: If you have an abnormal heart rhythm, including a condition called QT prolongation, taking this drug can increase your risk of having an arrhythmia that may be fatal. People with decompensated uncontrolled heart failure are also at risk.

Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. One study in pregnant rats did show increased risk of fetal death and delays in development after birth. Azithromycin does pass into the breast milk of lactating women. These side effects may include diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:.

Typical dosage is mg once per day for 3 days. Your doctor may also prescribe mg taken as a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5. Your doctor may prescribe mg taken in a single dose on day 1, followed by mg once per day on days 2 through 5.

It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you or your child have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor. This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription over-the-counter [OTC] medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.

These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients.

If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Drugs and Supplements Azithromycin Oral Route. It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If you or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you take this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. Call your child's doctor right away if your child feels irritable or vomits after feeding.

These may be symptoms of a condition called infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. However, if dairy gives you stomach problems, go easy on other dairy foods while taking antibiotics. That means the foods that cause you stomach problems may be fine for someone else, so trust your gut. If spicy foods are normally a culprit for upset stomachs, avoid them when taking antibiotics. If sugar is your trigger, watch your sweet tooth.

And although fiber is normally important for digestion, you may need to slow down your consumption if diarrhea flares up while you are taking antibiotics. Check the label on your antibiotics. Does it recommend taking them with food or on an empty stomach? In either case, follow the directions. Beyond the specifics above, good old-fashioned advice for treating diarrhea still applies.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and use rehydrating beverages high in electrolytes if needed. Keep in mind alcohol may actually cause severe reactions while you are taking certain antibiotics, so check the label for that information, as well.