Azithromycin (Z-Pack)
250 mg
Stop: Call 911 or get emergency help
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat; fainting; rash or hives; trouble breathing; yellow eyes or skin; or a lot of watery diarrhea that will not stop; blood in your poop.
Seek medical help first
Use this information only if you are unable to contact your provider. Then, contact your provider as soon as possible.
What it may treat & how much to take
- 1
Traveler's diarrhea
3+ loose stools/day with cramps, sick stomach, or fever.
Take 2 tablets now, then 2 tablets 12 hours later.
- 2
Sinus infection
>10 days not better; better then worse; OR ≥3 days high fever + thick mucus + bad face pain.
Take 2 tablets once a day for 3 days.
- 3
Lung infection (pneumonia)
Cough, fever, short of breath, or pain when breathing.
Day 1: 2 tablets. Days 2–5: 1 tablet daily. Do not take more than one antibiotic unless directed.
- 4
Strep throat
Sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, no cough.
If allergic to penicillin: Day 1, 2 tablets; Days 2–5, 1 tablet daily.
- 5
COPD flare-up
COPD with thicker/more/yellow-green mucus, worsening cough or fever.
Take 2 tablets once daily for 3 days. Keep using inhalers.
How to take it
With or without food. Take at the same time daily. Separate magnesium/aluminum antacids by 2 hours. Finish the course.
Important information
Pneumonia can be serious. For traveler's diarrhea, drink fluids and try loperamide first unless blood or fever.
Common side effects
Loose stools, upset stomach, belly pain, vomiting. The 1,000 mg dose often causes a short bout of nausea.
Do not take if
Allergic to azithromycin, erythromycin, or clarithromycin; or prior liver trouble from this drug.
Ask your provider or pharmacist first if
Heart rhythm problems, low potassium/magnesium, or heart-rhythm medicines. Ask before combining with ondansetron, loperamide, fluconazole, or ciprofloxacin.
If pregnant or breastfeeding
Used for years in pregnancy without links to birth defects or miscarriage. Tell your doctor if pregnant or nursing.