What is the dosage and how should it be used?

This medication comes in the form of a capsule, tablet, suspension or an injection. The dosage your doctor prescribes to you will depend on your medical problem and symptoms.

FOR THE CAPSULE DOSAGE FORM

For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through to five.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

For chlamydia infections:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

NOTE: Azithromycin capsules should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals.

FOR THE TABLET DOSAGE FORM

For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For chlamydia infections:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1200 mg once a week.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

NOTE: Azithromycin tablets may be taken with or without food.

FOR THE ORAL SUSPENSION DOSAGE FORM

For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections:
- Adults and adolescents - 1 gram taken once as a single dose.
- Children 6 months to 12 years of age - Use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

For gonococcal infections:
- Adults and adolescents - 2 grams taken once as a single dose.
- Children 6 months to 12 years of age - Use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

For otitis media and pneumonia:
- Children 6 months to 12 years of age - 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on the first day, then 5 mg per kg (2.2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on days two through to five.

For strep throat:
- Adults and adolescents - The oral suspension is usually not used. Refer to azithromycin capsules or tablets.
- Children 2 to 12 years of age - 12 mg per kg (5.4 mg per pound) of body weight once a day for five days.
- Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

NOTE: Azithromycin pediatric oral suspension should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals.

FOR INJECTION DOSAGE FORM

For pelvic inflammatory disease:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams (mg) once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For pneumonia:
- Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 mg once a day for at least two days, injected into a vein.
- Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking azithromycin for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

FDA Information

Why is this medication prescribed?

Other uses for this medicine

What special precautions should I follow?

What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause?

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

In case of an emergency/overdose