What is Azithromycin?
Azithromycin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat various infections including sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. The branded version of this medication is known as Zithromax.
How effective is Azithromycin in treating Chlamydia?
Azithromycin is a highly effective antibiotic for the treatment of Chlamydia. When taken correctly, this antibiotic has been found to be successful in treating Chlamydial infection in up to 95% of all cases.
Azithromycin works to destroy bacteria responsible for the infection by stopping them from producing the proteins they need to survive. Also this antibiotic remains in the body for a long period of time to prevent recolonisation of the bacteria which cause this infection.
Azithromycin vs Doxycycline for treatment of Chlamydia
Both medications are useful at treating uncomplicated urogenital chlamydia infection. They are both antibiotics but work in different ways. Doxycycline is now recommended as first line treatment for this infection, whilst Azithromycin is an useful alternative for those individuals who cannot tolerate Doxycycline or other Tetracycline antibiotics.
How do I take Azithromycin?
For the treatment of Chlamydia, TWO tablets of Azithromycin 500mg should be taken as a single dose on day one followed by 500mg daily for the next TWO days. Therefore a total of FOUR tablets of 500mg will be required to complete the course.
Please note: this is a new dose for this medication in line with the updated national guidance for the treatment of Chlamydia.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with half a glass of water before or after food.
