Everything About Azithromycin for Chlamydia, Dosages, Side Effects

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Azithromycin is a potent antibiotic used to treat infections caused by the presence of bacteria in the body. This medication can be used to cure several bacterial infections, including skin infections, respiratory infections, and middle ear and eye infections. Azithromycin is also commonly prescribed to treat some sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia. This article will highlight using azithromycin for chlamydia, dosages, side effects, and everything you need to know.

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Azithromycin for Chlamydia: Does it work?

Yes. Available data from medical research suggests azithromycin is an effective option for most people looking to treat sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia. Azithromycin has a 97% cure rate when used to cure chlamydia.

According to an analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials that researched the use of the drug in treating chlamydia infections, for every 100 people who take azithromycin 1 gram for the infection, 97 will be cured. The secondary outcomes show a meager 3% failure rate.

To ensure that azithromycin treats chlamydia, patients must adhere strictly to the preset directions from a healthcare specialist.

In addition, suppose you’re treating chlamydia, you should ensure that your sexual partners get treated to avoid a repeat infection after being cured.

Azithromycin will cure chlamydia in most people; unfortunately, it will not restore any permanently damaged tissues caused by the infection.

Sometimes, the damage from chlamydia on the reproductive parts can be irreversible if left untreated for too long.

How long does azithromycin take to work?

It typically takes about seven days for azithromycin to cure chlamydia infections. However, sometimes the infection can be cured entirely in 14 days.

Suppose you’re taking a single dose of this antibiotic for chlamydia; ensure to stay away from sex to avoid infecting your sexual partner before being cured.

Is azithromycin an effective treatment for chlamydia?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, published in 2015, recommends a dose of azithromycin 1 gram taken orally will treat genital chlamydia.

So, yes! Azithromycin is one of the most effective treatment options for chlamydia.

Patients can take two 500mg or four 250mg azithromycin tablets in one dose. This dose remains the same for adults and kids over eight years old and weighing over 45kg, as well as patients with or without HIV.

The CDC directs that you can use this dose to treat these types of chlamydial infections:

  • Anogenital chlamydia. This affects the genital tracts and the anus.
  • Urogenital chlamydia affects the genital and urinary tracts.
  • Oropharyngeal, which affects the mouth and throat.

How does azithromycin cure chlamydia?

As earlier highlighted, azithromycin is one of the most effective treatment options for chlamydia. This drug is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antibiotic that treats several bacterial infections.

Azithromycin works by limiting the growth of infectious bacteria in the body, thereby stopping the disease from multiplying.

In addition, azithromycin is FDA-approved for the treatment of genital chlamydia.

Azithromycin for chlamydia dosage

Azithromycin is a potent antibiotic. Therefore, patients must use this drug as instructed by a healthcare specialist.

The typically recommended dosage of azithromycin for chlamydial infection is 1 gram in one dose.

This dose can be taken with or without food, in the morning or night.

When using azithromycin for chlamydia, a 500mg dose is not recommended. In fact, a 500mg azithromycin dose may have some adverse effects, like increasing the risk of the chlamydial infection becoming resistant to the antibiotic.

Suppose you have been prescribed a 500mg dose to treat genital chlamydia. You may have to return to the doctor for a 1-gram dose to be prescribed instead.

Also, endeavor not to share your azithromycin dose with other people.

How should azithromycin be taken for chlamydia?

Azithromycin should be taken orally in 250 or 500mg tablets to make up 1 gram in a single dose. You can use this drug with or without food.

For example, suppose you have taken azithromycin without eating, and your stomach has become somewhat upset.

Then, finally, you can actually eat some food to help relieve yourself and settle your stomach.

Azithromycin side effects

Like every medication, using azithromycin for chlamydia can cause some side effects for the patients. This is why it is vital to talk to a healthcare specialist before you treat genital chlamydia with azithromycin.

The side effects of using azithromycin can range from mild to severe. For example, suppose you notice the occurrence of an allergic reaction to azithromycin.

You must seek medical help immediately to limit any potential damage. These side effects may include:

  • Difficulty breathing,
  • Hives,
  • Facial or throat swelling.

In addition, you can experience severe skin reactions accompanied by:

  • Burning in your eyes,
  • Skin pain,
  • Fever,
  • Sore throat,
  • Red skin rash that causes peeling and blistering.

Additional symptoms include:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Weakness
  • Bruising
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Muscle pain
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Diarrhea that is bloody or watery
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fainting
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite

Older adults may experience a potentially fatal fast heart rate as this medication may affect the heart’s rhythm.

These possible side effects may occur some weeks after using azithromycin.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you must immediately reach out to your doctor. You can also outline the side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

7 common side effects of using Azithromycin for Chlamydia

Can I repeat the chlamydia test after taking azithromycin?

Suppose you used azithromycin to treat chlamydia. You should get tested three months after finishing the entire treatment course. This is notwithstanding if you think your sexual partner has chlamydia or not.

After three months of treating chlamydia, getting tested is important because repeat infection is quite common.

Therefore, getting retested is vital to ensure early detection and treatment, even if you don’t experience symptoms.

Recurrent chlamydial infections are commonplace. Therefore, even if you’ve been cured of chlamydia using azithromycin, there is no guarantee that you will not get infected again.

For instance, if your sexual partners have not been adequately treated, you can still get re-infected.

Women with recurrent chlamydia stand a high chance of developing fertility complications, pelvic inflammatory diseases, or ectopic pregnancy.

Interactions of Azithromycin chlamydia treatment with alcohol

“Can I drink on azithromycin?” is a common question, especially among people treating chlamydia.

The answer is straightforward. Yes, drinking a controlled amount of alcohol while on azithromycin is okay.

However, drinking a large quantity of alcohol may cause the gastrointestinal side effects of azithromycin, like vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, or nausea, to be more pronounced.

Large amounts of alcohol with azithromycin can also cause headaches.

Alcohol is highly unlikely to stop azithromycin from working for chlamydia because the medication is usually taken as a single dose.

When to see a doctor

Azithromycin is also called Zithromax. This medication can be relatively safe to use even though some potentially fatal side effects may occur.

Before using azithromycin, make sure to speak to your healthcare specialist for instructions and recommendations.

Also, you should contact your doctor before using azithromycin if:

  • If you’re a pregnant woman
  • If you’re experiencing inflammation or pain in your testicles
  • If you have kidney, liver, or heart conditions
  • If you’re on other drugs, including medications for diabetes
  • If you’re feeling feverish or nauseous

Suppose you have experienced an allergic reaction to using antibiotics in the past. In that case, you should definitely consult your doctor before using azithromycin.

In addition, you should always reach out to your medical specialist before using azithromycin for your condition, as they’re best placed to recommend the best treatment option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Azithromycin is a generic antibiotic. Smoking weed has little or no impact on its efficacy.

There is no evidence to support any contraindication for cannabis and azithromycin. However, it is typically recommended to reduce your smoking when using antibiotics.

This is because smoking can have adverse effects on an already compromised immune system. You should go easy on smoking weed when using azithromycin, as your immune system is already compromised from infection.

Doxycycline and azithromycin are potent antibiotics that limit the growth of infectious bacteria in the body, thereby arresting the chlamydial infection from spreading.

The CDC typically recommends both medications for the treatment of chlamydia because of their efficacy.

In addition, the primary outcome of some randomized clinical trials of the use of azithromycin for chlamydial infections reflects a cure rate of 97%.

Existing STD guidelines recommend 7-day doxycycline therapy of 100mg twice daily or a 1-gram dose of azithromycin to treat chlamydia.

Following the current CDC guidelines for STDs, a single 1-gram dosage of azithromycin will cure chlamydia.

However, this single dose can take 250mg or 500mg tablets. Therefore, four tablets of 250mg of azithromycin in one dose will work for chlamydia. Alternatively, two tablets of 500mg would also be as effective.

Azithromycin packaging usually contains four pills of 250mg each, totaling up to 1000mg or 1gram for a dose.

As highlighted earlier in this article, it usually takes up to seven days for azithromycin to cure chlamydia.

However, it can take approximately two weeks for the infection to clear completely. Therefore, you should avoid having sex while treating the condition until it has gone away completely.

Suppose you use azithromycin as instructed by your medical expert. In that case, you usually won’t need to check if your chlamydial infection is gone.

However, getting retested three months after your treatment is essential to reduce the risk of recurrent infection.

This is especially vital if you’re 25 years or below.

Unfortunately, yes. Repeat infections are pretty standard. This is precisely why you should avoid sex until you complete your treatment.

Even though azithromycin has treated your current condition, you can still get chlamydia again if exposed to the bacteria responsible for the infection.

For example, suppose your sexual partner has not been adequately treated, and you are at a high risk of being re-infected with chlamydia even after treatment.

Conclusion

Chlamydia is an STD common among people aged 25 years and under. This infection is typically asymptomatic. This means that even when it is present in the body, it doesn’t always cause symptoms. In the instance that symptoms occur, some of these symptoms may include abnormal discharge, pain during sex, swollen testicles, irregular menstruation, and abdominal discomfort, among others.

Suppose you’re sexually active; getting tested regularly is vital for the early detection of the infection. This is because untreated chlamydia can cause some severe health complications, especially for women.

Azithromycin is one of the recommended treatment options for chlamydia, with an impressive current cure rate of 97%. As reflected earlier in this article, the recommended dosage to treat chlamydia is 1gram of azithromycin taken orally with or without food.

When using azithromycin, there are several precautions to consider. Suppose you’re pregnant; you must talk to your doctor before using this medication to avoid some of the adverse effects on your baby.

In addition, people with a history of allergic reactions to antibiotics should also consult their medical experts before using azithromycin to be on the safe side.

Furthermore, suppose you have kidney, liver, or heart-related conditions. You should definitely speak to your medical expert before using azithromycin. This is because some of the adverse effects of this medication include cardiac-related dysfunction of the body, which can be potentially fatal.

Call DrAlexa

If you’re looking for treatment for your chlamydial infection, DrAlexa is readily available with 24/7 online help for you. At DrAlexa, you can get the affordable medical help you require from the comfort of your homes without going through laborious hoops. Call (469) 498 6868 now or visit www.doctoralexa.com to schedule a consultation online with a doctor near you.

The content on Doctor Alexa’s blog is reviewed by Advanced practice registered nurses or pharmacist and is intended for educational purposes only. This information should not be relied upon as professional medical counsel. Be sure to always consult with your physician about the dangers and benefits of any medication, treatment or procedure.

You shouldn’t wait to see the doctor for simple health needs.