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Azithromycin Side Effects

Among the common side effects of azithromycin are an unexplained rash, abdominal pain (or stomach pain), headache, and vomiting. Some rare azithromycin side effects include kidney failure, constipation, and allergic reactions. There are also some side effects with azithromycin that can indicate something serious. A few of these side effects include severe or watery diarrhea, abnormal swelling, and peeling of skin.

 

Azithromycin Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with azithromycin (Zithromax®). Yet not everyone who takes azithromycin will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate azithromycin well. When people do develop azithromycin side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. In previous research studies, up to 1 percent of adults or children stopped taking azithromycin because of side effects.
 
(The azithromycin side effects discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with azithromycin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Azithromycin Side Effects

Azithromycin has been studied extensively in clinical trials, with thousands of people worldwide having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common azithromycin side effects include:
 
  • Nausea -- up to 5 percent
  • Loose stools or diarrhea -- up to 7 percent
  • Vomiting -- up to 7 percent
  • Abdominal pain (or stomach pain) -- up to 3 percent
  • Headache -- up to 1 percent
  • Unexplained rash -- up to 2 percent.
     
The likelihood of these azithromycin side effects varied based on the drug dose and how it was taken.
 
(Azithromycin Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;