Azithromycin For other Conditions

Sexually transmitted infections

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and ureaplasma urealyticum (or non-specific urethritis) can be treated using a single dose of azithromycin.      

Parasitic infections

This antibiotic may be used in combination with Chloroquine for the treatment of Malaria and cure rates of 97 % have been reported when using this combination of treatments. The antibiotic may also be used to treat Syphilis, if it is at an early stage of the disease.


Eye disorders

In 2010 Trachoma was the commonest reported cause of blindness due to infection worldwide that if diagnosed early enough, can be treated using Azithromycin. This disease may be a complication following on from a Chlamydia infection.

Kidney disorders and urinary tract infections

Some strains of E.coli cause haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, resulting with kidney failure and anaemia. Azithromycin may be used to treat this type of infection along with the less severe mild kidney and urinary tract infections you might experience.

Disorders of the digestive system

If you have a Hiatus Hernia the number of times you may experience acid reflux may be reduced and your hernia size may also be reduced.

Disorders of the respiratory system

Azithromycin is used to treat ear, nose, mouth and throat infections such as sinusitis, tonsillitis/pharyngitis and otitis media along with more serious disorders of the lung such as pneumonia. Azithromycin may also be used to reduce chesty cough associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you suffer from cystic fibrosis this antibiotic acts as a disease-modifying drug. It slows down or prevents some ill effects of the disease. It has been reported to reduce coughing frequency and mucus levels from the cough whilst increasing your weight gain. Azithromycin may also help prevent further infections. Azithromycin is used to treat lung infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This infection commonly occurs if you have cystic fibrosis and if you have asthma any infections of the respiratory system and lungs can aggravate your asthma symptoms. Azithromycin may also help to reduce infections and asthma symptoms.

Skin disorders

Azithromycin can be used as a treatment for uncomplicated skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, abscesses and boils.

Oral and dental disease

Azithromycin may be given as a treatment for gingivitis and following some dental procedures to prevent any spread of infection from the mouth into the circulatory system (blood) and heart.

Azithromycin Resistance

There are concerns that repeated widespread use of this antibiotic and other macrolides leads to resistance of bacteria to this antibiotic because resistance occurs where the antibiotic is ineffective and fails to cure the infection. However trials indicated that this resistance is transient in the case of S. pneumoniae (this bacteria can cause causes pneumonia, bacteraemia, otitis media, meningitis, sinusitis, peritonitis and reactive arthritis). To avoid any risk of bacterial resistance and incomplete treatment of your infection it is important to finish the course of the antibiotic.

Azithromycin in Usage in Animals

Azithromycin is also used as a veterinarian treatment for rabbits, rats, cats and dogs.  Specifically it may be used for canine papillomatosis, cat scratch disease (CSD), Campylobacter, Salmonella and Mycoplasma infections.  It is sometimes used in foals for the treatment pneumonia due to Rhodococcus equi infection.

The dosages normally used are 5 mg/kg for cats and 10 mg/kg for dogs and horses. The dose is taken daily for dogs and cats. For horses the dose is taken every 24 or 48 hours.

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