Azithromycin

Description

Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as bronchitis; pneumonia; sexually transmitted diseases (STD); and infections of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, throat, and reproductive organs. Azithromycin also is used to treat or prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection [a type of lung infection that often affects people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. Azithromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Antibiotics such as azithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Azithromycin alone and in combination with other medications is currently being studied for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, azithromycin has been used with hydroxychloroquine to treat certain patients with COVID-19. However, there are mixed reports of effectiveness when azithromycin was used along with other medications to treat other viral respiratory infections. Azithromycin also has been used to treat bacterial infections in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. More information is needed before any conclusions can be made regarding the possible benefits and risks of using azithromycin either alone or in combination with hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19.

Azithromycin should be used ONLY under the direction of a doctor for the treatment of COVID-19.