Azithromycin

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that treats various bacterial infections. It's occasionally prescribed for chlamydia if someone is unable to take Doxycycline, which is the preferred antibiotic for treating chlamydia.

Azithromycin is typically taken over three days. Our clinician will advise you to take two tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet on both the second and third days.

Chlamydia is a widespread infection. According to a recent estimate by the WHO, there are 127 million cases of chlamydia worldwide. In Europe, it is most common among those aged 18 to 24.

Chlamydia is transmitted through having unprotected sex, which includes oral sex.

The signs of chlamydia can include:

You might not realise you have chlamydia because most people don't experience any symptoms. It's estimated that 61% of women and 68% of men with chlamydia show no signs of it. This is why it's recommended for men and women under 25 to get tested annually if they often have unprotected sex.

Before beginning treatment for chlamydia, you'll need to have a test. You can arrange this with your GP or at a sexual health clinic, and then send us the results. If your test comes back positive, we'll guide you on the most suitable treatment. If Doxycycline isn't an option for you, our clinicians may prescribe Azithromycin instead.

If your partner tests positive, you can begin taking the medication even before you've received your own test results.

It's advised to take another test three weeks after completing your treatment to ensure it has worked effectively.

Azithromycin is part of a group of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics. Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria C. Trachomatis. This antibiotic works by targeting the bacteria responsible for the infection, weakening it and eventually killing it. It achieves this by preventing the bacterial cell from producing a protein needed for growth. Without this protein, the bacteria can't multiply, allowing the infection to clear up.

Azithromycin comes in two different strengths: 500mg and 250mg. For treating chlamydia, the 500mg strength is used.

When treating chlamydia with Azithromycin, you typically take it for three days. On the first day, you'll take two 500mg tablets, followed by one 500mg tablet on both the second and third days.

Pfizer makes a branded version of the drug called Zithromax, while Azithromycin is the generic version.

If your sexual partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, you can begin taking Azithromycin without needing a positive test result yourself. It's advisable to provide a sample for testing, but you shouldn't delay starting the treatment while waiting for the results.

To be prescribed Azithromycin, you'll need a positive chlamydia test result. If you already have the result, you can share it with us. Alternatively, you can get tested first, and if the result is positive, we'll guide you on the treatment.

You'll need a prescription for Azithromycin because our clinician must confirm that your infection is chlamydia. If it's a different type of infection, another antibiotic might work better.

If your partner hasn't tested positive, you'll need a positive chlamydia test result to begin taking Azithromycin. You can use a test result obtained from another source, like your GP or a sexual health clinic, before starting your treatment.

Azithromycin is a reliable antibiotic for treating chlamydia, but Doxycycline is more commonly used as it's a bit more effective. If you're unable to take Doxycycline, perhaps due to an allergy, you'll be given Azithromycin instead.

Both tablets are antibiotics used to treat and eliminate chlamydia. Doxycycline is taken for a longer duration than Azithromycin and is available in a different dosage size.

Azithromycin is a highly effective treatment for chlamydia, with a success rate of over 90%, as reported in a study from the New England Journal.

However, the more we use antibiotics, the less effective they are at treating infections because bacteria can adapt and become resistant to them. It's crucial to follow your clinician's instructions and complete your course of treatment to help minimise the risk of antibiotic resistance.