Azithromycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat a number of bacterial infections. It is a part of the Azalide class of antibiotics. The 2 most known brands of Azithromycin are Zithromax and Azithrocin.

Besides chlamydia, Azithromycin is sometimes used to treat a few other conditions, such as pneumonia, sinus infections and other sexually transmitted infections.

Antibiotics stop bacterial infections by entering the bacteria cells and making them unable to reproduce and spread.

When taken correctly, Azithromycin is effective at treating chlamydia in over 95% of cases. To make sure that you take it correctly, it’s important that you complete the treatment by taking every dose on time as prescribed.

In order to treat chlamydia, Azithromycin must be taken for three days. On the first day, you must take four 250mg tablets, on the following two days you’ll take two 250mg tablets each day.

Although Azithromycin is effective at fighting off existing bacterial infections in your body, it does not protect you from getting them again. That’s why it’s recommended that you avoid vaginal, oral, and anal sex, even with a condom, while you’re undergoing treatment. The same is true for your partner. This makes sure that you don’t catch it again while you’re recovering, and that you don’t spread it to anyone else.

Although Azithromycin is commonly prescribed to adults and children, not everyone can take it.

• Azithromycin might not be suitable if you:
• Are allergic to azithromycin
• Are diabetic - liquid azithromycin contains sugar
• Have heart problems
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular condition that affects muscle strength. Azithromycin can worsen the symptoms of this condition.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding - if so discuss other treatment options with your doctor.

Superdrug Online Doctor offers a safe way to get a prescription online. A fully qualified UK registered doctor will analyse your medical information and history and, if Azithromycin is suitable for you, send you a prescription. You can then use it to buy Azithromycin in any pharmacy in Ireland.

Note that due to chlamydia often being a symptomless condition, the only way to know that you have chlamydia and therefore need treatment is by doing a test. If your test result returns positive, you can then proceed to get treatment from Superdrug Online Doctor.

You are also at risk of chlamydia if you have unprotected sex with someone who is known to have chlamydia. In that case, it is usually recommended to be treated for chlamydia, even without getting tested first.

The recommended first line of treatment for chlamydia is Doxycycline. Doxycycline is prescribed as a 7-day course.

If you are unable to take Doxycycline or Azithromycin, you’ll need to go to your GP so they can prescribe another course of treatment, such as amoxicillin, or erythromycin.

Like any medication, Azithromycin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

The most common side effects are:

• nausea
• bloating and wind
• stomach cramps
• diarrhoea
• dizziness
• loss of appetite
• headache
• feeling or being sick
• numbness
• visual disturbances
• itchy skin or rash
• low lymphocyte count (a type of white blood cell)
• low blood bicarbonate levels
• tiredness

Uncommon Side Effects of Azithromycin:

• blistering of genitals, mouth, eyes and skin
• anxiety
• thrush
• allergic reactions
• insomnia
• palpitations
• ringing in the ears
• chest pain
• Inflammation of the liver

You should consult a doctor immediately if you:

• suffer an allergic reaction
• experience severe diarrhoea, especially if your stool contains blood
• experience a severe skin rash
• feel faint and dizzy for a prolonged period of time
• notice changes in your heartbeat (it appears to be faster than usual or irregular)