What side effects should I expect from taking azithromycin?

Signs of azithromycin allergy: difficulty breathing, hives (rash on your body), swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat—If you experience any of these symptoms, please call 911 or seek emergency medical care at the nearest emergency room (ER). 

Seek medical attention immediately if you have the following symptoms: Fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle ache, generalized weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), unusual bruising, unusual bleeding. These are serious drug reactions, and they can occur several weeks after azithromycin treatment. 

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Watery, bloody diarrhea
• Severe stomach pain
• Chest pain
• Symptoms of liver problems: upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale-colored stools, nausea, extreme tiredness, jaundice (yellow of the skin and eyes).
• Shortness of breath, sudden dizziness like you are about to faint, fluttering in your chest, fast/pounding heartbeats - these are signs and symptoms of torsades de pointes.
• Call your child’s pediatrician immediately if your baby is irritable, restless, or vomits while nursing or eating.

Common side effects of azithromycin:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain/discomfort
• Headache 
• Dizziness
• Gas/bloating

Azithromycin overdose: Go to the nearest emergency room or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. You can find more information at www.poisonhelp.org/help

The above list may not include all the possible side effects of azithromycin. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist at your local pharmacy if you have persistent side effects or any side effects that are not listed above. You can also report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Source: FDA