Azithromycin belongs to a class of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. It works by preventing bacteria from making their own proteins and spreading infections.

This antibiotic drug treats a variety of bacterial infections like cat-scratch disease, ear infections, infections of the skin or surrounding tissue and throat or tonsil infections. The medicine is also used to treats lung and other respiratory infections like bronchitis, sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and whooping cough (pertussis). The medication is also prescribed for curing genital infections and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, infections of the urethra or cervix, genital ulcers and severe pelvic inflammatory disease.

Some common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, loose stools and stomach discomfort are seen while being treated with this medicine. Other serious like reactions like chest pain, seizures, swelling of the feet or ankles, inflammation of the colon and low count of white blood cells may occur in rare cases.