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What are the side effects of Azithromycin?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, azithromycin is available in various dosage forms including capsules, granules, and tablets. Its side effects may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, rash and itching, dizziness and headache, and arrhythmia. In daily life, to prevent side effects of azithromycin, it is essential to carefully read the drug's package insert before taking it, understand the contraindications and precautions, and avoid self-medicating without guidance.

Generally, azithromycin is available in various dosage forms including capsules, granules, and tablets. Its adverse effects may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, skin rash and itching, dizziness and headache, and arrhythmia. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Nausea and Vomiting

Medications can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, transmitting signals through nerves to the vomiting center, triggering a vomiting reflex. Nausea typically may appear within a few hours after ingestion. In severe cases, frequent vomiting may occur, affecting food intake and nutrient absorption, causing discomfort to the patient.

2. Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea

Azithromycin may disrupt the normal peristaltic rhythm and digestive-absorptive function of the intestine, leading to intestinal smooth muscle spasms, which can cause abdominal pain—often paroxysmal cramping pain commonly located around the navel. At the same time, imbalances in intestinal secretion and absorption result in loose stools and increased bowel movement frequency, with diarrhea occurring 3–5 times daily.

3. Skin Rash and Itching

As an allergen, azithromycin may provoke an excessive immune response from the body's immune system, releasing inflammatory mediators such as histamine. Histamine acts on skin blood vessels and nerve endings, causing red papules, urticaria, accompanied by significant itching. Scratching may lead to skin damage and increase the risk of infection.

4. Dizziness and Headache

The medication may affect the normal functioning of the nervous system, interfering with neurotransmitter transmission and the electrophysiological activity of nerve cells, leading to symptoms of dizziness and headache. Dizziness may manifest as a feeling of heaviness or vertigo in the head, affecting body balance; headaches are often described as a sense of distension or pulsation, with varying intensity among individuals.

5. Arrhythmia

Azithromycin may influence the electrophysiological properties of the heart, prolonging the action potential duration and effective refractory period of myocardial cells, thereby prolonging the QT interval. QT interval prolongation may easily induce arrhythmia, with patients experiencing palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and in severe cases, life-threatening conditions may occur.

In daily life, to prevent adverse effects of azithromycin, it is essential to carefully read the drug instructions before taking the medication to understand contraindications and precautions, and to use the medication under the guidance of a physician, avoiding self-medication blindly.

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