Azithromycin 250 mg is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic related to erythromycin.

It is prescribed for adults to treat certain mild to moderate skin infections; upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis (strep throat), tonsillitis, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia; sexually transmitted infections of the cervix or urinary tract; and genital ulcer disease in men.

In children, Azithromycin 250 mg is used to treat middle ear infection,

Azithromycin 250 mg is effective against a wide variety of bacteria organisms such as Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and mycobacterium avium, and many others.

It is unusual in that it stays in the body for quite a while, allowing for once a day dosing and for shorter treatment courses for most infections.

Azithromycin 250 mg like all macrolide antibiotics, prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their ability to make proteins.

Take Azithromycin 250 mg capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Azithromycin 250 mg tablets and oral suspension can be taken with or without food. Do not take any form with an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, such as Di-Gel, Gelusil, Maalox, and others.

If you are using single-dose packets of Azithromycin 250 mg powder for oral suspension, mix the entire contents of each packet with 2 ounces of water, drink immediately, then add an additional 2 ounces of water, mix again, and drink

Do not take Azithromycin 250 mg with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, such as Maalox and Mylanta.

If Azithromycin 250 mg is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Azithromycin 250 mg with the following: Nelfinavir (Viracept), Warfarin (Coumadin), Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), Ergot-containing drugs such as Cafergot and D.H.E., Cyclosporine (Neoral and Sandimmune), Hexobarbital, Phenytoin

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. You should take Azithromycin 250 mg during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed.

It is not known whether Azithromycin 250 mg can make its way into breast milk. If the drug is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.