Side Effects

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine as the symptoms can be severe. Page 6 of 8 • sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body) • severe or prolonged diarrhoea, which may have blood or mucus in it, during or after treatment with Zithromax as this may be a sign of serious bowel inflammation • severe skin rash causing redness and flaking • rapid or irregular heartbeat • low blood pressure • Serious skin reactions: – blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)) – blistering of the skin, severe skin reaction (Toxic Epidermal Necrosis (TEN)) – skin rash accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, swollen glands and an increase of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). A rash appears as small, itchy red bumps (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)) – skin eruption that is characterised by the rapid appearance of areas of red skin studded with small pustules (small blisters filled with white/yellow fluid) (Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP)). Stop taking azithromycin if you develop these skin symptoms and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately. The most common side effects that occur when taking Zithromax are listed below. These may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your doctor if any of these side effects continue to bother you: Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people • stomach cramps, feeling sick, diarrhoea, wind. Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people • dizziness, headache • numbness or pins and needles • being sick, indigestion • loss of appetite, taste disturbance • visual disturbances, deafness • skin rash and /or itching • joint pain • low numbers of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), higher number of eosinophils (type of white blood cells) • low blood bicarbonate • tiredness or weakness. Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people • yeast infections of the mouth and vagina (thrush) • low numbers of leukocytes (a type of white blood cell), low number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) • allergic reactions of various severity • skin more sensitive to sunlight than normal • feeling nervous • reduced sense of touch or sensation (hypoesthesia) • sleepiness or sleeplessness (insomnia) • poor hearing or ringing in the ears • heart palpitations, chest pain • constipation, stomach pain associated with diarrhoea and fever • inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), changes in liver enzymes. • general loss of strength Page 7 of 8 • swelling • general discomfort • abnormal laboratory test values (e.g. blood or liver tests). Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people • agitation • vertigo • changes in liver function Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data • fits or fainting • aggression or anxiety • feeling hyperactive • localised muscle weakness • loss of smell or altered sense of smell, loss of taste • tongue discolouration • inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) • inflammation of the kidney or kidney failure • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) or liver failure (rarely life-threatening) • bruising or prolonged bleeding after injury • abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) • reduction in red blood cells which can make the skin pale and cause weakness or breathlessness. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.