Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and upset stomach.[9] An allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, or a type of diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile is possible.[9] Azithromycin causes QT prolongation that may cause life-threatening arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes.[10] While some studies claim that no harm has been found with use during pregnancy,[9] more recent studies with mice during late pregnancy has shown adverse effects on embryonic testicular and neural development of prenatal azithromycin exposure (PAzE). However, there need to be more well-controlled studies in pregnant women.[7] Its safety during breastfeeding is not confirmed, but it is likely safe.[11] Azithromycin is an azalide, a type of macrolide antibiotic.[9] It works by decreasing the production of protein, thereby stopping bacterial growth.[9][12]
Azithromycin was discovered in Yugoslavia (present day Croatia) in 1980 by the pharmaceutical company Pliva and approved for medical use in 1988.[13][14] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[15] The World Health Organization lists it as an example under "Macrolides and ketolides" in its Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine (designed to help manage antimicrobial resistance).[16] It is available as a generic medication[17] and is sold under many brand names worldwide.[1] In 2022, it was the 78th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8million prescriptions.[18][19]
^Alapi EM, Fischer J (2006). "Table of Selected Analogue Classes". In Fischer J, Ganellin CR (eds.). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. Weinheim: Wiley-Vch Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. p. 498. ISBN978-3-527-31257-3. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
^World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.