Azithromycin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection User Reviews

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2012

Azithromycin "I am on day 2 of the 5-day dose pack. Relief from upper respiratory symptoms has been rapid and effective. 48 hours ago, I was having severe coughing fits, sneezing, painful sinus pressure, lethargy, blocked nasal passages, unable to lie down without inducing severe bouts of coughing. 36 hours ago, I took the loading dose, and 12 hours ago, the day 2 dose. My cough is all but gone, I am able to breathe normally, my voice is back nearly to normal, the sinus pressure is gone, and I have stopped taking the decongestant I was using. This afternoon, I went out shopping. I have noticed no side effects, other than mild nausea after the day 1 dose, which may or may not have been from the medicine. This is my second highly positive experience with this medicine."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

Azithromycin "I have been using Zithromax for the past 6 years to fight off my upper respiratory tract infections. I have tried almost everything else in the military medical inventory to win against the URIs I get yearly (every September/October time frame) but Zithromax wins hands down every time. It does not matter during which stage of the URI you begin to take the medicine. The first or second night you will start to fight the infection hardcore and you might notice a fever develop as your body fights against the bacteria. After that, it's smooth sailing, so you feel better by the 3rd day and completely cured by the 5th day. It is definitely a wonder drug and worth the extra money."

• sro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2014

"Had bad upper respiratory infection, coughing and pain, and was prescribed the 250 pack. By day two, I was 90 percent better and no side effects. Definitely a great medicine for upper respiratory infection!"

• tig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2015

Azithromycin "I haven't taken an antibiotic for several years because I haven't had a bacterial infection. Over a month ago, I came down with a virus, but in retrospect, it soon evolved into a secondary sinus infection. I respect the avoidance of antibiotics unless symptoms clearly point to bacterial infections, and I was not running a fever, and what my sinus produced did not look foul enough. However, when this didn't abate after close to 5 weeks, even my internist agreed it might be a rare low-grade bacterial infection and gave the green light to try an antibiotic. I started it the day before yesterday, and by last night, it was the first time in 4 1/2 weeks I got relief from the non-stop post-nasal glob driving me crazy. It couldn't have been more dramatic."

• Spe...
• December 14, 2014

"Several bouts of bronchitis and walking pneumonia over the years. I was born premature and had lung issues as an infant. I do not smoke. I am healthy. The Z-Pack (250 mg) works almost immediately for me. The first day I take two, then one per day for the next four days. I am on Day 2 and already am feeling better!"

• shs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2013

"I came back from the U.K. with a terrible chest cold. I spent the first week drinking tons of water and hot tea and lounging on the couch with a heating pad on my chest. I finally went to the doctor who took a chest x-ray to make sure there was no pneumonia or bronchitis. He prescribed Tussionex cough medicine, which worked great on the cough and helped me sleep like a baby. After two days, the cold worked its way up into my throat and ear canals, and I lost my voice. Called the doctor back who prescribed azithromycin. After 1 day, I was feeling much better, but still not quite myself. After 2 days, I was able to function almost normally. I've taken the 3rd dose today and am hopeful that I will be even better today."

• Jen...
• May 22, 2015

"I am on day 4 of the 5-day treatment, and the only thing that is happening is that I'm getting sicker by the day. I went back to the doctor on day 3 and said that it was getting worse (can barely swallow my own saliva), and he said that it takes the full 5 days, maybe even 6, to work. This is definitely NOT the antibiotic for me. Just wanted to share in case someone else is getting this run-around. I have to get some different antibiotics because apparently I am 100% immune to this kind."

• Fun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

Azithromycin "Waited 10 days to go to the doctor, thinking I had bronchitis! I wish I would’ve gone to the doctor sooner because I was miserable, coughing my head off with phlegm, terrible headaches, fatigue, congestion, and sweats. I ended up having an upper respiratory infection and was given a Z-pack. After day one, I felt soooo much better and was ready to go back to work. I am on day 4 and still coughing up infection, hoping that ends soon! Also, every day after I take the pill, I get some pretty bad abdominal pain and have to run to the bathroom, but only lasting about an hour. I would say the stomach ache is definitely worth it!"

• Nik...
• January 8, 2015

"Woke up the other morning in tears, not able to breathe. I did two breathing treatments and still very little relief. Went to the ER and was prescribed this, and I kid you not, by the next morning after taking the 6, I felt 100% better. I am choking on a lot of mucus, but I guess that's because it's being broken up now. This is the greatest medication I have taken in a while. It truly worked wonders. My hands are very itchy, but I don't even care! I can breathe!!"

• spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2015

Azithromycin "Upper respiratory infection Zithromax 250 mg. My doctor gave me a Z-Pak, 2 tabs on day 1, followed by 1 tablet the next 4 days. Total tablets 6. Zithromax is the generic drug for Azithromycin. First time prescribed. **Note: I have asthma** and was feeling more fatigued and lightheaded. Drugs.com interaction checker pointed out that since I used 2 inhalers: 1. Pro-Air and 2. Advair, my potassium level would be affected. A moderate interaction warning. I started drinking Gatorade and began to feel better. My mom is diabetic, and Gatorade makes flavored 12 oz bottles that have potassium and will not affect your blood sugar."

• Wol...
• May 2, 2010

Azithromycin "This medicine is the best. I have been using this medicine about once every year for upper respiratory tract infections. It really starts to work by day 2 and continues to work after about a week. As with any medicine, the side effects with me are going to the restroom more than usual."

• f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2013

"Called Dr. because my inner ear was hurting. She sent a script to the pharmacy for pickup. My ear stopped hurting, but then a week later I had a chest cold. Took Z-pack, after day two, I am able to function, and mucus is coming up out of my chest. Feeling 90% now. Was feeling at 40%."

• CP...
• December 3, 2015

"I have been feeling horrible for six days. Thought I had the flu, but was diagnosed with an acute upper tract infection. Had chills, sweats, loss of appetite. Within six hours of taking the two first-day pills, I began to feel better. I feel about 80% after being 30% for the last several days."

• net...
• January 9, 2016

"My first 2 uses of this drug, I had no side effects. 3rd time, I had moderate nausea. Pharmacist said to eat yogurt. Each time, within 2 days, tingling in sinuses as I felt them open up, and cured by the end of pills. Also, symptoms of Lyme disease in hips were cured, puzzled my doc. Just began new round! Advice to help nausea: Keep stomach full. Graze all day, like a cow! Oatmeal with banana, whole wheat toast with avocado, peanut butter sandwich. Something every 2 hours. Big dinner with lots of vegetables. And I eat 2 containers of tasty yogurt 2 or 3 times a day. I had light nausea the 1st day that lasted maybe 1 hour."

• Cwo...
• April 7, 2011

Azithromycin "Zithromax was given to my daughter for upper respiratory symptoms 3 days before her flight to Fla to visit grandparents. Within the day, I noticed a great difference. No side effects, and she has a heart condition. My lovely daughter passed her buggies on to me, I've been fighting it for a week. Went to the doctor today, gave me the same thing... fingers crossed."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2015

"I have just taken Day 5 dose for a worse than usual respiratory infection. Being asthmatic, I need to get a jump on these things, and Z-Pack works well, and the one pill a day makes it convenient. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are a side effect I get with all antibiotics, and I have found eating yogurt helps. The antibiotic will kill the good bacteria in your colon as well as the bad infection, and it has to be replaced."

• Tex...
• July 13, 2010

Azithromycin "I was prescribed a 250 mg, 5-day dose pack of Azithromycin for an upper respiratory infection. Dosing: 2 tabs 1st day, then 1 per day for 3 days. Took 2 tabs 1st day, no problem. 2nd day, 1 tab in the morning before driving to a family reunion. Almost immediate intermittent left upper chest pain. No other symptoms of a heart attack. Chewed 2 aspirin after lunch - only slight relief. Returned home in the evening and found cardiac symptoms listed on dose pack descriptions. Discontinued taking Azithromycin and had no recurrence of chest pains 3rd day to date. Ten days later, I had an electrocardiogram done and results were normal."

• Cit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2012

"A visit to the doctor resulted in a chest X-ray and blood test, which confirmed inflammation of the lungs and a bacterial infection. I was given a 3-day dosage of azithromycin for the inflammation and warned it can cause diarrhea. I was also prescribed an inhaler, as a lung test showed 25% restriction. First day, no side effects except for heavy drowsiness. Second day, could already feel the symptoms reducing. Second day, 20 minutes after taking the meds, I got strong stomach pains (felt in the colon area, not stomach), followed by heavy drowsiness. Third day, I made sure to eat before the pill, which minimized the stomach pain, but I got one bout of diarrhea in the evening. Day 5, symptoms have improved, although I still have a runny nose and cough."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

"Finally went to the doctor after 12 days of suffering from constant nasal drip, cough, headache, body aches, toothaches, pressure in face and ears, feeling miserable and staying in bed. Pharmacist told me to take pills after a full meal. I took the first two pills 7 and a half hours ago, and the change has been dramatic. I feel 75 percent better and am amazed at how quickly I went from being in misery to feeling human again. I do not like taking antibiotics but was desperate for help, and this did the trick! I feel SOOO much better!"

• cou...
• March 5, 2017

"I had this in the past with very little success for upper respiratory infections, but for some reason, it still seems to be the go-to script for my PCP. Once again, I started with the flu (fever for 3 days), and it progressed to severe sinus congestion and a cough where I sounded like I was coughing up my lungs. I got this prescribed for me, and after 4 1/2 days on it, with very minimal relief of the sinus congestion and next to no relief for the coughing, I called the PCP back (as instructed) to let them know I was not improving. They indicated that no other antibiotics were indicated and that the Z-pack works for 10 days after you take the last pill. So, I'm still sitting at home, clenching my chest and hoping that something soon gives!"

• DC ...
• December 11, 2012

"I was prescribed a 250 mg Z-Pak for bronchitis/upper respiratory infection (which I'm sure was viral, but whatever). I experienced horrible diarrhea starting on day 2. After 4 pills, I gave up and called my doc, who told me to discontinue use. Guess I'll add this to my list of allergies."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

"Just finished Z-Pack for an upper respiratory tract infection. I've gotten progressively worse through the 5-day course. On day 4, I had a temp of 103 and a severe headache. I had a temp of 99 when I began the pack."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2015

"I have been on Zithromax twice for an upper respiratory tract infection, and both times I was as sick as a dog. Constant runs (comes on fast), nausea, bloating, flatulence, aches, chills; basically feeling like I had a bad flu without the fever. I felt better just having the chest infection. :-P Use this drug only if milder medications do not work!"

• Bio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2015

"I work an overnight shift in a hospital, sterile instrument supplies, not patient care. I picked up a bad head cold which morphed into a sinus infection, no fever. Not the end of the world, of course, but after 3 weeks and 3 work shifts missed, I went and got it checked out and was prescribed azithromycin, 5-day treatment. Within 2 days, my sinuses and head began improving, but my only complaint is the possible side effect of insomnia. Again, I work overnight shift, and sleeping during the day is never easy, but I've called off 3 additional work shifts since being on this medication, solely from not being able to sleep enough (less than 4 hours). Even though my head and sinuses are getting better, I refuse to work if I haven't slept enough."

• Mik...
• September 7, 2017

"I was diagnosed with panbronchiolitis and mild bronchiectasis. I had a few episodes of serious flare-ups when I caught a viral flu that left my lungs filled with phlegm and breathlessness. My doctor treated me on such episodes with prednisolone and azithromycin. It works within 36 hours, and my condition improves from then onwards."