Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Alta-Azithromycin
What is ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN used for?
ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN is an antibiotic medicine used to treat the following types of mild to moderate infections by certain microorganisms in adults such as bronchitis, certain types of skin infections, strep throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), genitourinary infections and pneumonia.
Antibacterial drugs like ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. Although you may feel better early in treatment, ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN should be taken exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN (resistance). This means that ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.
How does ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN work?
ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN helps stop the growth of the bacteria that cause infection. It gets into infected tissue where it is released slowly over time so the medicine keeps fighting bacteria for many days after the last dose is taken. This is why ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN may be taken for as short a time as one day.
What are the ingredients in ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN?
Medicinal ingredients: Azithromycin dihydrate
Non-medicinal ingredients: Dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, purified water, and sodium lauryl sulphate. Coating material: D&C Red #30 Aluminum lake, hypromellose, lactose, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.
ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 250 mg
Do not use ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN if:
- you have a history of liver problems when you have used azithromycin.
- you are hypersensitive (allergic) to azithromycin, or any macrolide or ketolide antibiotic (including erythromycin) or any other ingredient of ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN (see What are the ingredients in ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN?).
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have a known prolonged heart cycle (interval) (QT prolongation)
- are currently taking medication known to prolong QT interval (prolong your heart cycle) such as antiarrhythmics (drugs to regulate your heartbeat such as class IA: quinidine, procainamide and class III; dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol); antipsychotic agents; antidepressants; and fluoroquinolones (a class of antibiotics)
- have a history of life-threatening irregular heartbeat
- have constantly low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
- have a history for heart problems such as slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat or cardiac insufficiency (your heart has a hard time pumping blood to your body)
are pregnant or think you are pregnant,
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Azithromycin is excreted in human breast milk. It is not known if ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN could affect your baby. Discuss with your doctor.
- have ever had any liver or kidney problems
- have a weak immune system
- have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicines, including antibiotics such as erythromycin
- have myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease which causes muscle weakness)
- have hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption as this product contains lactose.
Other warnings you should know about:
You should begin to feel better within the first few days, but be sure to take ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN for the full number of days your doctor prescribed. Although ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN’s dosing is short, you should not expect ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN to work faster than other antibiotics which are dosed up to 10 days. If you stop taking ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN too soon, your infection could come back. The next infection may be worse and be more difficult to treat. If you are not able to take all the medicine, tell your doctor.
If you develop diarrhea during or after treatment with ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN, tell your doctor at once. Do not use any medicine to treat your diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN:
- Warfarin (or other anticoagulant medicine);
- Cyclosporin (used to suppress the immune system to prevent and treat rejection in organ or bone marrow transplants);
- Digoxin (used for treatment of heart problem);
- Colchicine (used for treatment of gout);
- Nelfinavir (used for treatment of HIV infections);
- Ergotamine and ergot derivatives (used for migraine treatment). Ergotamine and ergot derivatives should not be used with ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN.
Some medicines may affect how well ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN works. Check with your doctor before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including natural/herbal remedies or antacids, while on ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN.
How to take ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN:
Always take ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN as the doctor has prescribed for you, depending on the specific condition you have.
ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN can be taken with or without food.
Usual adult dose:
If your doctor prescribes ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 3 days for treatment of bronchitis: Days 1 through 3: Take two tablets each day.
If your doctor prescribes ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 5 days for treatment of respiratory tract infections or certain types of skin infections:
Day 1: Take 2 tablets once.
Day 2 through 5: Take 1 tablet daily.
If your doctor prescribes ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 1 day for treatment of genital ulcers or non- gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis:
Days 1: Take four tablets once.
If your doctor prescribes ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 1 day for treatment of gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis:
Days 1: Take eight tablets once.
Overdose:
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose, call your pharmacist or doctor. Do not double dose.
What are possible side effects from using ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
- Diarrhea/loose stools
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
Clostridioides difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness | √ | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
Abnormal heart rhythm: feel your heart beating in your chest, abnormal heartbeat, dizziness or feeling faint | √ | ||
Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling of the face, mouth, throat, neck, severe skin rash or blisters | √ | ||
| Liver disorder: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine | √ | ||
| Myasthenia gravis: muscle weakness, drooping eyelid, vision changes, difficulty chewing and swallowing, trouble breathing | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Store ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN at controlled room temperature (between 15-30°C).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ALTA-AZITHROMYCIN:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug- product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (https://altamed.ca), or by calling
1-877-352-7314.
Last Revised: MAY 26, 2026
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.