In most countries, you need to get a doctor’s prescription to buy the antibiotic azithromycin. However, this is not the case everywhere in the world. You can buy it without any prescription or specialist advice in some countries such as India or other Eastern European countries like Russia and Romania.
In these countries, you don’t need a prescription to buy it. And you can also buy it without one in several other countries such as Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria. In some of these countries pharmacies will ask you why you want to buy azithromycin, which may cause some people to feel uncomfortable asking for it directly.
Fortunately, there are a few places where it is possible to buy azithromycins with just a standard consultation with an advice nurse, pharmacist or physician. Even so, if your doctor has recommended that you take
Azithromycin for gonorrhea then we recommend that you follow their advice rather than buying the medication over-the-counter and taking it yourself at home.
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Can You Buy Azithromycin Over The Counter In Canada?
You can buy azithromycin over the counter in Canada in one Canadian pharmacy, Rexall. However, you will need to have a prescription written in the form of a letter from your doctor, prescribing azithromycin for you.
Azithromycin is often prescribed to treat common health problems such as tonsillitis, chronic bronchitis, gastroenteritis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, as well as more serious bacterial infections.
Because of this, it is likely that a doctor will be happy to write you a prescription for azithromycin, which you can then take to Rexall and purchase over the counter.
Can You Buy Azithromycin Over The Counter In Europe?
In Europe, azithromycin is available to purchase over the counter in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. In Latvia and Lithuania you can find it in supermarkets and pharmacies and it is marketed under the name Zithromax. It is also available to purchase over the counter in Poland from pharmacies.
In many other European countries, azithromycin can be bought over the counter with a doctor’s prescription. You can find out if you can buy azithromycin with a prescription in your country by searching for “azithromycin” and “prescription” on Google.
Can You Buy Azithromycin Over The Counter In India?
In India you can buy azithromycin over the counter in many pharmacies and medical stores. You may need a prescription from your doctor if you want a higher dosage than is available over the counter.
Most people buy azithromycin in India to treat one or both of the following conditions:
- Untreatable diarrhea caused by bacteria such as shigella and salmonella.
- Urinary tract infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli.
When used to treat bacterial infections, azithromycin is taken for five days. It is often combined with another antibiotic such as amoxicillin, which is used to treat diarrhea.
Can You Buy Azithromycin Without A Prescription?
You can buy azithromycin without a prescription in one Eastern European country: Romania. You can also buy it without a prescription in a handful of Indian cities, including Chandigarh, Pune, and Agra.
In most of the other countries where you can buy azithromycin over the counter, it is necessary to have a doctor’s prescription. This is because there is a risk of antibiotic resistance if people self-medicate with azithromycin. In the long run, this can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics as a whole.
Where To Buy Azithromycin With A Prescription?
If your doctor has told you that you need to take azithromycin, then you will need to find a pharmacy where you can buy it with a prescription. In many countries, this means that you will need to find a specialist pharmacy.
For example:
- In the USA: Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid
- In the UK: Boots or Superdrug
- In China: Watsons
- In France: Pharmacie
- In Germany: Apotheke
- In Italy: Farmacia
- In Japan: Fujiya
- In Mexico: Farmacia or Parafarmacia
- In Spain: Farmacia
Summing up
Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Not every infection can be treated with antibiotics and they are not suitable for everyone. When you do need antibiotics, it can be very important to take them correctly in order to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
It is very important to remember to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. If you take too few antibiotics, the infection may not fully clear up. If you take too many antibiotics, it may cause side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, make sure you understand why and how to take them correctly so that you can get rid of your infection as quickly as possible.