This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Azithromycin and pregnancy
Azithromycin is OK to take during pregnancy if you have an infection that needs treatment. However, other antibiotics may be more suitable for you, depending on your type of infection.
Talk to your doctor about taking azithromycin as it should only be used if the benefits outweigh the possible risks.
Azithromycin and breastfeeding
If your baby is healthy, it may be OK to take azithromycin while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Azithromycin passes into breast milk in small amounts and is unlikely to cause any side effects in breastfed babies.
If you have an infection, or are at risk of infections coming back, it's important that this is treated.
It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.
Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:
- is not feeding as well as usual or putting on weight as expected
- has an upset stomach, such as diarrhoea or being sick (vomiting)
- has a rash
- has oral thrush (a fungal infection in their mouth)
- seems unusually sleepy or irritable
If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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