Is Azithromycin a controlled substance?

Azithromycin is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Azithromycin

US brand names:Zithromax

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Azithromycin is dosed at 40–50 mg/kg PO q24-48h in african grey parrots, per Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. / 768. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, Abridged, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1997:227-253. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

Indications

3rd-lineAvian chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci infection)BartonellaChlamydophila (alternative)Cryptosporidiosis Feline upper respiratory infectionHelicobacter mustelaeKennel cough (Bordetella adjunct)MycobacteriaMycobacterial infectionsPapillomatosisResistant MycoplasmaRespiratory infections Respiratory infections (alternative)Rhodococcus equi in foals (with rifampin)skinURI

Mechanism of Action

Binds to 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Concentrates in tissues with long half-life.

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATED orally in rabbits and guinea pigs (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Long tissue half-life means prolonged effect after discontinuation.

Species with Azithromycin dosing data (14 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Cat (Domestic)Cockatiel Dog (Domestic)Ferret Guinea Pig Horse (Equine)Pet Rat Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Cockatiel drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Ferret drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Horse (Equine) drugs

Evidence levels across 14 dose rules

Moderate×7Weak×3Strong×4

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 8 published sources

· Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. / 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.770 (2026-08-01).
· Giguere S. Treatment of infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2017;33(1):67-85. PMID: 41600728; Giguere S, Jacks S, Roberts GD, Hernandez J, Long MT, Ellis C. Retrospective Comparison of Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin for the Treatment of Foals with Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia. J Vet Intern Med. 2004;18(4):568-573. doi:10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<568:rcoaca>2.0.co;2 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01).
· Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. / 768. Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, Abridged, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1997:227-253. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 14 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 9 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q24-48h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01).

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