Zithromax?

Hello everyone...I have a bit of an odd question I was hoping some of you kind people would be able to help me with!
For a week now, I have been very very sick - nose and ears very blocked up, staying up all night coughing and blowing dark yellow stuff out of nose, horrific headache, just really bad!  I went to a walk-in clinic, where the nurse said he thought I had sinusitis, which I had thought as well - I have been prone to it in the past, and this is what it usually feels like!  So when the doctor came in, I told her my symptoms and I said that the nurse thought I had sinusitis, and in the States they prescribe me Zithromax and it always works well.  I think it was a mistake saying that last part, because without examining me at all, the doctor said she was sure I didn't have a sinus infection, just a virus, and that she didn't know what Zithromax was but she was sure that I have been overmedicated in the past - which didn't really make sense to me, because if she didn't know what it was, how could she know that it had been over-prescribed to me?!  Then, she proceeded to list cold medicines I could take (paracetamol, decongestant, etc.) and said "They're REALLY cheap!" about four times.  I wanted to tell her that cold medicine is cheap in the States too!  I felt that she thought I was just a stereotypical American, whatever that is.  (She eventually examined me, but I thought her mind was pretty made up before she did so.)
So, I was planning to go to another walk in clinic and ask again as I have gotten even worse, but now that the NHS walk in centers are closed for the Easter holidays, I don't think I can go to another one until Tuesday, and I was hoping for some medication before then - ok, maybe that does sound like a stereotypical American   Does anyone know if and how I can get Zithromax (the Z Pack or azythromycin as I think they call it here) without a prescription in the UK?  Or, if not, does anyone know the closest thing to it that is available over the counter here (other than a decongestant)?  I know there are some things over the counter here that aren't available in the States.  Thank you so much in advance!!  I really appreciate it, and so does my husband who had been kept up at night for the past week by my hacking! 

Americans are generally overprescribed antibiotics, and Z-Pak is some pretty strong stuff.

But I would agree that doctors here are more of the "wait and see" type.  Normally, before I even think of going to a clinic, I will have waited about 5 days already.  I got pretty sick about a year ago, and when I finally went in, they told me to wait it out, and take paracetamol, Sinex, etc. (Which I had obviously already been doing!)

I'm no doctor, but if you're feeling worse, I'd probably head back. 

Have you called NHS direct yet? They can direct you to what s open this holiday weekend if you need to be seen - and it sounds like you might.

Thank you both for your replies - yes, we found that the Soho walk in clinic is open tomorrow!  I am definitely going to go, as it will then have been more than a week and it seems to be getting worse.  Thanks again!

Does anyone know if and how I can get Zithromax (the Z Pack or azythromycin as I think they call it here) without a prescription in the UK?  Or, if not, does anyone know the closest thing to it that is available over the counter here (other than a decongestant)? 

Unfortunately, all antibiotics are prescription-only in the UK (due to the risks of over-medication on them - antibiotics become less effective the more often they are used, as your body becomes resistant to them), so you won't be able to get Zithromax or anything similar here without a prescription.

The only over-the-counter medicines you can buy for a cold/sinus symptoms are:
- paracetamol
- decongestants
- antihistamines
- cough medicine

Thanks!

Thank you both for your replies - yes, we found that the Soho walk in clinic is open tomorrow!  I am definitely going to go, as it will then have been more than a week and it seems to be getting worse.  Thanks again!

I was down in London on business in February, where I found myself suffering with terrible bronchitis. I went to the walk in clinic in Soho. They took my illness seriously, gave a good exam, and prescribed strong antibiotics. Be prepared for a longish wait, but I thought the wait was worth it.

I went to the Soho clinic this morning, and it was just as you said...they took my symptoms seriously, were respectful, and actually gave me an antibiotic!  I am so relieved! 

I went to the Soho clinic this morning, and it was just as you said...they took my symptoms seriously, were respectful, and actually gave me an antibiotic!  I am so relieved! 

Hope you start to feel better soon!

I went to the Soho clinic this morning, and it was just as you said...they took my symptoms seriously, were respectful, and actually gave me an antibiotic!  I am so relieved! 

Glad to hear it! Hope you're feeling better soon!