 [ Symptoms ] how long until z pack works for strep started yesterday and throat is still hurting bad i am allergic to penicillin so was prescribed a z pack i took the two pills yesterday morning took dose two one pill today i know it is only been one day but i was of course hoping it would magically disappear i have not had strep since i was a child and this has been absolutely miserable [ Disease ] most helpful answer the medical provider who is treating you for strep is not really doing it correctly if you do a brief search on treating strep with azithromycin you will see that the standard z pack is not sufficient strep should be treated with two pills 500mg every day for five days twice the dose you have been given the purpose of any antibiotic in the treatment of lab diagnosed strep i hope you had a confirmation test to prove you did indeed have strep is to prevent complications not to treat the associated pain antibitoics are not good pain medications so i would suggest that you take an appropriate dose of ibuprofen or have your medical provider prescribe something for you