Azithromycin is a popular antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. It is commonly known by its brand name Zithromax, and is available in oral tablets, capsules, and liquid forms. Here are some key points about Azithromycin:
What is azithromycin prescribed for?
Azithromycin is a macrolide-class antibacterial that treats a variety of infections caused by bacteria. These include respiratory tract infections, skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, cervical gonorrhea, chlamydial infection and genital
Mechanism of Action
Azithromycin & Doxycycline belongs to a class of antibiotics called macrolides. It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to produce proteins necessary for their survival. It targets the 50S ribosomal subunit of bacterial cells, which prevents the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis.
How to take azithromycin?
Take azithromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take azithromycin with food if this is more convenient.
Drink at least 2 8-ounce glasses of fluid every 24 hours. Swallow the tablets whole; do not crush or chew them. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. You must continue to take anti-laryngitis medications until your symptoms disappear. However, if you feel better in a few days or less, call your doctor before stopping the medication.
What should I tell my health care provider before taking azithromycin?
Before taking azithromycin, tell your doctor if you have:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Asthma or other lung disease
- Problems with your esophagus, stomach, and intestines such as colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon) or diverticulitis (intestinal inflammation)
- (Do not take azithromycin if you have a history of allergy to any erythromycins, such as erythromycin estolate, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, or erythromycin base.)
Have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. These may be signs of an allergic reaction. If these symptoms occur while taking azithromycin, seek emergency medical attention.
If you miss a dose of Zmax and are using it for prevention of malaria, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose
Side Effect of Azithromycin
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using azithromycin. Call your doctor at once if you have: Dizziness+ Feeling like you might pass out
Swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat+ Shortness of breath+Fast or uneven heartbeat+ Rapid heart rate+ Pain in your chest or stomach with or without nausea and vomitingWhen calling 911 or going to the emergency room (ER), tell the healthcare provider about these reactions to azithromycin.
Zithromax Interaction with other Medication:
Tell your provider about all of the medications you are taking before and during treatment with Zithromax. Zithromax interacts with many other medications, including:
- Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium
- Baclofen (Lioresal)
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Efavirenz (Sustiva)
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxicin (Avelox), norfloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin hydrochloride (Raxar)
Examples of medications that generally increase or decrease the effects of azithromycin (Zithromax) include:
- Antacids: Calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, and other antacids
- Statins: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev), pitavastatin (Livalo), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Warfarin: Coumadin, Winthrop
Cost
The cost of Azithromycin varies depending on the strength, dosage form, and quantity prescribed. It is generally covered by most health insurance plans, but people without insurance may have to pay out of pocket. Generic versions of Azithromycin are also available, which can be less expensive than the brand name version.
In conclusion, It is a widely used antibiotic that is effective in treating many bacterial infections. However, like all medications, it can cause side effects and should only be used when necessary. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment to avoid the development of bacterial resistance. People should also inform their healthcare provider of any other medications they are taking to avoid any drug interactions. While Azithromycin is generally safe and effective, it should be used with caution in certain populations, such as those with liver or kidney problems, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with a history of heart problems or abnormal heart rhythms.
Important
It is important to note that it is not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. It should only be used to treat bacterial infections, as using it to treat viral infections can lead to the development of resistance and unnecessary use of antibiotics. People should also be aware that antibiotics, including Azithromycin, can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the body, which can lead to the development of secondary infections, such as yeast infections.
Tips for taking Azithromycin: Maximizing effectiveness and minimizing risks
- If it’s upsetting your stomach, you could try taking it with food to help.
- Finish your full course of treatment to avoid a relapse
- Do not use azithromycin to treat other infections without consulting your doctor.
- Talk to your health care provider if you experience diarrhea from taking azithromycin (Zithromax). If they feel the diarrhea isn’t too serious, they might recommend a probiotic to help lessen this side effect. However, it is important to separate azithromycin (Zithromax) and the probiotic by at least 2 hours. To do so, take the probiotic while sleeping at night or early in the morning. Later in the day, take your azithromycin
- If you’re prescribed azithromycin Zithromax for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), ask your doctor or pharmacist about treatment for your partner(s)Most states allow you to ask your healthcare provider for a prescription for your partner without them present. Save yourself and others from being a repeat offender.
- If you’re taking a statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor) that’s one of the most common medications that interact with azithromycin (Zithromax). Your dose may need to be adjusted to accommodate this interaction.
FAQs about Azithromycin
Is Z-pack are same as Azithromycin ?
The Z-paks are the best things to happen to antibiotic treatment. Gone are the days of remembering when you should take your antibiotics, and guessing at how many to take each day. Azithromycin Z-paks make it simple: One dose pack of four azithromycin (Zithromax) 250 mg tablets taken over five days for most infections
Is azithromycin (500 mg) safe to take if I'm pregnant?
It’s important to let your health care provider know that you’re pregnant so that they can help assess whether or not taking azithromycin (Zithromax) is safe for you and help you find other options if appropriate.
Can Azithromycin be used for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Yes, Azithromycin can be used to treat certain STIs, particularly chlamydia, which is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. However, it may not be effective against all types of STIs.
Can Azithromycin be used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Azithromycin is not typically the first-line treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is more commonly used to treat respiratory tract infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). UTIs are primarily caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli, and other antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofurantoin, are usually recommended as the initial treatment.
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