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Azithromycin

 

Azithromycin (generic Zithromax) Review

brand names: Z-Pak, Zithromax
generic name: Azithromycin

Why is Zithromax prescribed?

Zithromax is an antibiotic related to erythromycin. It is prescribed for adults to treat certain mild to moderate skin infections; upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis (strep throat), tonsillitis, sinus infections, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia; sexually transmitted infections of the cervix or urinary tract; and genital ulcer disease in men. In children, Zithromax is used to treat middle ear infection, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and strep throat.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Call 1-800-222-1222 to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm ), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; upset stomach; nausea; vomiting.

Proper storage of Zithromax (Azithromycin) :

Store Zithromax at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zithromax (Azithromycin) out of the reach of children and away from pets.

How does it work?

Zithromax capsules and suspension contain the active ingredient azithromycin, which is a type of medicine called a macrolide antibiotic. (NB. Azithromycin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Azithromycin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Azithromycin works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Azithromycin therefore stops the spread of infection and remaining bacteria are killed by the body's immune system or eventually die.

Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections. Azithromycin may be used to treat infections of the upper or lower airways, skin or soft tissue, or ears. It is also be used to treat the sexually-transmitted infection chlamydia.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to azithromycin your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•pneumonia
•stomach problems (especially colitis)
•other chronic illness
•an unusual or allergic reaction to azithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), foods, dyes, or preservatives
•breast-feeding

Special warnings about Zithromax (Azithromycin)

Like certain other antibiotics, Zithromax (Azithromycin) may cause a potentially life-threatening form of diarrhea called pseudomembranous colitis. Pseudomembranous colitis may clear up spontaneously when the drug is stopped; if it doesn't, hospital treatment may be required. If you develop diarrhea, check with your doctor immediately.

If you have a liver problem, your doctor should monitor you very carefully while you are taking Zithromax (Azithromycin).

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Zithromax (Azithromycin)

Do not take Zithromax (Azithromycin) with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, such as Maalox and Mylanta.

If Zithromax (Azithromycin) is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either could be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zithromax with the following:

Nelfinavir (Viracept)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
Ergot-containing drugs such as Cafergot and D.H.E.
Cyclosporine (Neoral and Sandimmune)
Hexobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)