What is Zithromax?
Zithromax is a brand name for the azalide antibiotic azithromycin. It is used in the treatment of a large number common infections. Azalides are a type of macrolide antibiotics which are related to erythromycin and clarithromycin. Among the infections for which it is used are middle ear infections, pneumonia, typhoid, pelvic inflammatory disease, pharyngitis, sinusitis and tonsillitis as well as STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Some doctors may prescribe Zithromax off-label for the treatment of acne, bacterial heart infections, whooping cough and certain opportunistic infections in patients with HIV.
How does Zithromax work?
Zithromax obstructs protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to a subunit of the bacteria’s ribosome. This prevents the bacteria from reproducing. It is concentrated in phagocytes and so is transported by the body itself to any infection site.
What does Zithromax look like?
Zithromax is sold in a large number of forms and the oral forms include both tablets and capsules. Tablets are available in 250 and 500 mg. These are elliptical pink tablets imprinted with “Pfizer 306” and Pfizer ZTM500” respectively. There is also an elliptical white tablet with a strength of 600 mg which is imprinted with “308 Pfizer”. The drug is also available in a red 250 mg capsule as well as an oral suspension, an injectable solution and a 1% ophthalmic solution.
Zithromax dosing and administration
The standard prescription schedule for Zithromax is either 250 mg or 500 mg once daily for between three and five days. Your doctor may prescribe a different schedule if the drug is being used to treat chronic infections. For sexually transmitted disease, the standard treatment is between 1 and 2 grams in a single dose. The recommended dosage for children is between 5 and 20 mgs per kilogram of body weight once daily for three to five days.
Common side effects of Zithromax
The side effects most commonly seen in Zithromax treatment are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache and pruritis. Thee have been infrequent cases of hepatitis and delirium as well as indigestion, kidney failure, low blood pressure, vertigo, ringing in the ears, parasthesia and dehydration. Thrombocytopenia and serious intestinal infections may also occur occasionally.
Zithromax warnings and precautions
Zithromax should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney or liver disease. If you have either of these conditions it is important that you discuss them with your doctor before beginning treatment with Zithromax. Zithromax is known to be found in the milk of nursing mothers taking the drug. It may also increase the incidence of oral and vaginal yeast infections.
Zithromax and oral contraceptives.
Zithromax may modify the action of oral contraceptives and supplementary forms of contraception should be used while taking Zithromax to ensure that pregnancy does not occur.
Interactions with Zithromax
Taking Zithromax with Warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding. Antacid preparations may obstruct the absorption of Zithromax. There may also be interactions with digoxin, cyclosporine, phenytoin, triazolam, ergot derivatives, theophylline, carbamazepine, nelfinavir and quinine among other drugs.
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