Zithromax Generic

Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and clarithromycin Biaxin. It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria organisms such as Hemophilus influenzae Streptococcus pneumoniae Mycoplasma pneumoniae Staphylococcus aureus and mycobacterium avium and many others. It is unusual in that it stays in the body for quite a while allowing for once a day dosing and for shorter treatment courses for most infections.

Azithromycin like all macrolide antibiotics prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their ability to make proteins. Due to the differences in the way proteins are made in bacteria and humans the macrolide antibiotics do not interfere with humans ability to make proteins.

Azithromycin should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after meals since it may bind to food and not be absorbed from the intestine. For most infections azithromycin is taken once daily for a relatively short course of treatment usually five days. The first dose is often a double dose twice as much as the remainder of the doses given. For acute bacterial sinusitis azithromycin way be taken once daily for three days. Zmax usually is given as a single 2 gm dose.

Azithromycin is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are diarrhea or loose stools nausea abdominal pain and vomiting each of which may occur in fewer than one in twenty persons who receive azithromycin. Rarer side effects include abnormal liver tests allergic reactions and nervousness.

Unlike erythromycin and clarithromycin azithromycin is generally considered free of interactions with most other medicines. It is recommended that azithromycin not be taken at the same time as aluminum- or magnesium- based antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox because antacids will bind the azithromycin and prevent it from being absorbed from the intestine.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling azithromycin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Trachoma treatment
Other than the above information there is no additional information relating to proper use precautions or side effects for this use.

If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses.

Azithromycin is effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of the middle ear tonsillitis throat infections laryngitis bronchitis pneumonia and sinuses. It is also effective against certain sexually transmitted infectious diseases such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis.

Capsules should be kept below 30°C 86°F. Suspension should be kept between 5° and 30°C 41° and 86°F.

When you are taking Azithromycin tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Azithromycin or to any related medicines such as erythromycin any other substances such as foods preservatives or dyes. Your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. brbrThe presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Azithromycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems like Liver disease Patients with severe liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or become worse check with your doctor.brbr
If you are pregnant planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding then inform your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking Azithromycin call your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Azithromycin passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.