Zithromax is in a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotic medications. Zithromax (azithromycin) fights bacteria in your body. Zithromax is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, skin infections, ear infections, and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

Uses of Zithromax

Zithromax is an antibiotic medication used to treat mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. Doctors may occasionally prescribe it for other reasons.

Zithromax Directions

How much Zithromax you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of Zithromax you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Carefully read the patient leaflet provided with Zithromax and reread it each time you get this prescription refilled. Take Zithromax exactly -as prescribed by your health care provider. Zithromax may be taken with or without food. Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum at the same time that you are taking Zithromax. Long-term or repeated use of Zithromax may cause a second infection. You may need to stop taking Zithromax and start another medication to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Take all of the prescribed medicine. Failure to take all of the Zithromax may prevent complete elimination of bacteria, allowing the infection to return. If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your health care provider at once. This could be a sign of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without talking to your doctor. Zithromax may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Zithromax may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other ultraviolet light. Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined. Do not stop taking Zithromax without checking with your doctor. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before using Zithromax. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements. Do not take more Zithromax than prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor or health care provider.

Zithromax Side Effects

Every medicine can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following occurs: Severe: Serious allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; bloody stools; chest pain; dark red raised areas of skin. Adults: Pounding in the chest. Children: Yellowing of the skin or eyes. Common: Adults: Diarrhea/loose stools; nausea; stomach pain. Children: Diarrhea/loose stools; stomach pain; vomiting; nausea; headache. Other: Adults: Indigestion; gas; vomiting; vaginal infection; dizziness; headache; feeling of a whirling motion; drowsiness; tiredness; itching; sensitivity to sunlight. Children: Chest pain; indigestion; constipation; loss of appetite; gas; oral infection; chills; dizziness; agitation; nervousness; sleeplessness; fever; tiredness; fungal infection; general body discomfort; pain; increased cough; sore throat; runny nose; itching; sweating; inflammation of the eye; dry, itchy skin.

Zithromax Precautions

Before using Zithromax, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; if you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have impaired liver function; if you have any other medical condition.

Missed Dose of Zithromax

If a dose of Zithromax is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Zithromax - Active on Nasty Bacteria!

Zithromax is part of the antibiotic group commonly known as macrolides, being an efficient solution for bacterial infections. The medication is generally indicated for infections of the respiratory system, those affecting the structure of the skin and auricular bacterial invasion. Zithromax is also administered in patients diagnosed with STD (sexually transmitted disease).

Other indications of Zithromax include:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - acute episode, reactivation of bacterial infection, caused by haemophilus influenza or streptococcus pneumoniae;
• bacterial sinusitis - caused by the same microorganisms;
• community acquired pneumonia - bacterial infection with Chlamydia or haemophilus influenza;
• pharyngitis or tonsil inflammation - Streptococcus pyogenes.

If you intend to follow a treatment with Zithromax, you should first seek specialized medical advice. The antibiotic is contraindicated to those who had a previous allergic reaction, including to similar medication such as erythromycin or clarithromycin. Zithromax can interact with a wide variety of drugs and thus it is very important to notify your doctor of all the medication you are currently taking. That includes prescription drugs but also any vitamins or herbal supplements.

The following medication is possible to interfere with Zithromax's mechanism of action:

• protease inhibitors used for treating HIV infection - Viracept;
• digitalis preparation for cardiac arrhythmia - digoxin;
• carbamazepine, cyclosporine;
• medication used to lower cholesterol levels;
• calcium channel blockers;
• anticoagulants - treatment of thrombus, especially warfarin;
• other antibiotics.

Zithromax must be taken for the entire period of time for which it was prescribed. You must not stop the treatment on your own accord, not even if you notice signs of improvement. The antibiotic is highly efficient when taken as prescribed, at regular intervals. If you do not respect the indications of the doctor and stop the treatment before time, bacteria will not be eliminated from your body and it will become much stronger, resisting to the medication.

If you have the time, you can always go online and search for additional information on the subject. You will discover that Zithromax is not recommended to be taken at the same time with medication that contains metals, including aluminum, magnesium or zinc. This indication is particularly valid for those who have been diagnosed with gastric hyperacidity and take antacids on a daily basis. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about all the indications of the treatment. You will have to let him/her know if you suffer from any disease, including something that affects the heart, the liver of the kidneys. Certain medical conditions, such as heart arrhythmia or long QT syndrome might require specific dosage adjustment and additional laboratory tests to be performed.

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, nocosomial pneumonia or those who are suspected of mental illness or severe bacteremia, are not recommended to follow a treatment with Zithromax. For them, oral therapy might do more harm than good.

Zithromax is not contraindicated for pregnant women but they are advised to contact their doctor and discuss about taking this treatment. That is also valid if you are breast-feeding as studies regarding Zithromax and human milk were found to be inconclusive. Each tablet or capsule of this antibiotic should be taken with a full glass of water. When it comes to capsules, these are usually indicated to be taken without food, if possible with one hour before eating and two hours after). Zithromax is also available as oral suspension, to be taken with or without food.

The tablets available for oral use are film-coated and of a capsular shape. They contain 250 or 500 mg of active substance, meaning azithromycin. As it was already said, Zithromax is also available as oral suspension, with a dosage of 300, 600, 900 and 1000 mg azithromycin dihydrate per bottle. When prepared, 5 ml of suspension contains either 100 or 200 mg of azithromycin.

When taken in high doses, Zithromax can lead to overdose, a situation requiring immediate medical attention. The following symptoms can indicate a dose too heavily of Zithromax: nausea, vomiting, frequent bowel movements and extreme stomach pain. Patients have also experienced allergic reactions, including skin rashes and urticaria, difficult breathing and swelling in the face. Life-threatening anaphylactic reactions include swelling of the throat associated with angioedema. Those who are allergic to Zithromax should benefit from emergency medical assistance, the drug being removed from the system as quickly as possible.

There are also serious side-effects likely to appear when follows a treatment with Zithromax. These may include: diarrhea (watery or accompanied by blood), pain in the chest associated with palpitations, irregular pulse, anorexia, dark coloration of urine and icterus. Vertigo, headaches and lightheadedness are possible to appear.