Zithromax Basics
Zithromax has to be one of the most convenient antibiotics that you
can take and you may have taken a 5-day Zithromax Z-PAK yourself a time
or two. The fact that you can also take just a three or one day course
of zithromax makes it particularly popular with parents of children
who don't like to take medicine.
What Zithromax Is Used For
In children, Zithromax can be used to treat acute otitis media (ear
infections), community acquired pneumonia, and pharyngitis or tonsillitis
caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat). Keep in mind that zithromax
is not usually considered to be a first line antibiotic though. For
example, penicillin should usually be used for strep throat, and zithromax
is used only if a child is allergic to penicillin. And the AAP recommends
Amoxil as the first line drug for ear infections.
Zithromax Facts
Zithromax is often used off-label for many other mild to moderate
Pediatric infections that are caused by susceptible bacteria, including
sinus infections (sinusitis), Cat Scratch Disease, chronic bronchitis
with a secondary bacterial infection, walking pneumonia, and pertussis.
Zithromax Side Effects
For children taking a 5-day course of Zithromax, the most common side
effects include diarrhea and loose stools, abdominal pain, vomiting,
nausea, and rash. When children take the larger one time dose, side
effects were the same, but the incidence of vomiting and diarrhea were
higher. Like other antibiotics, zithromax can also rarely cause allergic
reactions. See the full prescribing information sheet for a list of
all known side effects.
Who Should Not Take Zithromax
Children with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to zithromax, erythromycin
or any other macrolide antibiotic should not take Zithromax.
Dosing: Azithromycin (except Zmax) can be taken with or without
food, but food reduces stomach upset. Zmax should be taken on an empty
stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal since food reduces its
absorption. The adult azithromycin dose is 500-2000 mg in multiple or
single doses. 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.
Drug interactions: Azithromycin (except Zmax) should 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.Pregnancy: There are no adequate
studies of azithromycin in pregnant women. Azithromycin should only
be used during pregnancy if it is clearly necessary.
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