Zithromax

Generic name: Azithromycin

Drug class: Macrolides

Dosage forms: Tablet, Suspension, Extended-release Suspension

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 250, 500 mg, 500 mg/ vial, 100 mg/ 5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml, 1g

Mechanism of action: It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, which leads to the suppression of bacterial growth and the eventual eradication of the infection.

Drug usage cases: Zithromax is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria Zithromax should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

Drug contra indications: You should not use Zithromax if you are allergic to azithromycin, or if:

you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking Zithromax; or you are allergic to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin. To make sure Zithromax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease; kidney disease; myasthenia gravis; a heart rhythm disorder; or low levels of potassium in your blood; or long QT syndrome (in you or a family member). Do not give Zithromax to a child younger than 6 months old.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zithromax: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling). Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using Zithromax. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody; fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Call your doctor right away if a baby taking Zithromax becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing. may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Warnings: You should not use Zithromax if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking azithromycin.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Zithromax is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.