What is azithromycin?

Azithromycin is an antibiotic, used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, such as inguinal granuloma, gonorrhea, etc.

The effect of azithromycin

Azithromycin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. The drug is a macrolide antibiotic. The drug works by blocking the growth of bacteria.

Azithromycin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. The drug is a macrolide antibiotic. The drug works by blocking the growth of bacteria.

Azithromycin has no effect on viral infections (such as the common cold or flu). Unnecessary use or abuse of any antibiotics can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug.

You can take this medication with food if you have stomach upset.

How should you use azithromycin?

Take the medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. You can take this medication with food if you have stomach upset.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Antibiotics work best when the drug concentration in the body is kept constant. So take this medication at the same time every day.

Keep taking this medication until you have completed the full course of treatment at the doctor's prescribed dose, even if the symptoms disappear after only a few days after you start taking the medication. Stopping the medication too soon can allow the bacteria to continue growing, which can lead to recurrent infections.

Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium may decrease the absorption of azithromycin if taken at the same time. If you must take antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, take them at least 2 hours before or after using azithromycin.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Preserving azithromycin

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, away from light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not store in the freezer. Each medication may have different storage methods. Read the directions on the package carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not throw medication into the toilet or plumbing unless required. Dispose of properly when the medicine is expired or cannot be used. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to take your medication.

Dosage of azithromycin for adults

Oral medications

Skin and soft tissue infections: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 3 days. Alternatively, a single dose of 500 mg on the first day, followed by a 250 mg dose once daily for 4 days.

Respiratory tract infections: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 3 days. Alternatively, a single dose of 500 mg on the first day, followed by a 250 mg dose once daily for 4 days.

Uncomplicated genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis: Adults: single dose of 1 g.

Uncomplicated gonorrhea: Adults: single dose 2 g.

Prophylaxis of complex Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection : Adults: 1.2 g once a week. For secondary prophylaxis or treatment: 500 mg once daily with other antimycobacterial drugs.

Granulomas in inguinal: Adults: Initially, a dose of 1 g, followed by a dose of 500 mg per day. Also, dose 1 g once a week for at least 3 weeks, until all lesions have fully recovered.

Intravenous drug form

Treatment of typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 7 days.

Dosage of azithromycin for children

Oral medications

Skin and soft tissue infections: Children:> 6 months: 10 mg / kg; 15 - 25 kg: 200 mg; 26 - 35 kg: 300 mg; 36 - 45 kg: 400 mg. Take once a day for 3 days.

Respiratory tract infections: Children over 6 months: 10 mg / kg; 15 - 25 kg: 200 mg; 26 - 35 kg: 300 mg; 36 - 45 kg: 400 mg. Take once a day for 3 days.

Prophylaxis of complex Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection : Children older than 6 months: 10 mg / kg once daily for 3 days.

Forms and concentrations of Azithromycin

Azithromycin has the following forms and contents:

• Tablets, oral medications: azithromycin 250mg, azithromycin 500mg, azithromycin 600mg, azithromycin 100mg.
• Suspension, oral drug: 1 g / 5 mL.
• Solution, eye drops: 1%.

Side effects

Call 911 immediately if you have any of the following signs of allergy: rash; shortness of breath; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using azithromycin and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects such as:

• Diarrhea with watery or watery stools;
• Headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or hard heartbeat;
• Nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (or eyes);
• Severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning in the eyes, skin pain, followed by widespread red or purple skin rash (especially in the face or upper body area) and cause blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• Mild diarrhea, nausea, constipation;
• Abdominal pain or discomfort;
• Dizziness, feeling tired, light headache;
• Feelings of nervousness, difficulty sleeping (insomnia);
• Itching or vaginal discharge;
• Rash or mild itching;
• Tinnitus, hearing problems;
• Decreased sense of taste or smell.

Not everyone exhibits the above side effects. There may be other side effects not mentioned. If you have any questions about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Note before using azithromycin

Before taking azithromycin, you should:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to azithromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), dirithromycin, erythromycin (EES, E - Mycin, Erythrocin), telithromycin (Ketek), any other medications, or any other States components in the tablet or suspension (liquid) azithromycin. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs you are taking or plan to take. Especially the following drugs: anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal); ergotamine (Ergomar); irregular heartbeat medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide (Procanbid), quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace, Sorine); nelfinavir (Viracept); phenytoin (Dilantin); and terfenadine. Your doctor may need to change the dose or monitor carefully for side effects.
• If you are taking an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others), you will need a certain interval between antacids and azithromycin tablets or mix Translate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the time before or after you take azithromycin. Prolonged release suspensions can be used at any time with antacids.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had jaundice (or eyes) or other liver problems when using azithromycin. Your doctor may not give you azithromycin.
• Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had QT prolongation syndrome (a rare heart problem that can cause abnormal heart rhythms, fainting, or sudden death) or heart palpitations, slow, or abnormal, and if you have low blood magnesium or potassium levels; if you have sepsis; heart failure; Cystic fibrosis; suffer from AIDS or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; myasthenia gravis (a condition in the muscles and nerves that control muscles); or if you have kidney or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using azithromycin, tell your doctor.

Things to keep in mind if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies to determine the risk of using this medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before taking medication, always consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks.

Drug Interactions Azithromycin

Drug interactions can alter the ability of the drug to work or increase the effects of side effects. This document does not include the full range of possible drug interactions. Write a list of all the medicines you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter and supplements) and show it to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not arbitrarily take, discontinue or change the dosage of the drug without a doctor's permission.

• Droperidol;
• Methadone;
• Nelfinavir;
• Antibiotics - clarithromycin, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine;
• Anticoagulants (warfarin, coumadin);
• Anticancer drugs - arsen trioxide, vandetanib;
• Antidepressants - citalopram, escitalopram;
• Antimalarial drugs - chloroquine, halofantrine;
• Medications to treat arrhythmia - amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol;
• Sedatives - chlorpromazine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine

Certain medicines should not be taken with meals or at the same time as certain foods because of the possible interaction. Alcohol and tobacco may also interact with certain drugs. Consult your health professional about taking medication with food, alcohol and tobacco.

Your medical condition may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any health problems, especially:

• Are allergic to any macrolide and ketolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, Biaxin®, Ery - tab®, or Ketek®);
• History of liver disease before using azithromycin. Should not be used if you have this condition;
• Bacterial infection (sepsis);
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Infection, or the risk of infection acquiring a hospital;
• Weakened immune system;
• Weak physical condition. This medicine should not be used to treat pneumonia if you have a weakened condition;
• Bradycardia;
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood), untreated;
• Hypoglycemia (low magnesium in the blood), untreated. Do not take the medication if you have this condition;
• Congestive heart failure
• Diarrhea;
• Heart disease;
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, syndrome of QT prolongation);
• Myasthenia. Used with caution, the drug can make this condition worse;
• Severe kidney disease;
• Liver disease - Use with caution. The effects of the drug may be increased because the process of eliminating drugs from the body takes place more slowly.

In an emergency or overdose, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest local health station.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take twice the prescribed dose.

Note: Information about medicines and proprietary medicines posted in the Family medicine cabinet section on Khoahoc.tv website is for reference only. Please consult with your doctor before deciding to treat any medicine to bring good effect and safety for your health.

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