How Long To Take It
Take your azithromycin for the duration prescribed by your provider.
Usually, this is between 3-10 days. Make sure to take the medication on time and complete the full treatment course before discontinuing the drugeven if youve begun to feel better.
Starting and quitting the drug before the specified day can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.
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What Other Drugs Will Affect Zithromax
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
-
nelfinavir or
-
a blood thinner – warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with azithromycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
How To Treat A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
Before you consider antibiotics, a sinus infection can be treated without leaving at home. Some of the home remedies to treat a sinus infection without antibiotics include:
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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Otitis Media
KALYANAKRISHNAN RAMAKRISHNAN, MD, FRCSE RHONDA A. SPARKS, MD and WAYNE E. BERRYHILL, MD
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Am Fam Physician. 2007 Dec 1 76:1650-1658.
Patient information: See related handout on ear infections in children, written by the authors of this article.
Acute otitis media, a viral or bacterial infection of the middle ear, is the most common infection for which antibiotics are prescribed for children in the United States.1,2 Direct and indirect costs of treatment and time lost from school and work because of acute otitis media totaled nearly $3 billion in 1995.3 Acute otitis media is most common between six and 24 months of age by age three, more than 80 percent of children have been diagnosed.4
Otitis media with effusion is middle ear effusion in the absence of acute infection. About 2.2 million cases of otitis media with effusion occur annually in the United States.5 Chronic suppurative otitis media is persistent infection and resultant perforation of the tympanic membrane.6 This article will review recent evidence, including the evidence-based guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, about the diagnosis and treatment of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion.1,5
Can I Use Azithromycin Or Amoxicillin While Pregnant
Your healthcare provider will determine the best antibiotic to use if you are pregnant and need an antibiotic. Azithromycin is a pregnancy category B, but there have not been well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Amoxicillin is also a pregnancy category B, and like azithromycin, there have not been adequate studies with pregnant women. Therefore, azithromycin or amoxicillin should be prescribed if benefits to the mother outweigh risks to the baby, and under close observation of the healthcare provider.
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Is Azithromycin Or Amoxicillin Better
While both drugs are effective, it is best to see your healthcare provider who can determine if you do indeed have a bacterial infection. A viral infection does not respond to antibiotics and can increase drug resistance. Based on the type of infection, and what particular bacteria is causing the infection, your healthcare provider can decide if one of these drugs is appropriate for you.
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to azithromycin.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the azithromycin, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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The Rise Of Antimicrobial Resistance
Today, doctors have a better understanding of which antibiotics are best used for which illnesses and how the overuse of antibiotics like Z-paks contribute to antibiotic resistance. The more we use antibiotics inappropriately, the more we create bacteria that are resistant.
Its interesting that we used to think of azithromycin as a cure-all for everything, because thats what led to overprescribing and its demise, said Emir Kobic, a clinical pharmacy specialist in infectious diseases at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. Its no longer the first line antibiotic physicians should be prescribing for patients with community-acquired pneumonia where Streptococcus pneumoniae still tends to be the most common bacterial culprit.
The inappropriate use and overuse of Z-paks has led Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance rates to rise as high as 20-30% in America, Dr. Kobic said. This stat should be concerning, because the majority of pharmaceutical companies are not investing to develop new antibiotics, and if they are patients will be paying higher co-pays and out of pocket costs on future antibiotics.
Theres More Nuance To Antibiotic Prescribing Than You Might Realize
The way doctors think about prescribing all antibioticsnot just Z-Packshas evolved since these medications were introducted.
First off, both of the experts SELF spoke to for this story emphasize that what may seem like a penicillin allergyor, more likely, what youve been told all your life is a penicillin allergymay not be a true allergy. Many people, like me, grow up being told that they had some kind of a rash or other vaguely bad reaction after getting penicillin treatment as a baby, which is very possibly true. But people grow out of these sorts of reactions, Dr. Vijayan says, and doctors now appreciate just how exceptionally rare true penicillin allergies are.
About 10 percent of patients report a penicillin allergy, according to estimates from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , but about 90 percent of them may not actually have one. So, many of the people who took Z-Packs because they thought it was their only option may have been perfectly fine just getting the penicillin instead, making them even more egregiously overprescribed.
Weve also come to understand that there are shades of gray to the conventional wisdom of taking every last dose of your antibiotic, even if you feel better long before that, Dr. Vijayan says. The truth is that, for many antibiotics that are routinely prescribed in primary care, a shorter course is totally finesometimes even betterthan a longer one.
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What Is A Z
The Z-Pack is a prescription package that contains six tablets that are typically taken over 5 days. Your specific dosage will depend on your diagnosis. Azithromycin is a popular antibiotic medication that treats a variety of health conditions. It works by stopping the growth of certain types of bacteria. It does not work against viruses.
Also referred to as Z-Paks, Z-Packs are easy to use, generally affordable, and highly effective. Azithromycin is quickly absorbed when you take it by mouth, easily entering your body tissues so it can fight the bacteria causing your infection and stay active for a long time. Z-Packs are also safe to take alongside numerous other medications.
Will The Antibiotic Z
Mitchell Cohen, M.D.
WARNING: Limitations of Online Doctor/Medical Consultations and Online Prescriptions, QuickRxRefills Cannot and Will NOT Prescribe, Dispense, or Resell any and all medications Narcotics/Controlled Substances ) for Anti-depressants, Pain, Anxiety, Weightloss, Sleep, ADHD/ADD, Anabolic Steroids, Testosterone Replacement Therapy and any and all Medications that contain GabaPentin or Pseudroephedrine including non-controlled substances or any medications that are considered controversial, Off Labeled or recalled in nature such . Furthermore, QuickRxRefills is not a substitute for an office based physician in your location nor is it a substitute for Emergency Medical Care or 911. If you do experience a “true” medical emergency your are encouraged to pick up the phone and dial 911 as soon as possible.
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For Pharyngitis Or Tonsillitis
Adult dosage
Your doctor may prescribe 500 mg in a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg once per day on days 2 through 5.
Child dosage
The typical dosage is 12 mg/kg of body weight once per day for 5 days.
Child dosage
This drug should not be used for this condition in children who are younger than 2 years.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Is Azithromycin Stronger Than Amoxicillin
Its difficult to compare strength because each medication is in a different category of antibiotics. They have some similarities and some differences, but we cant really say which is stronger. Instead, it is important to look at what infection is being treated, what bacteria is causing the infection, and any other medical conditions you have and any drugs you take that can interact with azithromycin or amoxicillin. Your healthcare provider can determine which drug is more appropriate for you.
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Possible Risks And Side Effects Of Azithromycin
The most common side effects of azithromycin are not life-threatening for most people.
Still, its worth knowing what they are so you dont panic, and can get help from your doctor if needed.
Side effects you may experience with azithromycin are:
- Upset stomach
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- HIV medicines
If you take any of these medications, your provider may need to prescribe alternative medication or recommend pausing them for the duration of your antibiotic treatment.
Should I Take A Z Pack For A Cold
There is no reason to take a Z pack to treat a cold. The common cold is a viral infection, most often a rhinovirus. Viruses are not susceptible to antibiotics such as the Z pack.
Specific antivirals may target and kill viruses, but the Z pack is not one of them. Taking the Z pack will not help with a cold in any way.
The common cold usually lasts a few days, and the body can deal with it without outside help.
So, in general, there is not much that a person needs to do when fighting a cold, as the body will do the most work.
However, there are some things a person can do to help support the body, including:
- drinking extra water
- getting plenty of rest
- avoiding too much activity
If symptoms become uncomfortable or interfere with daily life, over-the-counter drugs may help treat symptoms until the body can get rid itself of the underlying infection.
Some drugs, such as acetaminophen , target symptoms individually, which helps reduce fever and pain. Other drugs, such as cough syrups, may contain different medicines to treat many symptoms at once.
Always follow the instructions on the label and avoid using these drugs in children. Some drugs have childrens versions available, and anyone who is uncertain should talk to their pediatrician before dosing their child.
The common cold tends to go away on its own, as the body deals with the underlying viral infection. There are still steps a person can take to help prevent the cold or prevent the spread of the cold.
These include:
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Zithromax Effectiveness In Clinical Trials
In clinical trials, Zithromax was effective at fighting bacterial infection, including some antibiotic-resistant strains.
Studies conducted before approval of the drug measured its minimum inhibitory concentration in relation to a host of bacteria. MIC is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that will inhibit the growth of bacteria and thereby kill them. A lower MIC means a more effective antibiotic.
In a 1991 study in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, researchers found Zithromax had a markedly low MIC against some bacteria compared with three other types of antibiotics, meaning it was highly effective for example, resolving 92 percent of gonorrhea infections treated.
Are There Alternatives To The Z
The medications clarithromycin or are sometimes used as alternatives to the Z-Pak, according to Chirag Shah, MD, board-certified emergency medicine physician and co-founder of Push Health. However, these alternatives will not always work to treat the infection for which the Z-Pak was prescribed in the first place, and consultation with ones medical provider is recommended before changing medications.
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What Are The Most Common Antibiotics Used For Sinusitis
Amoxicillin remains the drug of choice for acute, uncomplicated bacterial sinusitis. Amoxicillin is most effective when given frequently enough to sustain adequate levels in the infected tissue. While often prescribed twice daily, it is even more effective if taken in 3 or 4 divided doses. Amoxicillin is typically prescribed for 7-10 days at a time. While it is critical to finish the entire 10 day course of antibiotics when treating strep throat, there is evidence that shorter courses of treatment may be sufficient for most cases of sinusitis. Amoxicillin is closely related to the parent compound penicillin and should not be prescribed in patients who are penicillin allergic.
Cephalosporins and Augmentin are considered broad-spectrum antibiotics because they have enhanced effectiveness against a wider range of bacteria, including those that are resistant to ordinary penicillin or amoxicillin. If the patient does not improve within the first week on amoxicillin, a change to Augmentin or to a cephalosporin such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, or Suprax is reasonable. Although these drugs have a similar mechanism of action to penicillin, they generally can be taken in adequate doses once or twice daily. These medications should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of penicillin allergy, as cross-reaction may occur.
Additional resources:
Wait Remind Me What Z
A Z-Pack is literally just azithromycin, a standard antibiotic introduced in 1992, formulated in a package of six pills, which are taken over five days.
That short time commitment was a huge part of their appeal. Other antibiotics may require multiple doses a day for 10 or 14 days at a time, Tara Vijayan, M.D., assistant clinical professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, tells SELF. The Z-Pack was a nice defined course and relatively short, she says. It made people feel like they can do this they can complete their course and theyll be done with it.
Plus, the ones I took were usually hot pink and came in a blister pack rather than a bottlefactors that mattered a lot to a sick and miserable 8-year-old me. They were cheap, easy, cute, and they had a little marketing zing, Neha Vyas, M.D., a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.
And, Dr. Vyas says, theyre indicated for a bunch of different health issues , which made them an appealing option when the first-line treatments werent available. For instance, before azithromycin, if you had a penicillin allergy and needed an antibiotic for a case of strep throat, your only option was likely a cephalosporin antibiotic, which still has some cross-reactivity with penicillin allergies, Dr. Vyas explains. So, if there were any worries about allergies, a Z-Pack was an obvious, nearly all-purpose choice.
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About The Qt Interval
So, what is the QT interval and how does Z-Pack affect it?
The QT interval is a measurement/reading made on an electrocardiogram . According to Practical Clinical Skills:
âThe QT interval represents the time of ventricular activity including both depolarization and repolarization. It is measured from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave. Normally, the QT interval is 0.36 to 0.44 seconds . The QT interval will vary with patient gender, age and heart rate. Another guideline is that normal QT Intervals is less than half of the R-R Interval for heart rates below 100 bpm.â This is for the clinician to interpret not the layman patient.â
What does this mean for you? A long QT interval increases the risk of a dangerous arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia. So, people with a longer QT interval are already at risk of cardiac problems, and Z-Pack can further increase this risk.
How And When To Take It
Azithromycin is usually taken once a day, unless you’re having it by injection. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day.
The usual dose is 500mg a day for 3 to 10 days depending on the infection being treated.
For some infections, you’ll be given a one-off higher dose of 1g or 2g.
The dose may be lower for children or if you have liver or kidney problems.
Azithromycin is sometimes prescribed long term to prevent chest infections if you keep getting them. In this case, it’s usually taken 3 times a week, often on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Who Should Use Antibiotic Eardrops
Antibiotic eardrops can be more effective and safer for:
- People with Swimmers Ear, an infection caused by water in the ear.
- Children who have tubes in their ears. The tubes prevent most infections behind the eardruman area known as the middle ear. If there is an infection, antibiotic eardrops can be given right through the tube.