Z Pack Vs Amoxicillin For Sinus Infection

Price Of Amoxicillin For Sinus

The average price of Amoxicillin for Sinus 500 mg Tablet is around Rs. 67.87 in the Indian market.

The medicine is available in a lot of forms-

• Capsules
• Tablets
• Powder for oral suspension

You should take amoxicillin exactly as prescribed by the doctor. You should also follow all the directions given on the label word-to-word and read the instruction sheet thoroughly.

One should take the medicine at the same hour of the day daily. If you are taking oral suspension, then shake the bottle before use. You can mix it with water, milk, baby formula, fruit juice or ginger ale.

In case you are taking tablets, do not crush, chew, or break the tablet before gulping it. Lastly, do not change the dose or schedule without consulting the doctor first.

Dosage Of Amoxicillin For Sinusitis

The medicine Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet can be orally taken in the form of pills. This medicine is generally prescribed to be taken once a day. As per prescription, this drug can be taken with/without food. Either complete the whole course or stop it only after proper consultation with the doctor.

The dosage of Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet depends on various factors-

• Type of infection
• Severity
• Patients age

For mild to moderate infection: Adults should take 250 mg orally every 8 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours.

For severe infection: Adults should take 500 mg orally every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours.

Why Are Antibiotics Important

Antibiotics are one of the most common classifications of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Since their introduction to the world of medicine, they have helped treat countless people, especially those with infectious diseases.

Antibiotics are very crucial during surgeries and are used to prevent patients from getting any infections from the cut. Without antibiotics, there is a higher chance of blood poisoning and the more complicated surgeries would not be possible to perform.

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Is Your Sinus Infection Caused By A Virus Or Bacteria

Physicians may not know if sinusitis is bacterial or viral, because the diagnosis is typically done by observing symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Thick nasal or post-nasal drainage

Sometimes other tests such as computed tomography scan or cultures are used to help make the diagnosis.

Despite the recommendations that antibiotic use be judicious, they are still overused for sinusitis, according to many physicians who specialize in treating sinus problems.

Some physicians say they give patients with sinusitis a prescription for antibiotics, and recommend they wait three to five days before filling it, and only fill it if symptoms are not better by then. A can be used to help relieve your symptoms and promote drainage.

The longer symptoms last, the more likely a sinus problem is to be a bacterial infection, some experts say.

Azithromycin Vs Amoxicillin: Differences Similarities And Which Is Better For You

Drug overview & main differences | Conditions treated | Efficacy | Insurance coverage and cost comparison | Side effects | Drug interactions | Warnings | FAQ

If you have ever suffered from a bacterial sinus infection or a variety of other types of bacterial infections, chances are you have taken an antibiotic. Azithromycin and amoxicillin are two of the most common antibiotics used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of bacterial infections, and will not work for viral infections such as the flu or common cold.

Azithromycin is also known by its brand name Zithromax . It is classified in a group of medications called macrolide antibiotics. Azithromycin works by binding to the bacteria and preventing the bacteria from producing proteins that it needs to survive. Azithromycin is commonly used to treat bacterial infections like sinus infections, pneumonia, and certain sexually transmitted diseases, to name a few.

Amoxicillin is known by its brand name of Amoxil, and it is classified in a group of medications called penicillin antibiotics. Amoxicillin works by preventing bacteria from forming cell walls, which kills the bacteria. Amoxicillin is commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as ear infections, pneumonia, and throat infections, among others.

Although both medications are antibiotics, they have many differences. Continue reading to learn more about azithromycin and amoxicillin.

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What Is Amoxicillin What Is Azithromycin

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, in the same class as ampicillin , piperacillin , and ticarcillin . Penicillin-type antibiotics do not directly kill bacteria, but they stop bacteria from multiplying by preventing them from forming the walls that surround them. Bacterial walls protect bacteria from their environment and keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria are unable to survive without a cell wall. Amoxicillin is effective against several different bacteria such as H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoea, E. coli, Streptococci, Pneumococci, and some strains of Staphylococci. Amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections of the middle ear, throat, tonsils, larynx , lungs , bronchi , urinary tract, and skin. It also is used to treat gonorrhea.

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and clarithromycin used to treat otitis media , tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, Mycobacterium avium complex, acute bacterial flare ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , acute pelvic inflammatory disease, and several sexually transmitted infectious diseases such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis. It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria such as Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, mycobacterium avium, and many others.

• rash, and
• allergic reactions.

Azithromycin

Main Differences Between Z Pack And Amoxicilin

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Standard Dosage And Length Of Treatment

Bacterial infections take a number of days to resolve, so one of the most important elements of antibiotic treatment is taking the prescribed dose every day until the treatment is finished.

Often, patients will take their antibiotic until they start feeling better and then stop taking the medication, even when they still have medication left in their prescription. This contributes to antibiotic resistance, as harmful bacteria learn to adapt to the antibiotic, making them more harmful in the future. Azithromycin is most commonly prescribed in the form of a Z-pak. Patients who are prescribed a Z-pak will take two tablets on day 1 of treatment, then one tablet each day for days 2 through 5. When used outside of a Z-pak, the length of treatment varies depending on the condition being treated. Most adults will take a daily dose of azithromycin that is between 500 and 2000 mg in strength over the course of several days. Amoxicillin doses vary depending on the infection being treated. Amoxicillin is most commonly prescribed at a dose of 500 mg taken three times per day over the course of ten days. Most adults will take a dose of amoxicillin that is between 250 mg and 875 mg, depending on how often the dose is taken.

When Antibiotics Are Appropriate Treatment

Antibiotics may be given to people who are less able to fight off infection, such as those with diabetes, or serious heart or lung disease.

In addition, antibiotics can be given to those whose symptoms have gotten worse or those who show no improvement after seven days.

If antibiotics are given, a 10- to 14-day course is recommended, according to the practice guidelines. Amoxicillin or amoxicillin clavulanate are typically the first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin.

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Does Using The Z Pack Add To Antibiotic Resistance

Overusing antibiotics threatens the safety of the population by contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria constantly adapt, which is how they continue to infect the human body. The more often bacteria interact with drugs such as antibiotics, the more they must adapt. This makes them stronger.

Antibiotic overuse may eventually lead to antibiotic resistance. This essentially means that the bacteria have become immune to the antibiotics. The estimate that each year in the U.S., antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause more than 23,000 deaths.

So, it is best to reserve the use of antibiotics for serious infections.

Can Sinus Headaches Be Prevented

To prevent sinus headaches, you can take steps to decrease the chance you will develop a sinus infection. These include:

• Treating seasonal allergies with antihistamines or nasal sprays.

• Treating nasal polyps. These can cause blockages that can lead to sinus infections. Polyps can be treated with corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase. Sometimes they need to be surgically removed if they arent getting better with nasal sprays.

• Cutting back or quitting smoking. Avoiding cigarette smoke can help prevent sinus infections.

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What Are The Best Antibiotics For Sinus Infection Do Doctors Prescribe For You

There are many antibiotics that your doctor or physician may prescribe to help treat your sinus infection. Some of these may even be familiar to you.

These antibiotics are effective in treating sinus infection, however, these drugs do carry side effects. You should only be taken according to what your doctor or physician has prescribed. Always follow their instructions to achieve the best results.

What Is The Typical Z

Z-Packs are available as a package containing 6 tablets, 250 mg each. Youll start by taking 2 tablets on the first day as a single dose, followed by 1 tablet on days 2 through 5. For children, the dosing is typically based on their weight and what condition is being treated. Theres a similar product called the Tri-Pak that comes with 3 tablets of azithromycin, each containing 500 mg. With this product, you typically take one tablet daily for 3 days.

Its important to take your Z-pack as prescribed. Try to take it at the same time every day youre supposed to take it until you finish the entire prescription regimen. Not completing your treatment can increase the risk that your infection returns and that the bacteria start becoming insensitive to azithromycin, known as antibiotic resistance. This makes the bacteria more difficult to treat.

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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.

Which Antibiotics Are Most Effective For Bacterial Sinusitis

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Antibiotics are indicated for sinusitis that is thought to be bacterial, including sinusitis that is severe or involves the frontal, ethmoid, or sphenoid sinuses, since this type of sinusitis is more prone to complications. Penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolides seem to be equally efficacious. A 5- to 10-day regimen of amoxicillin 500 mg 3 times a day is recommended as first-line therapy.

One study suggests that a single dose of 2 g of extended-release azithromycin may be more effective than a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanate. However, azithromycin is not likely a good choice in sinusitis because symptoms may improve only because of the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the agent and because it has poor efficacy against S pneumoniae and H influenzae. The risk of adverse effects should be weighed against the severity of disease and patient comorbidities prior to initiating antibiotic treatment.

Patterns of bacterial resistance should also be taken into account in the choice of antibiotic.

References

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Case & Commentary: Part 3

The patient’s hospital course was marked by multiorgan failure, septic shock, and spontaneous bowel perforation requiring hemicolectomy. Examination of the bowel showed Aspergillus, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis. Despite aggressive antifungal therapy, the patient ultimately succumbed to overwhelming infection and died.

This patient suffered a tragic outcome likely related to inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. While the complications and ultimate outcome of this case are exceedingly rare, unfortunately, the problem of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing remains common. Over the past decade, antibiotic prescribing for ARIs has decreased in response to publicity and education regarding antimicrobial resistance. However, prescribing rates for viral infections remain high: in 2002, nearly half of adults with nonspecific ARIs were still prescribed antibiotics. Limited success in reducing overall antibiotic prescribing may be counteracted by a marked increase in prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the use of which doubled during the 1990s.

Take-Home Points

Which Is Better For Sinus Infection Amoxicillin Or Azithromycin

A sinus infection may be caused by a virus or by bacteria . If your prescriber diagnoses you with a bacterial sinus infection, azithromycin or amoxicillin are appropriate, and very common, treatments. Your prescriber will also take into account allergies and other drugs you take that may interact with azithromycin or amoxicillin.

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How Zithromax Works

Zithromax belongs to a class of antibiotics called macrolides, which are bacteriostatic meaning they treat infections by preventing bacteria from multiplying and producing the proteins that are essential for their growth. Eventually, the remaining bacteria die or are killed by the immune system, not by the drug itself. This is in contrast to bactericidal antibiotics, which kill bacteria. Bactericidal drugs include fluoroquinolones and penicillin.

Zithromax does not break down in the body as quickly as other antibiotics. Instead of floating freely in the blood, the drug molecules are picked up by white blood cells that fight bacteria. The white blood cells take the medicine to the front lines of their struggle with germs, where it becomes concentrated in the tissues surrounding the infection. That concentration helps it remain in the body longer, which means patients need fewer doses to beat their infections.

What Are The Risks

Z-paks have been around long enough that the drug is known to be well tolerated by most patients, however, it does carry some risks.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pills can cause abnormal changes in the heart’s electrical activity that may lead to a fatal heart rhythm.

A benefit versus risk analysis should be performed on patients with existing QT interval prolongation, elderly patients and patients with a history of cardiac disease, Dr. Kobic said. But, overall the risk of ventricular arrhythmia is very low and reported as less than 1% in clinical trials.

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What Is The Dosage For Amoxicillin And Azithromycin

Amoxicillin

• For most infections in adults the dose of amoxicillin is 250 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 8 hours, 500 mg every 12 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours, depending on the type and severity of infection.
• For the treatment of adults with gonorrhea, the dose is 3 g given as one dose.
• For most infections, children older than 3 months but less than 40 kg are treated with 25 or 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 or 40 mg/kg/day with one-third of the daily dose given every 8 hours depending on the type and severity of the infection.
• Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food.

Azithromycin

• Azithromycin 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 .
• 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.