Zithromax (generic name: Azithromycin; brand names: APO-Azithromycin / Zithromac / Vinzam / Zmax / Sumamed / Zitrocin / Aziswift) is in a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics.
Zithromax is prescribed for adults to treat certain mild to moderate skin infections; upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis (strep throat), tonsillitis, sinus infections, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia; sexually transmitted infections of the cervix or urinary tract; and genital ulcer disease in men.
Zithromax is commonly used to treat Chlamydia. Zithromax is also used to prevent infections by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Avium-intracellulare Complex (MAC) in some people.
In children, Zithromax is used to treat middle ear infection, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and strep throat.
Zithromax prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their protein synthesis.
Zithromax may also be used for purposes other than those listed here; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Zithromax exactly as directed.
Zithromax may be taken on an empty stomach or with food.
The dose will depend on your infection. The usual dose to treat Chlamydia is two 500 mg tablets taken as a single dose. For other infections Zithromax is usually taken once a day. Sometimes the dose is taken once a week. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.
To clear up your infection completely, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will make it easier to remember.
If you are taking an antacid (e.g., Gastrogel, Mylanta), take it at least one hour before or two hours after your Zithromax dose. This will avoid any possible effect of the antacid on the absorption of Zithromax.
If you miss a dose of Zithromax and you are taking Zithromax for three days or longer, take it as soon as you remember (within a 24- hour period), then continue as normal. Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.
Like many antibiotics, this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, you may want to use an additional form of birth control.
Keep Zithromax at room temperature, away from heat and light.
Precautions
Before taking Zithromax, tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any medicines;
you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
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