Tablets Zithromax is an antibiotic from the group of macrolides. They are used to treat various diseases caused by bacteria that are sensitive to the active ingredient of the drug.
A distinctive feature of the drug is the time of its excretion from the body. It continues to be effective even a day after taking it. This strikingly distinguishes it from other antibiotics, which will have to be taken much more often and in higher concentrations to achieve the same effect.
How Zithromax antibiotic work
Zithromax affects the ribosomes of a bacterial cell, as a result of which protein synthesis is disrupted, followed by growth arrest and death of the microorganism. Depending on the concentration, azithromycin can have a bacteriostatic (suppresses the growth and reproduction of bacterial cells) or bactericidal (leads to the death of microorganisms) effect. In relation to bacteria, the drug has a wide spectrum of activity. It has an inhibitory effect on gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacteria), some types of anaerobic microorganisms. Zithromax has a fairly high activity against microorganisms of pathogens of sexual infections.
Indications of the medicine
The main medical indication for the use of Zithromax antibiotic pills is an infectious pathology, the development of which is caused by bacteria sensitive to the active ingredient:
- Diseases of the urogenital tract – urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cervicitis (inflammatory process that develops in the cervix) in women, infections with a predominantly sexual transmission (chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis).
- ENT pathology – sinusitis (pathology of the paranasal sinuses), tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), otitis media (a pathological process localized mainly in the middle ear).
- Infections in the lower respiratory tract – bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).
- Pathological processes localized in the skin and soft tissues – the initial stage of Lyme disease, pyoderma, erysipelas, impetigo.
Depending on the severity of the course of an infectious disease, Zithromax may be prescribed alone or in combination with other antibacterial drugs of other groups.
Zithromax and prostatitis
Doctors often prescribe Zithromax for viral and bacterial prostatitis because of the ability of the antibiotic to inhibit the growth of extracellular and intracellular microbes and the ability to accumulate precisely in the focus of infection. It concentrates in the affected tissues of the gland, effectively destroying the colony of microorganisms.
Dosage of the drug
The medicine is used most often 1 time per day, one hour before a meal or 2 hours after it. The doctor may prescribe a three-day course of treatment at 0.5 g daily. Or on the first day of treatment 0.5 g, and in the next 4 days – 0.25 g each. In the case of genitourinary infections, treatment with the drug can be reduced to a single dose of 1 g, i.e., 2 tablets of 0.5 g once.
For children, the dose of Azithromycin antibiotic is calculated based on body weight.
Exceeding the recommended therapeutic dosage of Zithromax tablets leads to the appearance or intensification of signs of the development of negative reactions from various organs and systems. The first symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss. Overdose treatment is carried out by a medical specialist, it includes washing the stomach, intestines, the appointment of intestinal sorbents (activated charcoal), as well as symptomatic therapy. There is no specific antidote for Zithromax today.
Contraindications and side effects
Contraindications for the drug have one general structure and are divided into different ones, depending on the form of release of the antibiotic.
Contraindications for use:
- individual intolerance to azithromycin and other components that make up the drug;
- impaired liver function in a severe stage;
- combined use with ergotamine and dihydroergotamine;
- children’s age for certain forms of release.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of an antibiotic is possible with a doctor’s prescription and if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the potential risk to the fetus.
With caution, Azithromycin tablets are used for moderate renal or hepatic insufficiency, pathological conditions of the heart, accompanied by a prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram, as well as when taken together with certain other medications (warfarin, digoxin, antiarrhythmic drugs). Before prescribing medication, the doctor must make sure that there are no contraindications.
Against the background of the use of an antibiotic, side effects from various body systems may occur: circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, cardiovascular.
While taking Azithromycin, the following reactions may occur:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- indigestion
- Dizziness and headache
- Arrhythmia
- Tachycardia
- Nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, etc. can also be observed.
When taking Azithromycin in individuals, laboratory parameters of liver function change, liver failure develops.
Where to buy Zithromax antibiotic
If you are looking to buy Zithromax, there are several places that offer it. You can purchase it from your local pharmacy or online through various retailers. Online pharmacies often have the best prices and quickly deliver, so this is a great option for those who need their medication right away.
Additionally, if you have insurance, many of these online pharmacies will accept your coverage and provide discounts as well. Finally, some larger retail stores also stock the drug in their over-the-counter section, which may be easier to access than going to a pharmacy or ordering it online. No matter where you choose to buy Zithromax from, make sure that the source is reliable and trustworthy before making any purchases.