azithromycin, azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic related to erythromycin.

it is prescribed for adults to treat certain mild to moderate skin infections; upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis (strep throat), tonsillitis, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia; sexually transmitted infections of the cervix or urinary tract; and genital ulcer disease in men.

in children, azithromycin is used to treat middle ear infection, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and strep throat.

antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

azithromycin is effective against a wide variety of bacteria organisms such as hemophilus influenzae, streptococcus pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, staphylococcus aureus, and mycobacterium avium, and many others.

it is unusual in that it stays in the body for quite a while, allowing for once a day dosing and for shorter treatment courses for most infections.

azithromycin, azithromycin, like all macrolide antibiotics, prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their ability to make proteins. due to the differences in the way proteins are made in bacteria and humans, the macrolide antibiotics do not interfere with humans' ability to make proteins.

take zithromax capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. zithromax tablets and oral suspension can be taken with or without food.
do not take any form with an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium, such as di-gel, gelusil, maalox, and others.

if you are using single-dose packets of zithromax powder for oral suspension, mix the entire contents of each packet with 2 ounces of water, drink immediately, then add an additional 2 ounces of water, mix again, and drink to make sure you've taken the entire dose. when giving the pediatric suspension, shake the bottle thoroughly before each use and measure the dose with the supplied calibrated dropper. use the pediatric suspension within 10 days and throw out any that remains. be sure to take all the drug prescribed. if you stop taking zithromax too soon, some germs may survive and the illness may return.

zithromax dosage for adults:

• respiratory diseases, tonsillitis, strep throat, and skin infections: the usual dose of zithromax is 500 milligrams in a single dose the first day. this is followed by 250 milligrams once daily for the next 4 days. alternatively, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be prescribed 500 milligrams a day for 3 days.
  
  
• genital ulcer disease: the usual dose is a single gram (1,000 milligrams) one time only.
  
  
• sexually transmitted diseases: the usual dose is a single 2-gram (2,000 milligrams) dose

zithromax dosage for children:

• middle ear infection: for children aged 6 months and up, treatment may be given three ways. one option is a single dose of 30 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight. another option is a dose of 10 milligrams per 2.2 pounds given each day for 3 days. zithromax can also be given over a period of 5 days, starting with a dose of 10 milligrams per 2.2 pounds on the first day and continuing with daily doses of 5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds for the next 4 days.
  
  
• pneumonia: for children aged 6 months and up, the usual dose is 10 milligrams of zithromax suspension per 2.2 pounds of body weight in a single dose the first day, followed by 5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds for the next 4 days.
  
  
• strep throat and tonsillitis: for children aged 2 years and up, the usual dose is 12 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight once daily for 5 days.

zithromax overdosage: although no specific information on zithromax overdose is available, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. if you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. if you miss a dose: take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. if you don't remember until the next day, skip the dose and go back to your regular schedule. never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose.

storage instructions for zithromax: it should be stored at room temperature.

preparations zithromax: tablets: 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg capsules: 250mg suspension: 100 mg/teaspoon, 200 mg/teaspoon

do not take zithromax with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, such as maalox and mylanta.

if zithromax is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining zithromax with the following: nelfinavir (viracept), warfarin (coumadin), digoxin (lanoxin, lanoxicaps), ergot-containing drugs such as cafergot and d.h.e., cyclosporine (neoral and sandimmune), hexobarbital, phenytoin (dilantin).

special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding: if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. you should take azithromycin during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed.

it is not known whether azithromycin can make its way into breast milk. if the drug is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

side effects of azithromycin cannot be anticipated. if any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking azithromycin.

more common side effects of azithromycin may include, abdominal pain, diarrhea or loose stools, nausea or vomiting.

less common side effects of azithromycin may include blood in the stools, chest pain, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, gas, headache, heart palpitations, indigestion, itching, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), kidney infection, light sensitivity, rash, severe allergic reaction including swelling (as in hives), vaginal inflammation, vertigo, yeast infection.

other uncommon side effects of azithromycin: sometimes seen in children include: agitation, constipation, cough, facial swelling, feeling of illness, fever, fungal infection, insomnia, loss of appetite, nervousness, over activity, pinkeye, runny nose, shortness of breath, sore throat, stomach inflammation, sweating.

the single large dose of azithromycin that is prescribed to treat sexually transmitted infection of the cervix or urinary tract is more likely to cause stomach and bowel side effects than the smaller doses prescribed for a skin or respiratory tract infection.