Zithromax

Generic Name: Zithromax
US Brand Name: Azithromycin

Uses

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic related to erythromycin.It fights bacteria in the body. Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Active Ingredients: Azithromycin Anhydrous
Inactive Ingredients: sodium lauryl sulfate, dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, titanium dioxide, pregelatinized starch, sodium croscarmellose, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, lactose, triacetin and D&C Red #30 aluminum lake.

Dosage and Forms

Azithromycin is available in capsules, oral suspension and tablets.
Take Azithromycin exactly as your doctor prescribed it for you. Each tablet should be taken with a full glass of water. Azithromycin tablets 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. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully.
Azithromycin is generally safe. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Contraindications and Precautions

Azithromycin is contraindicated to children with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to zithromax, erythromycin or any other macrolide antibiotic.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: diarrhea that is watery or bloody; chest pain, uneven heartbeats; nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Azithromycin. These include:

• antacids (medicines used to treat indigestion)
• coumarin-type oral anti-coagulants (a medicine used to prevent blood clots)
• cyclosporin (a medicine used to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat certain problems with the immune system)
• digoxin (a medicine used to treat heart failure)
• ergot derivatives (such as ergotamine, which is used to treat migraines)
• terfenadine or astemizole (medicines used to treat allergies)
• zidovudine, a medicine used to treat patients with AIDS

These medicines may be affected by Azithromycin or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.