The more diversified our daily activities, the more exposed we may get to dangers around us. As much as it brings the perks, there are always threats lurking around. You can never be fully protected from bacterial infections. That’s where Zithromax may come into the picture. This is a versatile antibiotic which can be prescribed for treating a variety of conditions. Its active component is azithromycin.
Zithromax’s Background
The active substance of the drug was first synthesized in the early eighties of the last century. The developer was Pliva. In countries of Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus), azithromycin is sold under the trade name Sumamed.
Azithromycin is reported as a component of the drug under this brand name in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegowina, and Serbia. The well-known company Pfizer, which is also a developer of sildenafil and a manufacturer of branded Viagra, licensed azithromycin and brought it to the markets of Western Europe and the United States under the name Zithromax.
Indications and Contraindications
The action of the active antibiotic agent is aimed at combating various infections of a bacterial nature, including sexually transmitted diseases. The principle of the drug is to stop the growth of bacteria in the body by exerting a destructive effect on their structure. Under the influence of the drug, the immune system finds strength to recover and the body intensively destroys the remaining bacteria.
Zitromax is effective against the following bacteria: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Escherichia Coli, Enterococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, Chlamydia, etc.
An antibiotic is used to treat diseases whose bacterial pathogens are sensitive to azithromycin. The spectrum of these diseases includes:
- angina
- dermatitis
- bronchitis
- otitis
- urethritis
- tonsillitis
- sinusitis
- gonorrhea
- cervicitis
- pneumonia and others
However, this does not mean that every case of a sore throat or other aforementioned disease can be cured with this antibiotic, especially in the case of relapses, when bacteria in the body develop resistance to the drug that has already been used (Zitromax in this case).
When is it not recommended to take the antibiotic? Zitromax should not be used with hypersensitivity to the active component or auxiliary ingredients of the drug. It is also contraindicated for patients with renal and liver failure. Pregnant women can use azithromycin, but only in those cases where the potential benefit significantly outweighs the possible risks (always existing when prescribing medications to women carrying a baby).
Avoid this antibiotic if you are breastfeeding or suffering from arrhythmia (it can lead to an increase in the QT interval).
Read the article: Antibiotics and Their Hazards to Male Fertility.
Zithromax for Strep Throat
The antibiotic is not a typical first-line treatment of strep throat. However, if you have an allergy to amoxicillin or penicillin (traditional meds of choice), your healthcare expert may advise you Zithromax / Z-Pack.
Zithromax for Treatment of Pneumonia
Pneumonic diseases are often treated with Zithromax. It is an efficient pharmaceutical tool against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and some other bacteria.
According to a study by Slovenian scientist M. Socan (Journal of Chemotherapy, 1998), the medication is also effective for treating atypical pneumonia.
Zithromax and Bronchitis
Antibiotics, including this one, are generally not indicated for bronchitis treatment. However, if a patient seems to have an increased risk of developing pneumonia, the antibiotic will help without breaking a sweat.
Zithromax and Handling Ear Infections
Azithromycin acts effectually against middle ear infections (like acute otitis media), both in adults and children. According to studies, its efficiency is similar to amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) in this regard.
How to Take the Medicine Properly?
Tablets are taken orally, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, with water. The dosage and duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician, depending on the individual clinical features and patient’s condition.
On the market, there are also option for intravenous administration. As a rule, antibiotic shots are used in severe cases. There is a common belief that injections are more effective than tablets, however, effectiveness is not the key thing when choosing proper route of administration. Condition of a patient is a paramount factor. If one cannot take due to poor health condition, they are prescribed injectable version of the antibiotic. But once one is able to take pills, they can switch to oral route (if directed by a doctor).
Things to Consider
Antibiotics, although they have some specificity (targeting action), they can also have a destructive effect on beneficial bacteria (microflora) in the intestine and not only. Therefore, doctors often prescribe additional drugs that need to be used during antibiotic therapy or after its completion, depending on the recommendations.
Note also that antibiotics should not be used unnecessarily, without a due reason. In particular, antibiotic drugs are powerless against viruses, but they help to combat the complications caused by viral infectious diseases, for example, the aforementioned pneumonia.
