Generic Rulide

Rulide is part of the family of medications known as macrolide antibiotics and is commonly used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Rulide is generically prescribed as roxithromycin and can cause life threatening heart complications in patients who also take pimozide, astemizole, cisapride, ergot medications, and terfenadine. Rulide is an ineffective treatment option for patients suffering from infections caused by a virus or bacterium.

Rulide should be prescribed only after a thorough medical history has been evaluated. Rulide may cause health complications in patients with conditions such as porphyria, liver disease, kidney disease, or in cases where the patient or the patient’s family has a history of Long QT syndrome. Patients with these factors in the medical history may not be able to take Rulide or might need special care or dosing while taking this medication.

Rulide is typically prescribed for a period of 7 to 14 days and patients should take the medication for as long as it has been prescribed to prevent the infection from returning even if they become asymptomatic. Patients should not however, take doses larger than has been prescribed as this can result in an overdose. Overdosing requires immediate medical intervention and may present with symptoms which include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and a general and prolonged feeling of illness.

Rulide is considered a reasonable risk to an unborn fetus and has been rated a pregnancy risk category C by the American Food and Drug Administration. A reasonable risk suggests that it has been proven that Rulide may cause harm or birth defects if used by pregnant women. It has yet to be determined to what extent Rulide passes into the mother’s breast milk and what harm it might cause a nursing baby. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid taking Rulide.

Rulide presents a risk of serious side effects and some patients who are just starting the use of Rulide might experience allergic reactions, both of which require urgent medical assessment. Hives, itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the lips, face, throat, mouth, and tongue are indicative of an allergic reaction. Watery or bloody diarrhea, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heart rate, dramatic changes in heart rhythm, difficulty hearing, nausea accompanied by low fever, lack of appetite, jaundice, dark urine, and clay colored stools, and fever accompanied by a severe peeling and blistering rash signify dangerous or serious side effects that require immediate emergency medical attention.

Rulide typically presents patients with less serious side effects that require no medical attention, although they should be discussed with the prescribing physician as part of follow up care. Patients might experience symptoms which include tooth discoloration, an odor or unpleasant taste in the mouth, mild stomach discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anxiety, confusion, headaches, dizziness, vaginal itching, vaginal discharge, and a skin rash.

Patients need to consult with the prescribing physician before taking any new medications, whether they are over the counter, herbal, or supplemental. Some medications may cause health effects or serious interactions with Rulide and should not be taken at the same time. Medications such as sedatives, seizure medications, HIV and AIDS treatments, cilostazol, bromocriptine, omeprazole, fluconazole, ranitidine bismuth citrate, rifabutin, sildenafil, theophylline, immunosuppressant medications, medications to regulate heart rhythm, and medications which lower the cholesterol are likely to cause interactions with Rulide.