Generic Zithromax

Zithromax, which is generically prescribed as azithromycin, is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in the body, such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, tooth infections, gonorrhea, and other bacterial infections. Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic.

Zithromax is not appropriate for everyone. A thorough medical history should be assessed prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with a medical history that includes previous allergies to macrolide antibiotics, heart rhythm disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, or Long QT syndrome may not be able to take Zithromax or may require careful monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with this medication, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated this medication as a pregnancy risk category B, which means that Zithromax is not expected to cause harm or birth defects in unborn babies. It is not yet known if this medication passes through the mother’s breast milk and affects a nursing baby. The prescribing physician should discuss whether the benefits outweigh the risks prior to prescribing this medication.

There is a risk of side effects associated with Zithromax, some of which are severe. A patient experiencing a serious side effect or an allergic reaction should seek immediate emergency medical attention. An allergic reaction will present with symptoms which include facial swelling, including swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, hives, and difficulty breathing. Other serious side effects which require emergency medical care include watery or bloody diarrhea, chest pain, uneven heart rate, nausea, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, or jaundice.

Other less serious side effects typically do not require emergency medical treatment but should be reported to the prescribing physician. Patients should be encouraged to report all side effects. Less serious side effects include symptoms such as mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea, mild itching, skin rash, vaginal itching or discharge, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue. Less serious side effects can often be reduced to a tolerable level by reducing the dosage of Zithromax.

Zithromax should be taken exactly as it has been prescribed. Of the patient misses a dose, the dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped to avoid the potential for an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, the patient should seek immediate emergency medical attention. An overdose will present with symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

There is a risk of negative drug interactions associated with Zithromax. A thorough medical history should be understood prior to prescribing this medication. Patients should be urged to inquire with the prescribing physician before taking any new medications, including over the counter medications and herbal remedies. Medications that are known to cause interactions with Zithromax include digoxin, nelfinavir, ergot medication, triazolam, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, phenytoin, medication used to lower cholesterol, calcium channel blockers, HIV medication, blood thinners, alprazolam, theophylline, pimozide, and additional antibiotics.

This medication is useless for treating the common cold or the flu. This medication should be taken as prescribed for the duration it has been prescribed. Patients who stop taking this medication because their symptoms have subsided run the risk of re-infection that has the potential to be more severe and more difficult to treat.