What is Zithromax?

Zithromax: uses Zithromax is an antibiotic ( macrolide-type ) used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It works by stopping growth of bacteria.

This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It'll not work for viral infections ( e. g. , common cold, flu ) . Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

Zithromax: how to use Take Zithromax by mouth with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor. We may take Zithromax with food if stomach upset occurs.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Zithromax at same time each day.

Continue to take Zithromax until full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.

Antacids may decrease absorption of Zithromax. If you take an antacid, wait at least 2 hours after taking this medication.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Zithromax: side effects Stomach upset, diarrhea/loose stools, nausea, vomiting, or stomach/abdominal pain may occur while use Zithromax. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Zithromax because he or she has judged that the benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Zithromax don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

Zithromax may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition ( pseudomembranous colitis ) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur while use Zithromax weeks after treatment has stopped. Don't use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if we have following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.

Use of Zithromax for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection ( oral or vaginal fungal infection ) . Contact your doctor if we notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms.

A serious allergic reaction to Zithromax is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

An allergic reaction to Zithromax may return even if we stop drug. If we have an allergic reaction, continue to watch for any of above symptoms for several days after your last dose.

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Zithromax: precautions Before taking Zithromax, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to it; or to other macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using Zithromax, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Zithromax should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.

Zithromax passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Zithromax: interactions See also How to Use section.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using Zithromax, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

Zithromax may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. We may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Other drugs besides Zithromax which may affect the heart rhythm ( QTc prolongation in EKG ) include amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, propafenone, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and for instructions on how we may reduce your risk of this effect.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Zithromax, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Zithromax with EU delivery

History of Quinolone Antibiotics

The fluoroquinolone family is a relatively new group of antibiotics. They were first introduced in 1986, but they're really modified quinolones. The parent of group is nalidixic acid. The majority of quinolones belong to a subgroup called fluoroquinolones, which have a fluoro group attached the central ring system. Both terms are used to describe antibiotics in this class.

The fluoroquinolones have become an increasingly popular class of antibiotics for use in a variety of infections. These drugs are only class of antimicrobial agents in clinical use that are direct inhibitors of bacterial DNA synthesis. Fluoroquinolones inhibit two bacterial enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which have essential and distinct roles in DNA replication.

The fluoroquinolones are classified into generations based on their antibacterial spectrum, with earlier generation quinolones more effective against Gram-negative bacteria and spectrum of activity expanding to include more Gram-positive bacteria with later generations.

The first-generation agents ( 'quinolones' ) had poor distribution into the body tissues and limited activity. They were used mainly for treatment of urinary tract infections. The early quinolones include: cinoxacin, nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid.

Second-generation fluoroquinolones have significantly increased antibacterial activity. These antibacterial agents have increased gram-negative activity, as well as some gram-positive and atypical pathogen activity. Compared with earlier quinolones, these drugs have broader clinical use in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis, sexually transmitted diseases, pneumonias and skin infections.

Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are most widely used second-generation fluoroquinolones because of their availability in oral and intravenous formulations and their broad set of FDA-approved indications.

The third-generation fluoroquinolones ( levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin ) have expanded activity against gram-positive bacteria and atypical pathogens, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Third-generation antibiotics are widely used in treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, acute sinusitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones ( e. g. garenoxacin, gemifloxacin, trovafloxacin ) add significant antimicrobial activity against anaerobes while maintaining gram-positive and gram-negative activity of third-generation antibiotics.

The quinolones have evolved from drugs used solely for treatment of urinary tract infections to molecules with potent activity against a wide spectrum of bacterial pathogens and clinical utility in many indications throughout body tissues and fluids. Progressive modifications in molecular configuration have resulted in improved breadth and potency of activity and pharmacokinetics, which have identified those agents fit to survive in today's therapeutic environment.

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