Azithromycin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Uses

What is the drug azithromycin?

Azithromycin is an antibiotic for treating various bacterial infections. This drug is often used to treat infections in the lungs, nose and throat, joints and bones, skin, blood, genitals, and infections of other internal organs. In some cases, this drug can also be used to prevent endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) in people who are at high risk of developing the infection because of the side effects of certain dental procedures.

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic drug. This drug works by stopping growth and preventing the spread of bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body.

This antibiotic will not affect viral infections such as fever and influenza. Taking antibiotics that are not needed risks the risk of your body becoming more susceptible to infections, which will result in resistance to antibiotic treatment in the future. Use this medication according to your doctor's instructions.

How do you use azithromycin?

Use azithromycin according to a doctor's prescription. Follow all usage instructions listed on the packaging or prescription label. Do not use this medication for too much, little, or longer than recommended.

If your doctor has prescribed this medicine in capsule form, take it at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. If your doctor has prescribed this drug in tablet or liquid form, you can take it with or without food.

Use this medication until the time prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication according to the instructions given even if you feel better or symptoms have disappeared.

How is the drug azithromycin stored?

Azithromycin is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep this drug away from direct sunlight and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.

Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of azithromycin for adults?

• To treat bacterial infections (except genital infections) in adults, the dose of azithromycin is 500 mg once a day on the first day. On the second day up to five doses are reduced to 250 mg once a day. This dose can be given by injection or orally (taken by mouth).
• To treat chlamydia, the dose of azithromycin is 1 gram once a day.
• To treat gonorrhea, the dose of azithromycin is 2 grams once a day.

In general, the dosage of azithromycin varies from person to person depending on the age, severity of the disease, the body's response to the drug, and the patient's overall condition. There may be several doses of azithromycin not listed above. If you are in doubt, consult a doctor for more information.

What is the dosage of azithromycin for children?

For children 6 months to 17 years of age, the dose of azithromycin is 10 to 500 mg / kg once a day. The dosage is adjusted to body weight, age, disease severity, and the overall condition of the child. Please consult a doctor for more information.

In what dosage and preparation is this drug available?

Tablet, oral: 250 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg.

Side effects

What are the side effects of the drug azithromycin?

Some of the most common side effects of the drug azithromycin are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Not feeling well
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Bitter mouth
• Dizzy
• Limp, lethargic, lack of energy

Stop using the drug and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), temporary hearing loss
• Vertigo
• Urinating infrequently or completely
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (on the nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under the skin, or
• Severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the face or tongue, burning eyes, sore skin, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads (especially to the face or upper body) and blisters and peeling skin

The side effects of this drug may vary from patient to patient. So, not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about possible side effects, consult your doctor.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using this drug?

Before taking azithromycin medication, it is important that you consider all the benefits and risks of this drug. The reason is, this drug should not be used carelessly. Some things that must be known before using azithromycin include:

• Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including herbs, vitamins, and supplements.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or unusual symptoms from using this medicine or any other medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver and kidney disease, heart disease, myasthenia gravis, and diabetes.

There may be other things not mentioned above. If you have other questions, please consult a doctor for more information. The doctor may provide more complete information, including the dosage, safety, and interactions of this drug. Listen carefully to all the information explained by the doctor so that the treatment you are doing runs optimally.

Is azithromycin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) United States, which is equivalent to the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether this drug can pass along with breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Interaction

What drugs may interact with the drug azithromycin?

Using this medicine together with other medicines is usually not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with the medicines below or change some of the other drugs that you are taking.

The following are some drugs that may interact with the antibiotic azithromycin:

• Antacids
• Ergotamine
• Dihydroergotamine
• Warfarin
• Ciclosporin
• Tacrolimus
• Digoxin
• Colchicine
• Rifabutin
• Nelfinavir
• Amiodarone
• Sotalol

This medicine can affect your heart rate, so you should not take it with other medicines that have the same side effects. Some medications that can cause heart rate problems as a side effect include:

• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Moxifloxacin

There may be some medicines not listed above. If you are in doubt about the interaction of this drug with other drugs that you are currently taking, consult your doctor for more information. Your doctor may prescribe other medications that are appropriate for your condition.

Can food or alcohol interact with the drug azithromycin?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with the doctor who treats you.

What health conditions can interact with the drug azithromycin?

There are several other medical problems that may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, in particular:

• History of stomach or intestinal disease.
• Porphyria blood disorders
• Impaired kidney function
• Atopic syndrome
• Liver disfunction
• Meningitis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease, including arrhythmias

There may be several health conditions not listed above. If you are in doubt about your health condition, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe other medications that are appropriate for your condition.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose on a single medication schedule.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.