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Home /How Can Zithromax Help In Reducing The Growth Of Bacteria?

Zithromax is the name of the drug containing azithromycin that belongs to the class of macrolides and can be used only as prescription antibiotics. This antibiotic may be prescribed to patients with a particular bacterial infection in the airways, ears, and other body regions. The usage of Zithromax is determined by the type of the infection and the sensitivity of the infecting bacteria to the drug.


Azithromycin cannot be used for the treatment of viral diseases like flu or common colds. Administration of antibiotics in case of the lack of necessity poses a threat of development of side effects as well as antibiotic resistance. Thus, Zithromax should be used after consultation with a medical specialist.

How Does Zithromax Work?

The bacteria need protein synthesis for multiplication. The drug binds with 50S bacterial ribosomes and inhibits its function. This usually leads to cessation of bacterial replication, thus, providing opportunities for controlling the infection for the immune system.

Zithromax does not stimulate white blood cells' functioning and does not treat all types of bacterial infection. There are naturally resistant microorganisms and there are those that may develop a resistance to azithromycin after inappropriate usage. A medical specialist may consider a particular organism, infection localization, the history of usage of the medicine and laboratory research for selection of the appropriate antibiotic.

What Is Zithromax Used for?


In accordance with the formulation and local recommendations concerning the administration of the medicine, azithromycin can be applied to the treatment of the following selected bacterial infections:

  • Certain community-acquired respiratory infections
  • Selected throat infections when other alternatives are inappropriate
  • Acute bacterial worsening of chronic respiratory disease
  • Selected ear infections in children
  • Selected uncomplicated skin infections
  • Certain infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Prevention and treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex in certain patients

This list means that azithromycin is not indicated for all cases of sinus pain, sore throat, cough, pneumonia, earaches, and sexually transmitted infections. Viral infections cause many respiratory symptoms and certain bacterial infections require another antibiotic.

Sexually transmitted infections need to be diagnosed and treated with the appropriate medication. A patient should not give his or her medicine to a partner and try to treat a partner with it.

How Should Zithromax Be Taken?


Zithromax should be taken according to the prescription of a healthcare provider and the recommendations of the manufacturer of the medicine that are provided on the package leaflet. The dose, dosage form, and the course duration depend on many factors, including the nature of infection, age, body weight, and the functioning of kidneys or liver.

General precautions include:

  • Taking the dose at approximately the same time as it is recommended
  • Measuring the dose of liquid formulations using the special syringe provided in the pack of the medicine
  • Not taking the dose in the larger or smaller amounts than it is prescribed
  • Not sharing your antibiotic with somebody else
  • Not storing left doses for later

The immediate release tablets of azithromycin may be taken regardless of the food intake. Taking with food may help to cope with nausea that occurs in some patients. The instructions may differ from the formulation, so a patient should follow the recommendation that are provided with the particular dosage form.

There is no general prohibition for the intake of dairy products, tomatoes, chocolate, citrus fruits, or other acid foods when using azithromycin. Incorrect statement in the previous version of the article about the need to separate milk products for three hours was deleted.

Azithromycin and Antacids


Antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium can influence the absorption of azithromycin if both are taken simultaneously. You need to consult your pharmacist about the time of separation of these drugs as it may depend on the formulation of azithromycin.

This warning does not mean that you cannot take all antacids during azithromycin therapy. It is necessary to check the active substances in the preparation.


What to Do if I Have Forgotten the Dose?

You need to take the missed dose when you remember it. If the time of the next dose approaches, you should skip it and take the regular dose of the antibiotic. You should not take two doses simultaneously to cover the missed one.

The statement in the previous version of the article saying that you need to skip every missed dose was too general and may lead to the improper usage.

Common Side Effects


Not all patients have side effects. The most frequent ones are the following:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dizziness, feeling tired

Persistent or severe side effects should be informed about a healthcare professional. Sometimes diarrhoea may signalize about more severe conditions of the large intestine that occur in connection with antibiotic usage. Particularly, this concerns the diarrhoea that is severe, watery, prolonged, or bloody.

Important Warnings

Heart rhythm disorders


It is known that azithromycin can influence the electrical activity of the heart and increase the risk of the QT prolongation and dangerous arrhythmia. The risk is increased in the patients who suffer from:

  • QT prolongation and certain arrhythmias
  • Slow heart rate
  • Low potassium or magnesium level
  • Heart failure and cardiac disease
  • Usage of other medications that affect the heart activity

A patient needs to get urgent help if he or she feels fainting, severe dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and unexpected shortness of breath. The FDA warns specialists about this risk when recommending Zithromax.

[FDA safety communication](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-azithromycin-zithromax-or-zmax-and-risk-potentially-fatal-heart?id=531)

Allergic reaction or skin rashes


If you feel swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; have difficulty breathing; blisters on your skin; or rapidly developing skin rash, you need to get urgent assistance. The history of previous serious reaction to azithromycin, erythromycin, and other macrolides must be informed before starting the treatment.

Liver problems


Azithromycin may lead to severe damage of the liver. If you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual dark urine, persistent tiredness, or abdominal pain in the upper right region, you need to inform a specialist.

Diarrhoea in connection with the antibiotic usage


Antibiotic may change normal bacterial flora in your gut and allow overgrowth of Clostridioides difficile. Severe and prolonged diarrhoea may develop during treatment and even after it. You need to receive medical help to cope with the problem instead of trying to treat severe diarrhea yourself.

Myasthenia gravis


Azithromycin may aggravate muscle weakness of people with myasthenia gravis. This condition should be informed about your prescriber if you suffer from it now or suffered in the past.

Medicine Interactions


It is necessary to inform your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications that you use. Particular attention should be paid to the following drugs:

  • Drugs that may prolong the QT interval
  • Medications for heart rhythm normalization
  • Digoxin
  • Colchicine
  • Warfarin and other anticoagulants
  • Ciclosporin
  • Nelfinavir
  • Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium

Interaction of two medications does not mean that they cannot be used simultaneously. Your specialist may change treatment, prescribe additional monitoring, or choose another drug. You should not stop using the essential medication that affects heart or seizures without consultation.

When Should I Receive Medical Help?

You need to contact a specialist if you have the following situations:

  • Worsening of the symptoms or lack of expected improvement
  • Severe and prolonged or bloody diarrhoea
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes
  • Changes in hearing or severe dizziness
  • New muscle weakness
  • Side effects that prevent you from eating, drinking, or finishing the treatment

You need to get urgent medical help in case of breathlessness, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and severe skin rash.

Proper Usage of the Antibiotic

Azithromycin should be prescribed to a patient with an infection that is confirmed to be caused by bacteria. Its unnecessary use does not add any benefit and increases risks of future infections.

You should not insist on receiving this antibiotic from your specialist or buy it just in case or for using of the leftovers. Your specialist may consider the other option, including testing, observation, or other antibiotics.


Is Zithromax Available Over the Counter?

Zithromax is a prescription drug and should not be advertised as an OTC medicine. Online supply of this medicine should comply with legal prescription, dispensing, and shipping laws.

A patient should purchase Zithromax only through a properly licensed pharmacy after getting a prescription. Avoid buying it from web sites that prescribe and send prescription antibiotics or claim guaranteed treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions


How quickly does Zithromax start working?

The action of the drug against susceptible bacteria starts after the beginning of its treatment, but the improvement of symptoms may take a few days. It depends on the nature of the infection and the condition of the patient. Lack of improvement does not mean that a patient should increase the dose of the medicine.

Can Zithromax treat colds and flu?

No, these viral infections cannot be treated with azithromycin. This antibiotic treats bacterial infections and should be used only if the specialist diagnoses other bacterial infection along with the cold or influenza.

Can Zithromax be taken with food?

The immediate release tablets of azithromycin can be taken both with and without food. Food may help to cope with possible stomach discomfort, but you need to take into consideration recommendations for your particular formulation.

Should I avoid dairy products?

Routine exclusion of dairy products like milk, cheese, or yoghurt from the diet is not necessary for the administration of the drug. You need to observe the particular recommendations of your prescriber or pharmacist.

Can I stop the treatment when my symptoms improve?

You need to follow the recommendations and course duration of your specialist and ask him or her before changing the scheme of the treatment.


Medical References