Generic Zithromax

How does Zithromax work?

Zithromax azithromycin stops the growth of bacteria but not the proliferation of cold, flu, or viral infection.

How should I take the product?

Azithromycin Zithromax may be taken orally in either solid or liquid form, as a tablet or oral suspension respectively. Taken together with food or not, this medication is usually prescribed at once-a-day doses for at least one to five days. The daily doses should be taken at the same time daily to ensure regularity of intake and best results in efficacy. Your doctor will advice you to heed the prescription instructions on dosages and schedules which you must follow and adhere to strictly. Deliberately increasing or decreasing your doses or frequencies may pose unnecessary hazards for you.
The tablets may be taken with food or on an empty stomach. The solution or suspension must be taken on an empty stomach. The suspension must be shaken fully well before use. A regular, consistent measuring device must be used. Doses must be regularly taken to finish the prescription. Even if you may feel an improvement in your condition at the onset of taking the medication, you must continue on with the prescription. Do not stop the use as the bacteria causing the infection may only be acclimatizing to the medication and there is a possibility of the condition recurring if you stop your medication prematurely.
If you happen to miss a dose, there is no need to worry as you can simply continue on with the next scheduled dose and skip the prior missed one. Do not, however, double an upcoming dose simply to compensate for a missed one. If in case you overdose, treat it as an emergency and get immediate medical attention. Note the following symptoms of a possible azithromycin overdose: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach discomforts.

Precautions

Certain precautions need to be taken and ensured prior to the use of azithromycin. First of all, you must inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to azithromycin before, or even to clarithromycin like Biaxin, dirithromycin like Dynabac, erythromycin like Erythrocin, or to any other medication for that matter. Your doctor will have the best backgrounder if you tell him all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you have recently or are presently taking, including but not limited to vitamins, minerals, nutrient supplements, and even herbal products. Antacids may react differently, even adversely, to azithromycin; consult your doctor on the proper intake time interval of the two medications. Your doctor must be informed also of any historical or present condition of cystic fibrosis, HIV or AIDS, heart conditions, kidney disease, and liver disease. If you are pregnant or are planning to become one soon, or if you've given birth and are now breast-feeding, tell your doctor of these conditions.
Diet-wise, there are no restrictions on the kind of food or beverage you take while on azithromycin medication; you may thus continue on your regular diet unless your doctor advises you differently.

Side effects

The following side effects resulting from the use of azithromycin must be noted as your doctor must be informed of their persistence or disturbing, bothersome effect on your condition: upset stomach or stomach ache, diarrhea or conversely constipation, nausea and vomiting, and skin rashes. If the side effects are more serious, including but not limited to severe rashes or hives, severe itchiness, breathing difficulty, swallowing difficulty, facial swelling, swelling of extremities, vocal hoarseness, skin or eye discoloration or yellowing, and irregular heartbeats, seek immediate medical attention.

What should I avoid while taking Zithromax?

Zithromax azithromycin must not be taken in close succession to or progression from antacids with aluminum or magnesium (these antacids include Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid, etc.) as the effect of these antacids is to decrease the efficacy of azithromycin.
Azithromycin may induce an increased sensitivity to sunlight so you should avoid unnecessary prolonged sunlight exposure.

Drug interactions

Azithromax reacts and interacts variedly to different drugs and substances. Note the following medications or substances and inform your doctor of your present or more recent use of them: anti-coagulants or blood thinners like Coumadin warfarin, Neoral cyclosporine, Lanoxin digoxin, Migranal dihydroergotamine, Ergomar ergotamine, immune system medications, Viracept nelfinavir, Dilantin phenytoin, and Seldane terfenadine. While azithromycin may be acquired with a prescription for branded Zithromax, generic formulations are available, too, but you should take the same cautionary measures before opting for generic ones.