What is Azithromycin and how to use it?

What is azithromycinand its uses?

Azithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, STDs, and infections of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, throat, and reproductive systems, among others. Azithromycin is also used to treat or prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection [a form of lung infection that is common in persons who have HIV].

Colds, flu, and other viral diseases will not respond to antibiotics like azithromycin. When antibiotics are used when they aren't needed, you run the risk of developing an illness that is resistant to antibiotic therapy later.

How should this medicine be used?

Azithromycin is available as a tablet, a prolonged (long-acting) suspension (liquid), and a mouth-to-mouth liquid. The pills and suspension are normally given once a day for 1–5 days, with or without meals. Azithromycin pills are normally administered once a week with or without meals for the prevention of disseminated MAC infection. To help you remember, take azithromycin at the same time every day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and if you have any questions, contact your doctor or pharmacist for clarification. Follow your doctor's instructions when taking azithromycin. Give the beverage a brisk shake before each use to ensure that the medicine is evenly distributed

To measure the right amount of medication, use a dosage spoon, oral syringe, or measuring cup. After taking the complete amount of medicine, rinse the measurement equipment with water.

If you get azithromycin powder for suspension (Zithromax) in a single-dose, 1-gram package, you must mix it with water beforehand before taking it. In a glass, combine the contents of the 1-gram package with 1/4 cup (60 mL) of water and drink immediately. To guarantee that you get the whole dose, add another 1/4 cup (60 mL) of water to the same glass, mix it well, and drink it all.

Precautions before using Azithromycin

• If you are allergic to azithromycin, inform your doctor and pharmacist.
• If you've ever suffered jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or other liver issues while taking azithromycin, notify your doctor.
• If you or anybody in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare cardiac condition that can cause abnormal heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death) or a rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat, notify your doctor.
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, notify your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking azithromycin, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you're taking or intend to take any other medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
• If you're using antacids that include aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and others), you'll need to wait a few hours between taking these antacids and taking azithromycin pills or liquid.

Side effects of Azithromycin

• Nausea
• stomach ache, diarrhoea, vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat or a rapid, pounding headache
• dizziness
• With or without a temperature, there is a fainting rash.
• blisters or peeling skin hives redness and swelling of the skin blisters or peeling skin fever and pus-filled, blister-like sores, redness and swelling of the skin
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs itching, wheezing, or trouble breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• During the feeding process, you may experience nausea or irritation (in infants less than 6 weeks old)
• severe diarrhoea (bloody or watery faeces) that may or may not be accompanied by a fever or stomach discomfort (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
• excessive weariness, yellowing of skin or eyes
• unexpected bruising or bleeding, exhaustion, and loss of appetite
• Flu-like symptoms include soreness in the upper right portion of the stomach.

Other uses for this medicine

Azithromycin is also used to treat H. pylori infection, travellers' diarrhoea, and other gastrointestinal infections; Legionnaires' disease (a type of lung infection); pertussis (whooping cough, a serious infection that can cause severe coughing); and babesiosis. It's also used to prevent heart infections in persons who are having dental or other operations done, as well as to keep STDs away from sexual assault victims. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

How to Store Azithromycin?

Keep this medication securely sealed in the package it came in and out of the hands of kids. At room temp, keep azithromycin pills, suspension, and extended-release suspension away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). After 10 days or when the azithromycin suspension is no longer needed, discard it. After dosage is complete or 12 hours after preparation, discard any unused extended-release azithromycin suspension.

Warning of using Azithromycin

• Warning about antibiotic-induced diarrhoea.

Antibiotics, especially azithromycin, can induce diarrhoea in almost everyone. The medicine can induce moderate diarrhoea to severe colon inflammation, which can lead to death. If you develop severe diarrhoea or diarrhoea that lasts after you stop taking this medication, contact your doctor.

• Warning for myasthenia gravis

Azithromycin can exacerbate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis, a muscle-weakness syndrome. Myasthenic syndrome, which is caused by azithromycin, is a related disease. Before using azithromycin, inform your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis.

• Warning about liver disorders.

This medication can cause liver issues in certain people. If you already have liver problems, it might make things worse. Your doctor may need to check your liver function while you're taking azithromycin. Blood tests may be performed to determine how effectively your liver is functioning. If your liver isn't functioning properly, your doctor may recommend that you stop using this medication.

• A warning has been issued about an abnormal cardiac rhythm.

Azithromycin can induce QT prolongation, which is an irregular heart rhythm in certain people. If you already have certain cardiac rhythm abnormalities or are taking other medicines that might cause QT prolongation, your chances of developing this disease rise. The danger is also higher in elderly people. QT prolongation is extremely dangerous and, in certain situations, deadly. Before using azithromycin, notify your doctor if you have any heart rhythm issues. Before starting this medicine, tell your doctor about all other drugs you're taking.

Conclusion

Do not stop taking azithromycin without first consulting your doctor. Discuss any queries you have regarding azithromycin or other antimicrobial medications with your doctor. If you suffer an abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting while taking azithromycin, get medical attention right away. 

Substitute of  Azithromycin 

Ivermectin 12mg $ 20	Ivermectin 6mg $ 5