Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic which fights all the bacterial infection in the body. This oral drug can be used for various types of infections such as skin infections, respiratory infection, ear infections, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. It works by slowing the growth of the bacteria and sometimes kills the bacteria simply by reducing the important protein that is required by the bacteria for survival.
However, you need to keep in mind that this medicine will not work for an infection that has been caused by a virus. Also, any unnecessary use if an antibiotic will decrease the effectiveness of it.
Ways to Use
You need to take the oral drug from Canadian Health&Care Mall by mouth. It is better to be taken without food. However, if you suffer from stomach upset then you can take the drug along with food. In order to prevent infection, it will be good if you take the drugs according to the instructions of the doctor. You need to continue taking this medicine until your doctor withdraws it. If you stop taking the medication before time on your own might cause the bacteria to grow and this will cause the infection to return. Inform the doctor if the condition worsens or still persists.
Antibiotics work better for you when you keep the concentration level of the medicine constant in the body. Thus, you should take this drug intermittently. Antacids that contain magnesium and aluminum can decrease its absorption if taken at the same period of time. When you have taken an antacid, you should wait for at least two hours prior to taking the oral drug for bacterial infection.
Side Effects
Like every other medicine, this too has its own side effects. Some of the common side effects of the drug are:
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- abdominal pain;
- vomiting.
These side effects subside when you get used to the medicine. If it doesn’t, you should consult the doctor.
Some of the less common but serious side effects of the drug are:
- fever;
- swelling;
- blistering;
- irritation and reddening of the skin;
- dry, cracked, and scaly skin;
- bloody urine;
- body aches;
- tarry and black stools;
- burning sensation while urinating;
- chills;
- chest pain;
- difficulty in breathing;
- congestion;
- coughs with mucus;
- painful urination;
- muscle and joint pain;
- loss of appetite;
- slow and irregular heart rate;
- general feeling of tiredness.
In case, you encounter any of these symptoms, you should immediately call for medical help. Prolonged and repeated use of the drug for bacterial infection might lead to new infection or thrush. When you notice patches in your mouth, you should make it a point to contact the doctor. In case, you suffer from some vaginal infection after the use of the drug then you should talk to your doctor about it. You might suffer from an allergic reaction when you stop taking the drug. Thus, in such a scenario, you should continue to watch other symptoms after you have taken the last dose.
Contraindications
You should not use this drug if:
- you have ever had liver problems and jaundice when taking it;
- you are allergic to some kind of drug like erythromycin, telithromycin, and clarithromycin.
In order to ensure that this drug is safe for you, you need to inform your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- a heart rhythm disorder;
- a history of Long OT;
- myasthenia gravis.
The drug for bacterial infection does not generally harm an unborn baby, but you should inform the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. The drug should not be given to children who are less than six months old. Older adults are at times more sensitive to the drug.
Safety Information
The drug might cause you to be drowsy or lead to blurred vision and light-headedness. These conditions worsen if you take alcohol and some particular medicine along with it. Do not perform any task that might require your attention. If you are about to have a surgery, you should tell your doctor that you take Zithromax. Keep a list of the products that you are using, even if it is herbal and then share it with the pharmacist or doctor prescribing you the medicine. Avoid taking live bacterial vaccines along with this medication.