Overview Of Azithromycin

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that is primarily used to treat serious bacterial infections. It is available as an oral tablet, though it can also be administered intravenously. Children and adults can use the medication. Pediatricians may prescribe it for children with otitis media or tonsillitis. The length of time that patients must take this antibiotic depends on the severity of their infection. Some patients take this medicine for three to five days. For others, ten days of treatment may be necessary.

Antibiotics for bacterial skin infections, including azithromycin, are quite common. This particular one is among the safe antibiotics for kids. Of course, individuals need to finish all of their oral antibiotics for a chance to get the best results. However, antibiotics can have side effects, and some patients deal with antibiotic resistance. Thus, knowing about antibiotics, including azithromycin, is crucial.

How It Works

Azithromycin, an antibiotic, belongs to a class known as macrolides. The first macrolide antibiotic, erythromycin, was isolated from Streptomyces erythraeus in the 1950s. This type of bacteria is found in soil. Azithromycin is a synthetic derivative of this antibiotic. Like others in this class, this medication kills bacteria by attaching to a specific subunit located on the bacteria's ribosomes. The subunit is known as the P site of the 505 unit. This attachment prevents the bacteria from forming proteins and spreading. Macrolide antibiotics have the most substantial impact on intracellular pathogens and gram-positive cocci.

Continue reading to learn about the uses and benefits of this antibiotic next.

Azithromycin Uses And Benefits

This antibiotic is frequently used to treat respiratory, sinus, throat, ear, and skin infections. For example, it may be prescribed to treat conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and tonsillitis. This medication is particularly valuable in the treatment of pneumonia for patients who are allergic to penicillin. Azithromycin is also beneficial in treating impetigo, folliculitis, and cellulitis. It may be considered for individuals with pelvic inflammatory disease. Doctors might prescribe azithromycin for 'off-label' uses. It is frequently used in this way for the treatment of acne or bacterial endocarditis. It may also be considered to treat cat-scratch disease.

Reveal the potential side effects of this medication next.

Potential Side Effects

Diarrhea and nausea are some of the most commonly reported side effects of azithromycin. Patients could also develop a fever or swelling, and their skin might become crusty or red. Skin blisters may form, and skin itching and redness have been reported. These side effects are considered minor and may go away on their own within a few weeks. However, patients should still mention these to their doctor if they are concerned.

Rarely, patients can notice muscle pain, loss of appetite, blood in the urine, congestion, or increased coughing. Earaches and headaches have occurred. Additionally, some individuals have indigestion, changes in heart rate, jaundice, or breathing difficulties. Other side effects include changes in taste, dry mouth, and discoloration of the tongue. White patches could form on the tongue or in the mouth or throat. Patients might feel like the room is spinning. Shaking, restlessness, and increases in body movements have been noted as well. Some individuals might have sudden changes in mood, and depersonalization could occur. Vision changes, hearing changes, and issues swallowing are serious side effects as well. Patients need to contact the prescribing physician immediately for these rare side effects.

Discover the precautions linked to this medication next.

Precautions To Remember

To ensure that it is safe for the patient to take this medication, the doctor will need to know about any history of jaundice, liver issues, or kidney disease. They will also ask about any history of heart issues, including a prolonged QT interval, an irregular heartbeat, or heart failure. Azithromycin may not be safe for patients with these conditions. This antibiotic can increase the patient's sensitivity to the sun. Thus when taking this medication, patients should avoid sun exposure as much as possible. It can be helpful to wear protective clothing, and the use of sunscreen is recommended.

Keep reading to reveal the medication interactions linked with this antibiotic next.

Potential Medication Interactions

Azithromycin is associated with over three hundred potential medication interactions. This includes more than sixty major drug interactions. This antibiotic can interact with anticoagulants, including warfarin. It also interacts with digoxin and clarithromycin. Patients must inform their doctor about all of the medications they use, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In particular, individuals who use antacids that contain calcium or magnesium will need to take these at least two hours before taking this antibiotic. It also appears to be safe to take antacids two hours after this medication. Patients should ask their pharmacist to check for potential medication interactions before dispensing this antibiotic.