Prescription:

Zithromax (Azithromycin) is an antibiotic used to treat various infections caused by bacteria, including bronchitis; pneumonia; COPD, sexually transmitted diseases (STD); and infections of the ears, lungs, skin, and throat. It is most commonly used to treat ear infections (e.g., otitis media), sinus infections, throat infections, lung infections (e.g., pneumonia) skin infections, and certain sexually transmitted infections (e.g., gonorrhea). It can also be used to prevent mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections in people with HIV infection.

The recommended adult dose of azithromycin for treatment of lung and skin infections is two 250 mg tablets taken on the first day followed by one 250 mg tablet taken at the same time each day for 4 more days. The usual dose for prevention of mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections in persons with HIV infection is 1200 mg taken once weekly.
The children's dose of azithromycin (liquid suspension) is based on body weight. When used to treat otitis media (middle ear infection) in children, a course of treatment shorter than 5 days may be used (1-day, 3-day, or 5-day course, depending on the dose used).
Doses of azithromycin for treatment of other conditions vary according to the condition being treated.
Azithromycin tablets and oral suspension may be taken with or without food. Taking the medication with food may help to avoid stomach upset.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Zithromax capsules and suspension contain the active ingredient Zithromax, which is a type of drug called a macrolide antibiotic. Zithromax is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Zithromax is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Zithromax works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Zithromax therefore stops the spread of infection and remaining bacteria are killed by the body's immune system or eventually die. Zithromax is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections. Zithromax may be used to treat infections of the upper or lower airways, skin or soft tissue, or ears. It is also be used to treat the sexually-transmitted infection chlamydia. To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to Zithromax your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin.

Treatments - Bacterial infections:

* of the lungs and airways * of the nasal passages, sinuses or throat * of the middle ear * of the skin or soft tissue * Chlamydia

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain * Headache * Loss of appetite * Dizziness * Thrush infections * Sleepiness * Weakness or loss of strength * Anxiety and agitation * Hyperactivity * Pins and needles * Hearing distubances * Awareness of your heartbeat * Abnormal heart beats * Pain in the joints * Decrease in the number of platelets or white blood cells in the blood * Allergic skin reactions * Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash * Seizures * Liver or kidney disorders