Each person at least once in his life, but had to take antibiotics, because there comes a moment when it is not possible to cure with folk remedies or simple antiviral drugs, complications begin. One of the most famous broad-spectrum antibiotics is Azithromycin (500 mg).
A little bit about the drug
"Azithromycin" (500 mg of active ingredient in each tablet) can be purchased at any pharmacy, however, you must get a prescription from your doctor.
As mentioned above, this is an antibiotic with a wide spectrum of action, due to its components it has a positive effect, namely, it kills gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria , which most often cause all ailments. The main active substance in it is azithromycin.
It is effective against staphylococcus, streptococcus, legionella, gardnerella, ureaplasma, treponema and many others. That is why antibiotics are prescribed for various diseases, when there is an exact belief that the pathogen belongs to the list of the above.
Release form
A very convenient form of release of the drug "Azithromycin-500". 3 tablets are contained in the package. This amount is enough for the full course of treatment, since it is considered a very powerful drug. It is recommended to be taken only after the appointment of the attending physician.
Pharmacokinetics
Separately, it must be said that "Azithromycin" (500 mg, 3 tablets) is very well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and that is why it is quickly distributed throughout the body. Because of this, such a positive effect is achieved, and the condition improves after three days.
If we talk about the withdrawal of the drug, then about 60 percent is excreted in the bile (unchanged) and about 40 percent in the urine.
ICD and antibiotic
Separately, it must be said about when it will be advisable to purchase exactly Azithromycin-500 (3 tablets). According to the International Classification of Diseases, an antibiotic can be used if the following diseases are present:
- otitis media of varying degrees, when the risk of developing complications increases, as a result of which a person may lose hearing;
- sinusitis, and it is the acute stage of the disease;
- acute laryngitis, when there is a likelihood of the disease becoming a chronic stage; and as you know, chronic laryngitis is dangerous for the transformation of cells into cancerous;
- pharyngitis and tonsillitis, which have developed due to the negative effects of streptococcus;
- pneumonia, especially when the pathogen is unknown;
- bronchitis, both in acute and in chronic stages;
- skin diseases when pustular formations appear on it;
- infections of the genitourinary system in both men and women.
Indications for use
Due to the fact that the action of the drug "Azithromycin" (500 mg) extends to almost all pathogens, it is prescribed by doctors to treat diseases such as:
- infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx, including tonsillitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis;
- infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ears, such as otitis media;
- respiratory infections that provoke diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia;
- damage to the soft tissues and skin of a person, for example dermatitis, erysipelas;
- diseases of the genitourinary system (urethritis);
- stomach diseases, in particular ulcers and gastritis, which are caused by the negative and destructive effects of bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori.
Application
Most often, the doctor prescribes “Azithromycin” for adults - 500 mg tablets (3 pieces per pack), because the effect comes much faster, and you only need to drink them for three days.
It should be remembered that you only need to take one tablet once a day and in no case should you drink everything at once, hoping that the effect will be instant. This will only aggravate the condition.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that the tablets "Azithromycin" (500 mg) are considered a universal drug for combating various infections and bacteria, not everyone can use them.
There are a number of restrictions when a person is strictly forbidden to be treated with this particular antibiotic:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, both auxiliary and basic;
- renal failure, because the drug must be stably excreted from the body, and 40 percent falls on the urine;
- liver failure;
- age up to 12 years.
Caution in use
In addition to the fact that the drug is strictly forbidden to take in the presence of the above diseases, it is not recommended for the following categories of people:
- pregnant women;
- children over 12 years old who have kidney problems;
- people with arrhythmia.
In these cases, it should be used with caution and only when the effect of the antibiotic is much higher than the possible side effects.
Side effects
"Azithromycin", 500 mg (3 tablets) can provoke a number of side effects, which include the following:
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract, namely nausea, upset stool, pain in the abdomen;
- allergies, namely skin itching and rashes;
- headache, less often dizziness and weakness;
- problems from the genitourinary system, namely vaginitis, nephritis.
Very rarely, patients taking Azithromycin (500 mg) may develop side effects such as a bleeding disorder and hyperglycemia.
Interaction with other drugs
Separately, we need to talk about the fact that "Azithromycin" does not always interact well with other drugs:
- enhances the effect of "Warfarin";
- when using "Digoxin" there is a risk of developing glycoside intoxication;
- when used with "Disopyramide" there are cases when ventricular fibrillation started;
- when using "Rifabutin" there is a risk of developing leukopenia.
Also, with the simultaneous use of Cyclosporin and Azithromycin, the risk of developing side effects, namely from Cyclosporin, is increased.
Use during pregnancy
Due to the fact that the immunity in pregnant women is significantly weakened, the likelihood of bacteria and microbes entering the body increases, which must be combated with antibiotics.
"Azithromycin" (500 mg) is allowed to be used by pregnant women and breast-feeding only if the benefit to the mother is greater than the possible harm to the child. Otherwise, it is necessary to choose a safer antimicrobial drug.
Overdose
Some people who take the drug without a doctor's prescription often do not follow the dosage. And therefore, they begin to develop all the relevant symptoms, which include severe nausea, sometimes even vomiting (it all depends on how a person perceives discomfort), hearing loss (both partial and complete), diarrhea.
When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to urgently wash the stomach and stop the symptoms, because otherwise the antibiotic will cause great harm to almost all organs.
Price
The cost of the drug is very affordable, depending on which pharmacy it is purchased in, it can vary from 100 to 200 rubles.
Analogs
To date, cheaper analogues of Azithromycin do not exist. We can only say that there is a more expensive drug, such as Sumamed, which has absolutely the same composition, but only the price is not 100 or 200 rubles, but about 600.
Turning to the pharmacy, many patients are faced with the fact that pharmacists are trying to sell exactly Sumamed, even if they ask for Azithromycin, justifying this with the best effect. In fact, these are two absolutely identical drugs produced in different countries.
Positive reviews
Among the positive aspects regarding the antibiotic "Azithromycin", according to consumers, we can distinguish:
- reasonable price;
- ease of use, since the number of capsules in the package is just designed for the full course of treatment;
- quick action: on the second day after the start of the intake, patients note an improvement in their condition.
Negative reviews
Not all patients agree that Azithromycin (500 mg) is a virtually universal drug, as in some cases it did not help.
But one thing should be noted: all doctors say that if a course of antibiotic treatment was started, they should be drunk to the end. And in the event that the course was interrupted, then the next time after the appointment of the same drug, there will be no effect, because the bacteria have already become resistant to it.
Before starting treatment with the drug, you need to consult your doctor so that he issues a prescription. Because today most pharmacies do not sell it without a prescription due to the fact that some patients are taking the drug for other purposes.