"Azithromycin" is able to exhibit antibacterial activity against a wide range of pathogens. Often used to treat infectious diseases that are provoked by strains sensitive to it.
Reviews on "Azithromycin" are available in large numbers.
Pharmacological forms
The manufacturer produces Azithromycin in several dosage forms - in the form of coated tablets, in the form of capsules, a suspension having a prolonged action, the powder used to make the suspension (used in the treatment of children), a solution intended for intravenous administration. The tablet and capsule medication can have two dosages - 250 mg and 500 mg. According to reviews, "Azithromycin" is trusted.
Description, composition
The main active component in the composition of the drug is azithromycin. It is capable of deleterious effects on intracellular and extracellular pathogens. Many microorganisms are sensitive to azithromycin (both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, most anaerobes, such as ureaplasma, mycoplasma, chlamydia, clostridia).
Reviews on the tablets "Azithromycin" consider below.
Microorganisms that are resistant to erythromycin are also resistant to azithromycin. Such resistance may be an innate feature, or may be acquired as a result of improperly conducted therapy. Some species of streptococci, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococus faecalis are completely resistant to azithromycin.
The medication is active against microbes that produce beta-lactamase. This is its advantage in comparison with preparations of a number of penicillins.
After use, azithromycin is fairly rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract, and is found in high concentration in tissues. This is achieved due to the stability of azithromycin to the acidic environment inside the stomach, as well as its ability to freely penetrate through lipid cell membranes. Reviews and analogues of "Azithromycin" are of interest to many.
The active component is able to act in the tissues of the respiratory tract, in the urogenital tract, soft tissues and skin integuments. Indications for use of the drug are determined by places of localization of the highest concentration. The highest concentration occurs 3 hours after using the medication.
The main advantage of the active substance is its ability to cumulate in lysosomes, which allows it to affect intracellular pathogens.
A rather important feature is that the concentration of azithromycin at the site of localization of inflammation significantly exceeds the level of its concentration in healthy tissues. That is, the more active the process of inflammation, the greater the effect of the active substance in its focus.
Compared with other antibiotic agents of a number of microlides, azithromycin has the strongest bactericidal effect. In addition, the drug is excreted as long as possible. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to use short courses during therapy and take the medicine once a day. The clinical effect of the use of "Azithromycin" according to reviews can be achieved in just three days.
Pharmacological group
"Azithromycin" is an antibiotic drug that belongs to the macrolide group. It has a wide range of effects against microbes. It is able to act both bactericidal and bacteriostatic. The latter effect is achieved due to its ability to inhibit the production of a particular protein in a bacterial cell.
Indications for use
In the treatment of adult patients, the drug is indicated for use if diseases caused by pathogens sensitive to azithromycin are diagnosed. Quite often, medication is recommended:
- With the complex treatment of stomach diseases provoked by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
- Borreliosis
- Infections of the urogenital tract, such as urethritis, cervicitis, colpitis.
- Infectious lesions of the soft tissues and skin.
- Infectious lesions of the upper respiratory system.
- Scarlet fever.
- Infectious diseases localized in ENT organs.
- Infections of the lower respiratory system.
"Azithromycin" is effective exclusively against bacteria. Standard respiratory infections, often developing in many people in the fall, are not an indication for azithromycin.
For children
When treating children, "Azithromycin" is indicated if the following diseases are noted:
- Infectious lesions localized on the skin.
- Pneumonia.
- Bronchitis.
- Sinusitis.
- Otitis.
- Scarlet fever.
- Tonsillitis.
- Pharyngitis.
The use of antibiotics should be warranted. Self-medication and giving the child "Azithromycin" without the recommendation of a specialist is strictly prohibited. When determining the dosage for a child, his age and body weight should be taken into account. In this regard, situations often arise when children of the same age are prescribed Azithromycin in different dosages.
Clinical experience with the use of "Azithromycin" for the treatment of pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding is insufficient. Therefore, if it is necessary to prescribe this particular drug, it is important to carefully assess the likely risk and potential benefits. If the doctor considers the use of "Azithromycin" appropriate, then it can be prescribed to a woman during pregnancy. If it becomes necessary to use this medication during lactation, it is important to stop breastfeeding.
Contraindications
"Azithromycin" is not prescribed to patients who have individual hypersensitivity to any of the components of the medication, as well as to the means of the microlide group.
The use of the drug is contraindicated for people suffering from impaired functioning of the liver or kidneys. Its use during lactation is not recommended.
Tableted "Azithromycin" should not be prescribed to patients under 12 years of age or having a body weight of less than 45 kg. Suspension "Azithromycin" is contraindicated in patients up to 6 months.
Using
"Azithromycin" when using oral forms should be taken separately from food, at least two hours before or after it. The main advantage of the drug in comparison with other antibiotics, doctors consider the possibility of a single dose per day.
Adult patients with the goal of treating an infectious process localized in any part of the respiratory system are prescribed a single use of azithromycin in an amount of 500 mg for three days. According to reviews, 3 tablets of Azithromycin help very well.
In order to treat infectious processes localized in the soft tissues and genital tract, it is recommended to use a higher dose, which is 1000 mg, on the first day. In the future, from the second day of treatment, it is reduced to 500. According to reviews, "Azithromycin" in this dosage is normally tolerated. Therapy lasts another 4 days.
In the treatment of ulcerative lesions of the stomach, provoked by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, it is recommended to carry out complex anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment. In this case, it is supposed to use "Azithromycin" for three days, once every day for 1000 mg.
In the treatment of skin infections, it is indicated to take the Azithromycin tablet (500 mg) once a day on the first day. According to reviews, the improvement comes the very next day.
From the second to the fifth day, take 250 mg once.
If you accidentally skip taking the medicine, you should take it as soon as possible. In the future, between the doses of "Azithromycin" it is important to observe the interval of one day.
In the treatment of children whose age is less than 12 years, the use of "Azithromycin" in the form of a suspension is indicated. It is prepared by mixing the powder contained in a bottle with plain water. Suspension should be prepared immediately before taking it, it should not be stored.
The dosage of the antibacterial agent for children should be calculated by the pediatrician, taking into account the body weight and age of the patient. If the child is 6-12 months old, he is shown to use 10 mg / kg during the first days of therapy, and then, for another 4 days, it is recommended to take the drug in half the dosage. Moreover, the frequency of administration of "Azithromycin" is standard - once a day.
Negative impact
According to reviews on "Azithromycin", negative effects on the background of the use of the drug develop in each individual patient individually. In most cases, the medication is well tolerated. Sometimes patients note:
- Pain in the liver.
- Diarrhea.
- Restless sleep.
- Drowsiness.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting
In addition to the use of tablets "Azithromycin 500", according to reviews, the body can respond with the development of allergic manifestations of a delayed type - they develop only a couple of weeks after drug therapy.
If there is no prophylaxis against the background of Azithromycin treatment, the development of candidiasis is not ruled out.
In rare cases, such negative reactions as a violation of taste, dizziness, vaginitis occur.
Most often, patients report side effects from the gastrointestinal tract, such as flatulence, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea.
The skin can respond to the use of the antibiotic by itching, a variety of rashes, and hives.
Laboratory studies show changes in liver enzymes, bilirubin, eosinophils, neutrophils, white blood cells. Such changes are reversible, disappear after a certain period of time after the termination of therapy with "Azithromycin" (500 mg).
Reviews about him are mostly positive.
Interaction with other medicines
Absorption of azithromycin is significantly impaired by antacids and H2-histamine receptor blockers. If you need to share these medicines, the interval between their intake should be up to two hours.
The combination of Azithromycin with Theophylline, Carbamazepine, oral anticoagulants, Digoxin is allowed. Take alcohol during therapy "Azithromycin" should not be.
The effect of Azithromycin is enhanced if Chloramphenicol and tetracyclines are used in parallel with it.
Reviews about "Azithromycin" (for children it is often prescribed) will be considered at the end of the article.
Analogs
Currently, a rather large number of antibiotics are presented that have a wide range of effects, which, in fact, can be used to replace "Azithromycin." The most popular analogs are: Ecomed, Tremak-Sanovel, Sumamoks, Sumametsin, Sumamed, Sumazid, Zitrolid Forte, Zitnob, Zi-factor, Vero-Azithromycin ”,“ Azicide ”,“ AzitRus ”,“ Azitroks ”,“ Azimitsin ”,“ Azivok ”.
If it is necessary to replace the drug with its analogue, it is important to consult with a specialist and coordinate its feasibility.
Reviews on "Azithromycin"
Most of the reviews of patients who used "Azithromycin" in the treatment of frontitis, tonsillitis, chlamydia, sinusitis are positive. Patients note the effectiveness of the drug, its affordable cost, the possibility of a single dose, short courses of treatment, the presence of special forms of children and the possibility of its use in the treatment of very young children as advantages of the drug.
Negative comments
Among the negative reviews about "Azithromycin" there is information about the emerging negative effects, including digestive disorders and candidiasis. However, patients report that, despite some adverse reactions, the drug as a whole was effective for them.
However, it is important to remember that any medication, especially antibacterial, should be used only as directed by a doctor.