Zithromax (Azithromycin)

What is Azithromycin (Zithromax Z-Pak)?

For the past 25 years, one of the most widely prescribed medications has been Zithromax, or azithromycin, because of its wide range of medical benefits for numerous infectious disorders resulting from bacteria within the body. Also known by other names such as Z-Pak or Z-Max, this medication is known to be used for everything from ear infections to venereal disease.

It was discovered in 1980, patented in 1981 and approved by the FDA in 1991. Since then, it is a common treatment for strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Recent studies even indicate that it is an effect use for prevention of asthma attacks. Part of its popularity lies in the fact that it has a very long-lasting life cycle within the body.

How is Zithromax Prescribed?

Since ailments resulting from bacteria within the body are so common and so wide-ranging, Z-Pak is a popular method of treatment for physicians because it has very mild side effects and reacts within the body very predictably. They will usually prescribe a larger double-dosage at the beginning of the process, followed by 4 to 5 days of single doses.

Zithromax has an incredibly high success rate for killing those unwanted germs and bacteria quickly and thoroughly. The patient may begin to see and feel instant results upon taking the medication, but it is always important to continue the treatment program for as long as the doctor has prescribe to ensure that all of the harmful bacteria within the body has been eradicated and will not again multiply within the body.

Before taking Z-Pak

It is always important to thoroughly discuss your medical history with your physician before ingesting any medication, but with Zithromax you should alert your doctor of any liver disease, kidney disease of heart anomalies. Also, there may be a high likelihood of a severe allergic reaction if the patient is known to be allergic to similar drugs such as erythromycin (Erythrocin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), or troleandomycin (Tao).

Studies seem to indicate that this medication is not harmful to patients when pregnant, but it is unclear if Z-Pak is transferred through the breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while on this treatment so that he can best determine the necessary precautions.

How to Take Z-Pak

Doctors will typically recommend that Zithromax be taken on an empty stomach as it could lead to nausea. Other minor symptoms might include mild dizziness or lightheadedness. The medicine can come in pill form or in a powdery packet that is poured into water, stirred and consumed. The concoction is sometimes difficult to mix thoroughly, so be careful to ingest the entire dosage, perhaps by added a bit more water afterward and swirling it around in your cup.