Each antibiotic only works against infections caused by certain types of bacteria, so there are many classes and types of antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics are typically used to treat infections such as strep throat , syphilis , Lyme disease , and respiratory infections. The other macrolide antibiotics available in the United States are clarithromycin and erythromycin. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
A: One difference is that while both of these drugs work by killing bacteria, they do it in different ways. Azithromycin belongs to the class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, as described in this article.
Amoxicillin belongs to a class called beta-lactam antibiotics. This is a large class that includes drugs such as penicillin. Azithromycin and amoxicillin can be used to treat several of the same conditions.
These include bronchitis , sinusitis , strep throat, pneumonia, ear infections, skin infections, and lower respiratory infections. However, they have differences. Azithromycin can also be used to treat gonorrhea, mycobacterium avium complex, and pelvic inflammatory disease. And amoxicillin can also be used to treat urinary tract infections and H. The greatest difference to you may be how often you need to take them.
Azithromycin may be taken once per day for 1 to 5 days, depending on the condition being treated. On the other hand, amoxicillin is often taken two or three times per day for 10 to 14 days. Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Bronchitis and pneumonia are two illnesses that people often confuse because they have many overlapping symptoms. Learn more about the differences…. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the airways within the lungs. Find out about the symptoms of bronchitis, how it develops, and the treatment options….
A look at chronic sinusitis, long-term inflammation in the sinuses. In , there were approximately 4 million chlamydial infections among people ages 15—39 years. The two most common antibiotic treatments for chlamydial infections are azithromycin and doxycycline.
It works to cure chlamydia by stopping the bacteria from multiplying. Adults and adolescents who are experiencing symptoms associated with chlamydia can take azithromycin for treatment. A study found that a single dose of azithromycin was as safe and effective as a 7-day course of doxycycline in the treatment of genital chlamydial infections. A more recent study found that azithromycin had an efficacy rate of 97 percent.
Azithromycin is taken as a single dose, one time. It should be taken as soon as you receive the prescription. Azithromycin is taken one time orally and can be taken with or without food. It takes approximately 1 week for azithromycin to cure chlamydia. The CDC also recommends getting tested approximately 3 months after treatment of the initial infection. A study found that azithromycin could increase the risk for cardiovascular death due to arrhythmias, so the FDA released a warning about the risks.
As with many antibiotics, there may be side effects involved when taking azithromycin. It usually takes approximately 7 days for azithromycin to cure chlamydia.
However, it can take up to 2 weeks for the infection to go away completely. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Azithromycin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
Store azithromycin tablets, suspension, and extended-release suspension at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Do not refrigerate or freeze the extended-release suspension. Discard any azithromycin suspension that is left over after 10 days or no longer needed. Discard any unused extended-release azithromycin suspension after dosing is complete or 12 hours after preparation. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.
However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to azithromycin. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the azithromycin, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
It isn't suitable for some people. To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:. Azithromycin is usually taken once a day, unless you're having it by injection. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day. The usual dose is mg a day for 3 to 10 days depending on the infection being treated. For some infections, you'll be given a one-off higher dose of 1g or 2g.
The dose may be lower for children or if you have liver or kidney problems. Azithromycin is sometimes prescribed long term to prevent chest infections if you keep getting them. In this case, it's usually taken 3 times a week, often on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your infection could come back. If your doctor has prescribed azithromycin capsules, you should take them at least 1 hour before food or 2 hours after eating.
Azithromycin liquid is available for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets. If you or your child are taking azithromycin as a liquid, it'll usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a syringe or spoon to help you measure the right amount. If you don't have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount. The liquid can have a bitter aftertaste, so it can be a good idea to offer children a drink of fruit juice afterwards.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next one. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for other ways to remember your medicine. Taking an extra dose of azithromycin by accident is unlikely to harm you or your child. It may, however, increase the chance of temporary side effects, such as feeling or being sick or diarrhoea. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried, or if you or your child accidentally take more than 1 extra dose.
Like all medicines, azithromycin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of azithromycin happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away:.
In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to azithromycin. These aren't all the side effects of azithromycin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
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