The efficacy of antibiotics that include the group of macrolides to which Azithromycin belongs, revolves around two main factors, timing and dosage. If you are wondering right now, what the words, Azithromycin when to take mean, they are talking about timing and as this article will disclose, dosage follows very closely after it. Read on to find out more about the right time to be taking azithromycin.

Important Precautionary Measures Before Taking the Medication

Information concerning your personal health should be communicated to your doctor but more important the kind of medicines you’re taking before starting you azithromycin treatment should also be given to your doctor.

This is crucial because azithromycin does not interact well with other types of medicine such as:

• Antacids which you may be taking for indigestion
• ergotamine or dihydroergotamine for migraine
• warfarin for thinning blood or preventing blood clots
• medicines for soothing the immune system such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus
• colchicine for gout
• digoxin for fixing heart issues
• the antibiotic rifabutin
• the HIV drug nelfinavir
• simvastatin and atorvastatin for lowering cholesterol

Warnings Which May Stop You Taking Azithromycin

You should take think twice of the following situations before taking azithromycin because they may help prevent some serious things from happening. Discuss them closely with your doctor:

• How is your heart? Some people may develop a sub-normal rhythm of the heart called QT prolongation when they take azithromycin. If you already have a heart condition, or you are taking drugs that also cause QT prolongation, taking azithromycin may exacerbate your condition. This is a very serious condition and should be discussed in detail with your doctor before you can even think about taking azithromycin.
• Diarrhea prone? All antibiotics, even azithromycin, can cause diarrhea from a very mild diarrhea to very serious inflammation of the colon which may cause death. Normally the signs of oncoming severe diarrhea will take place after you stop taking azithromycin.
• Liver condition? Although azithromycinrarely causes liver problems, it can make your liver problem (if you have one) worse. The best thing to do is for your doctor to monitor the function of your liver while you are under treatment such as blood tests.
• Myasthenia gravis? Also known as the weakening of muscles used for moving about may become more serious when you start taking azithromycin. If you suffer from the disease, tell your doctor before you take the azithromycin medication.

The One Who Knows Best

The doctor knows his profession and what is best for your health and that’s why he prescribed medications for every patient who visits the hospital or private clinic. He knows for instance that azithromycin is an antibiotic with the brand name Zithromax, that’s used for treating a plethora of diseases such as pneumonia, sinusitis, STIs and many more.

He also knows that many children suffer from ear or chest infections as well as patients who suffer from recurring onslaughts of chest diseases and pains and he is absolutely convinced that one of the most efficacious panaceas for these diseases is azithromycin.

But you must keep within the rules of medication especially the timing and dosages because that’s really when the medication is most effective, so if you want to get better, you are obliged to follow what you are instructed to do by your doctor

Perfect Timing for Effective Treatment

Azithromycin is taken for medication as capsules, tablets and in liquid form for drinking. Only at a hospital is the drug also administered by injection but in whatever form or method, all are taken according to the time they are supposed to be taken.

Here are some important points to always bear in mind:

• Once a day in whatever form prescribed is the way to take azithromycin but always ensure that you take the medication at the same time every day.
• If the treatment prescribed by your doctor is in capsule form, you should take them an hour before eating a meal or 2 hours after it.
• If your doctor has prescribed treatment in tablets or liquid form, you are at liberty to take them with or without food.
• When you take your medication, it will go to work immediately and in most cases, you can feel their soothing effects in your body, the pressure dissipates, the heat is drenched and the pain disappears. Remember, you must continue to complete the full course of your medication.
• It’s important to know why you should do this. If you stop your medication in mid-course, the bacteria causing your ailment will proliferate once more and you’ll end up feel worse.
• More important, the disease will build a resistance against the medication and you may need more dosage which will increase the level of the drug in your body, which is not a good condition to be in.
• Know before taking the medication, what type of side-effects you can expect after you take the medicine. These can be nausea, loss of taste, headaches and diarrhea.

How and in What Form Should Patients Take Their Medication

As already discussed your Azithromycin medication may be taken in capsules, tablets, liquid form or injection and no doubt the prescription will also indicate when to take them. It’s very important that you stick to the prescribed form and take them at the same time each day as listed below:

• If your doctor prescribes your azithromycin medication in capsule form, an hour before a meal or alternatively as mentioned earlier, 2 hours following a meal.
• Tablets or liquid medications can be ingested with or without food; it doesn’t really impede the efficacy of the treatment.
• If tablets and capsules have been prescribed, you can take them whole (don’t break them), with a glass of water.
• The drug azithromycin can also be given in liquid form especially for treating young children and patients who have difficulty in is ingesting tablets.
• If azithromycin medication is to be given to a child in liquid form, the medicine will usually be prepared by a qualified pharmacist. A syringe or spoon may be used to help the pharmacist measure the right amount.
• The pharmacist usually has the right sized teaspoon for measuring correct amounts of medicine so ask him for a teaspoon. Avoid using a kitchen teaspoon as it doesn’t give the right amount.
• Azithromycin has a bitter aftertaste so it would be advisable to give children a drink of something sweet after giving the medication.

Conclusion

Taking azithromycin as medication at the right time is critically important if they treatment is to be effective and continue to be so without losing its potency. To use the phrase Azithromycin when to take indicates the right time for taking the antibiotic as medication for many diseases. This article suggests though that even before taking the medication, precautions and warnings need to be discussed and followed so that no serious problems result from using azithromycin.