Many, if not all, drug medications are released only under prescription that’s been prepared by a doctor or other qualified physician. The main reason for providing medication under prescription procedures is to ensure that the medications will be the most effective, safest and most appropriate medication for the treatment of a particular condition or conditions. This article will explore the reasons why azithromycin is prescribed plus many more. Just read on and know more about drug medication azithromycin.

Pertinent facts about azithromycin

Azithromycin belongs to a special class of medications known as macrolide antibiotics whose main function is that of preventing the growth and spread of bacteria in the body.

Azithromycin is mainly used for the treatment of certain bacteria related infections that include sexually transmitted disease (STD); as well as infections of your ears, skin, throat, lungs, sinuses, and reproductive organs.

This antibiotic can also be used for treating a special type of lung infection that often impacts the lives of people who suffer from the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.

Despite its versatility in being able to treat many different types of conditions, azithromycin will not work effectively in treating flu, common colds or many other viral infections.

Antibiotics like azithromycin shouldn’t be used when they aren’t needed, otherwise, they will increase the risk of getting infections later on that may be resistant to antibiotic treatment.

All these pertinent medical features of azithromycin are always briefly incorporated in the prescription when the medication is released for use by patients.

That’s why it’s very important that before you actually use azithromycin (or any other prescription drug for that matter) you should carefully read the inscribed information leaflet.

Using azithromycin for treating conditions

Before discussing how to use azithromycin properly, let’s have a closer look at the different forms that the medication comes to you.

You can receive azithromycin in the form of a tablet, a long-acting, extended-release suspension liquid and a suspension liquid to take orally by mouth.

Both the tablet and suspension liquid usually sold under the brand name Zithromax can normally be taken with or without food once daily for a period of 1 to 5 days.

When used for preventing the spread of disseminated MAC infection, azithromycin in tablet form is normally taken once weekly with or without food.

On the other hand the long-acting, extended-release suspension liquid is usually consumed on an empty stomach. This action is taken at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal only once due to it’s prolonged efficacy.

It often happens that sometimes, people who take azithromycin (or other drug treatments) forget to take their doses. To minimize the chance of this happening you should take your dose at about the same time each day.

These are some of the reasons why azithromycin is given as a prescription medication, mainly so that those using it do so under proper directions and instructions.

The directions

For the safe, effective and appropriate use of azithromycin, it’s imperative for you to carefully read and strictly follow the directions that are given on the prescription label.

If you can’t understand anything inscribed on the information leaflet, you should not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist to help understand any part of the directions that you don’t understand.

It’s crucial that you take your azithromycin drug medication exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

You shouldn’t take more or less than the amount prescribed and you shouldn’t take it more often than the times prescribed for you by your doctor.

If you are using the suspension or liquid form of azithromycin, you should shake the container well every time before you take your treatment to allow the liquid medication to evenly mix for maximum effect.

You should use a dosing spoon, oral syringe, or a cup for measuring the correct amount of medication for each dose.

After you successfully take your dose, you should thoroughly rinse the measuring device with water so that it is clean before being used for the next dose.

Azithromycin powder suspension form (Zithromax)

If your azithromycin medication comes in a powder form for suspension (Zithromax), it usually arrives in a 1 gram packet for a single dose application.

Before taking the medication, you should first mix it with water by mixing the contents of the 1-gram packet with 60 mL (¼) cup of water in a glass and drink the entire mixed content straight away after the solution has been thoroughly mixed.

Using the same glass, add another 60 mL (¼) cup of water into it, mix, and drink the entire content to make sure you take the entire 1-gram dose.

Azithromycin powder extended release suspension form (Zmax)

If you receive azithromycin in a dry powder form for the extended-release suspension application (Zmax), you should first add water to the bottle before taking the treatment.

To open the bottle, press down on the cap and twist. Measure ¼ cup (60mL) of water and pour into the bottle. Securely close the bottle and shake well to mix the content.

You should use the azithromycin extended – release suspension inside of 12 hours after delivery of the treatment from the pharmacy or immediately after adding water to the powder.

Occurrences during and after taking azithromycin

After a few days of taking your azithromycin treatment, you should feel a lot better than previously. However, if your symptoms fail to improve or worsen, you should call your doctor.

If by any chance you should vomit after an hour of taking azithromycin, promptly call your doctor. Your doctor will tell whether or not you should take another dose. Refrain from taking another dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.

You should continue to take your azithromycin treatment course until you use up the prescription and don’t stop taking it even if you feel an improvement in your condition.

The only time you can stop your treatment is when you start to experience severe side effects. However, if you stop taking your azithromycin treatment too early or you miss you doses, the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics and may restart its invasion of your body.

Conclusion

In this article we’ve discussed in detail how the antibiotic Azithromycin is used in the treatment of conditions as a prescription medication. The reasons why this antibiotic is provided as a prescription only medication are obvious in connection with the different forms that it takes. The treatment comes in tablet, powder and suspension forms and for all of them especially the last two, detailed directions for their use is essential. We hope you see why azithromycin is a prescription medication.