Azithromycin, 500 mg, film-coated tablets, 3 pcs.

Compound

The composition of 1 tablet includes: azithromycin dihydrate (at a concentration equal to 250 or 500 mg of azithromycin ), anhydrous lactose, croscarmellose sodium, anhydrous silicon dioxide in colloidal form, magnesium stearate, corn starch, polacrilin potassium, hypromelose, additives E171 and E172, macrogol 4000.
Capsule composition: 250 or 500 mg of active ingredient, lactose in the form of monohydrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate.

1 gram of powder contains 15, 30 or 75 mg of azithromycin dihydrate . Auxiliary components: xanthan gum, calcium stearate, silicon dioxide, sodium benzoate, anhydrous sodium carbonate, tartrazine, aspartame , ponceau, flavoring additives “Vanillin” and “Apricot”, refined sugar.

Description

Azithromycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic, a representative of the azalide subclass, which is slightly different in structure from macrolides. This is the development of the pharmaceutical company Pliva from Croatia.

Active ingredient: azithromycin (250 mg), white crystalline powder. Additionally, the composition includes lactose, povidone, magnesium stearate, aerosil, microcellulose.

For use in pediatrics, Azithromycin is available in two forms:

• capsules;
• film-coated tablets.

The package contains 6 tablets (capsules) in individual cells.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The semisynthetic antibiotic azithromycin is a synthetically produced derivative of erythromycin , which belongs to the group of macrolide and azalide (it is the first representative of the azalides ).

By binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, it inhibits protein biosynthesis and inhibits the growth of microbes and suppresses their vital activity. In high concentrations it exhibits a bactericidal effect.

The activity of the drug extends to:

• Gram(+) microorganisms (with the exception of erythromycin microflora) - St. aureus and epidermidis; Str. agalactiae, pneumoniae and pyogenes; streptococci belonging to groups C, F and G;
• Gram(-) microorganisms - pertussis bacillus and parapertussis bacillus , diplococci of the genus Neisseria, Haemophilus influenzae , campylobacteria , bacteria of the genus Legionella , bacteria of the monotypic genus Gardnerella and M. catarrhalis;
• anaerobic microflora (Peptostreptococcus spp., B. bivius, C. perfringens, Peptococcus);
• chlamydia (Chl. trachomatis and pneumoniae);
• mycoparasites of the genus Mycobacterium;
• mycoplasmas (Myc. pneumoniae);
• ureaplasma (Ur. urealyticum);
• spirochetes (causative agents of Lyme disease and spirochete pallidum).

Lipophilic, exhibits stability in acidic environments. After taking the tablet/capsule or suspension, it is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Bioavailability after taking 0.5 g of the drug is 37%, TCmax is 2-3 hours, the rate of binding to plasma proteins is inversely proportional to the concentration of the substance in the blood and varies from 7 to 50%. T1/2 - 68 hours.

The level of azithromycin in the blood plasma stabilizes after 5-7 days of treatment with the drug.

Easily passing through the blood-parenchymal barriers, the substance enters the tissues, where it is transported to the site of infection by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, phagocytes and macrophages and, in the presence of bacteria, is released at the site of the disease.

Penetrates through plasma membranes, which makes the drug effective against infections caused by intracellular pathogens.

The amount of the substance in tissues and cells is 10-15 times higher than the plasma concentration, the concentration in the pathological focus is 24-34% higher than the concentration in healthy tissues.

After the last administration of the drug, the level necessary to maintain the antibacterial effect is maintained for 5-7 days.

In the liver, azithromycin is demethylated and loses activity. Half of the dose taken is excreted with bile (in its pure form), about 6% of the substance is excreted by the kidneys.

Features of the drug

The drug "Azithromycin" is the newest antibiotic from the macrolide group. It stops the production, growth, reproduction and spread of harmful microorganisms. Has a bacteriological effect.

In its pharmacological properties, this medicine is close to drugs of the penicillin group.

It is more effective and efficient in the treatment of inflammatory processes. It has a more gentle and gentle effect on the child’s body. The drug provokes much fewer side effects, especially those associated with disruption of the digestive process, and also has much less toxicity.

The drug "Azithromycin" is absorbed quite quickly, is resistant to an acidic environment, quickly spreads throughout the body and is not destroyed by gastric juice. The medicine can penetrate the respiratory system, skin and soft tissues.

The principle of action of this antibiotic is that it does not allow the cells of microbial pathogens to synthesize proteins, and without this they simply cannot exist. Over the course of 1-3 days, a high concentration of the drug is formed in the area of ​​inflammation, which contributes to the rapid suppression of infectious agents. The elimination period of the drug is quite slow and takes approximately 5-6 days, which contributes to its long-term preservation in the area of ​​inflammation. Azithromycin is excreted in urine and bile.

When children use Azithromycin (250 mg), they need to undergo periodic examination to exclude the occurrence of serious side effects.

Indications for use of Azithromycin. What does the drug treat?

Indications for use of Azithromycin:

• infectious diseases of the respiratory and ENT organs ( tonsillitis , pharyngitis , sinusitis , laryngitis , acute chronic bronchitis , pneumonia , otitis media );
• bacterial infections of the urogenital tract that occur without complications ( cervicitis or urethritis );
• soft tissue infections and skin infections (infectious dermatitis , impetigo , beshikha );
• scarlet fever;
• borreliosis in the initial stage;
• diseases of the stomach and duodenum associated with Helicobacter pylori.

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a standard assessment tool in the fields of health care management, medicine, epidemiology, and general health analysis. According to ICD-10, Azithromycin antibiotics can be used for the following diseases and conditions:

• A46 Erysipelas (erysipelas),
• A69.2 Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne borreliosis, Lyme disease),
• H66 Purulent and unspecified otitis media,
• J01 Acute sinusitis,
• J02.0 Streptococcal pharyngitis,
• J03.0 Streptococcal tonsillitis,
• J04.0 Acute laryngitis,
• J18 Pneumonia without specifying the pathogen,
• J18.9 Pneumonia, unspecified,
• J20 Acute bronchitis,
• J32 Chronic sinusitis,
• J37.0 Chronic laryngitis,
• J40 Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic,
• J42 Chronic bronchitis, unspecified,
• K25 Stomach ulcer,
• K26 Duodenal ulcer,
• L01 Impetigo (superficial pustular skin disease, a type of pyoderma),
• L30.3 Infectious dermatitis,
• N34 Urethritis and urethral syndrome,
• N39.0 Urinary tract infection without established localization,
• N49 Inflammatory diseases of the male genital organs, not elsewhere classified,
• N72 Inflammatory diseases of the cervix,
• N73.9 Inflammatory diseases of the female pelvic organs, unspecified.

The term “specified” disease (condition) is used in cases where the doctor has a complete package of medical documents that allow the development of the disease (condition) to be assessed as objectively as possible. In a situation where this set of documents is missing, and the state of the internal organs cannot determine the course of the disease, a diagnosis of “ unspecified ” is made.

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Side effects

The most common side effects of Azithromycin: visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea , decreased concentration of blood bicarbonates, lymphocytopenia .

Less than 1% of patients reported: vaginal infections, oral candidiasis , leukopenia , ephosinophilia , vertigo , dizziness, hypoesthesia , syncope , drowsiness, convulsions (other macrolides also been found to provoke convulsions), headache, distortion/loss of taste and sensations of odors, impaired regularity of bowel movements (rare bowel movements), digestive disorders, anorexia , flatulence , gastritis , increased fatigue, increased AST and ALT, creatinine and bilirubin in the blood, urea , K concentration in the blood; vaginitis , arthralgia , skin rashes and itching.

Less than 0.1% of patients experienced: neutrophilia , thrombocytopenia , hemolytic anemia , mental and motor hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, aggressiveness, asthenia , lethargy , neurosis, sleep disturbances, insomnia, discoloration of the tongue, constipation, cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis (including altered FPP indicators), angioedema , interstitial nephritis , acute renal failure, exanthema , urticaria , photosensitivity, Lyell's syndrome , polymorphic and malignant exudative erythema , anaphylaxis , angioedema , candidiasis .

In rare cases, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmia or paroxysmal tachycardia of the “pirouette” type, and chest pain are also possible. It has been found that other macrolide antibiotics . hypotension and QT interval prolongation have also been reported

Side effects that occur with an unknown frequency: myasthenia gravis , agitation , fulminant hepatitis , liver failure , necrotizing hepatitis .

In rare cases, macrolides cause hearing loss. Some patients taking Azithromycin experienced hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and deafness.

Most of these cases were recorded during studies in which the drug was used for a long time in high doses. The reports indicate that the problems described are reversible.

Dosage, release form, manufacturers and packaging

Azithromycin is available in the form of tablets, including soluble tablets, or capsules of 125, 250 and 500 mg, as well as in powder form for the preparation of a suspension for children at the rate of 100 or 200 mg (forte) per 5 ml.

Tablets and capsules are usually placed in polymer blister and blister packs or glass jars of 2, 3, 6, 10 pieces, placed in cardboard packs.

Powder for suspensions is packaged in dark glass bottles with a line for proper addition of liquid and placed in cardboard boxes. The kit always includes either a measuring spoon or a measuring syringe for precise dosing.

For injections, a lyophilisate (powder) is produced in glass bottles, from which an infusion solution is prepared immediately before use, since Azithromycin, like most other antibiotics, is quickly inactivated in an aqueous solution. For the same reason, Azithromycin syrup is not produced.

Eye drops are produced by a single manufacturer – a French one – in the form of an oil solution, patented under the trade name “Azidrop”. The drops are packaged in plastic dropper tubes, 6 pieces in a cardboard box.

The drug is not used in the form of ointment or other external forms.

The table shows the main manufacturers of Azithromycin, indicating countries, trade names, forms and dosages.

The original Azithromycin is a drug produced in Israel and Croatia under the trade name “Sumamed”. All other drugs are generics, that is, reproduced drugs containing the same active substance in the same doses and in the same dosage forms.

Generics differ from each other in the composition of auxiliary ingredients and the quality of the substance (active ingredient). Sumamed uses raw materials produced in Croatia. Other manufacturers use substances from China, India, Spain and Russia.

The quality of the reproduced drugs is not inferior to the original, however, some doctors prefer Sumamed to all other azithromycins.

Instructions for use of Azithromycin (Method and dosage)

Azithromycin capsules and tablets, instructions for use

The antibiotic is taken 1 time per day, an hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. The missed dose is taken as quickly as possible, and the next dose of medication should be taken 24 hours later.

According to the instructions for use of Azithromycin, for children weighing more than 45 kg and adult patients, the optimal dosage for soft tissue diseases, respiratory diseases and skin diseases is 500 mg 1 time per day. The course lasts 3 days.

For Lipschutz migratory erythema , take 2 tablets of Azithromycin 500 mg on the first day, from days 2 to 5 inclusive - 500 mg/day.

For uncomplicated cervicitis/urethritis, take 1 g of the drug once.

Azithromycin capsules (Astrapharm, Zdorovye, BHFZ and other manufacturers) are taken according to a similar scheme.

Instructions for Azithromycin Forte

For diseases of soft tissues, respiratory organs and skin, the recommended dose per course is 1.5 g (it should be divided into 3 doses with intervals of 24 hours between them).

For the treatment of acne , the drug is taken at a dose of 0.5 g/day for 3 days, followed by 0.5 g/week for the next 9 weeks. (one time). The fourth tablet should be taken on the 8th day of treatment. Subsequent doses are taken at intervals of 7 days.

For uncomplicated cervicitis/urethritis, take 1 g once.

For Lyme disease, the patient is prescribed 1 g on the first day, from days 2 to 5 - 0.5 g. For the full course, the patient takes a total of 3 g of Azithromycin.

For children, the drug is dosed depending on weight. The standard dose is 10 mg/kg/day. The treatment regimen may be as follows:

• 3 doses of 10 mg/kg at intervals of 24 hours;
• 1 dose of 10 mg/kg and 4 doses of 5-10 mg/kg.

At the initial stages of the development of Lyme disease , the first dose of the drug for a child is 20 mg/kg; in the next 4 days, children's Azithromycin Forte is taken at 10 mg/kg.

For pneumonia, treatment begins with intravenous administration of the drug (at least 2 days, 0.5 g/day). Then they switch to taking capsules. The course lasts from 1 to 1.5 weeks. Therapeutic dose - 500 mg/day.

For pelvic diseases , infusion therapy is also indicated at the initial stage of treatment, then the patient should switch to taking 250 mg capsules (2 per day for a week).

The timing of the transition to tablets/capsules is determined depending on the dynamics of laboratory and clinical parameters.

To prepare the suspension, the powder (2 g) is dissolved in 60 ml of water.

To prepare an injection solution, 0.5 g of powder is diluted in 4.8 ml of water for injection.

If the patient is indicated for infusion therapy, 0.5 g of powder must be diluted to a concentration of 1 or 2 mg/ml (500 or 250 ml, respectively) with Ringer's solution, NaCl 0.9% or dextrose 5%. In the first case, the duration of the infusion is 3 hours, in the second - 1 hour.

Treatment regimen for ureaplasmosis

For ureaplasmosis, treatment should be carried out according to the principle of complexity.

A few days before starting Azithromycin, the patient is prescribed immunomodulators. The drug is injected into the muscle 1 r./day. with an interval of 1 day. Injections continue to be given throughout the course of treatment.

Simultaneously with the 2nd dose of the immunomodulator, a bactericidal antibiotic . When it is completed, switch to Azithromycin. During the first 5 days, the drug is taken daily 1.5 hours before breakfast, 1 g.

After this time, take a 5-day break and again, following the recommendations in the instructions for the drug, take 1 g. After another 5 days, Azithromycin is taken for the 3rd and last time. The dose is the same - 1 g.

For 15-16 days, while treatment with Azithromycin continues, the patient should also take 2-3 times a day. take stimulators of the synthesis of your own interferons , as well as antimycotics of the polyene series .

After a course of antibiotics, restorative therapy is indicated using drugs that normalize the function of the gastrointestinal tract and help restore its microflora. Maintenance treatment is continued for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment regimen for chlamydia. Capsules and tablets - why are they effective for chlamydia?

Azithromycin is the drug of choice for chlamydia of the lower genitourinary system, as it is well tolerated by patients, and, in addition, can be used to treat adolescents and during pregnancy .

For this form of infection, it is taken 1 time in a dose of 1 g.

If chlamydial infection , treatment is carried out in short courses, and long intervals are maintained between courses.

The course of treatment is designed for 3 doses. The dose for 1 dose is 1 g. The interval between doses is 7 days, that is, the medicine is taken on days 1, 7 and 14. This regimen has been approved by the Russian Ministry of Health for the treatment of persistent/complicated forms of chlamydia.

How to take Azithromycin for sore throat?

All antibiotics intended for the treatment of sore throat are taken in a ten-day course. Azithromycin is an exception to this rule - it is prescribed for 3-5 days.

Another advantage of the drug is that it is tolerated by patients much better than penicillin drugs ( macrolides are considered the least toxic antibiotics).

Adults and children whose weight exceeds 45 kg are prescribed to take 500 mg/day. If for some reason a dose is missed, the next dose is taken as soon as this circumstance is discovered, and the next dose is taken at 24-hour intervals.

Children aged six months to 12 years are advised to take the suspension. You should take an antibiotic once a day. Treatment lasts at least 3 days, the dose is selected individually.

Reviews of Azithromycin for angina are positive, since even with purulent angina, the patient’s condition improves significantly within 5-6 hours after the first tablet was taken.

Antibiotics for sinusitis. Azithromycin - what are these tablets for for sinusitis?

Azithromycin for sinusitis is used according to one of the following regimens:

• loading dose (500 mg) on ​​the first day, then 500 mg for 3 days;
• loading dose (500 mg) and another 4 days of 250 mg.

Children under 12 years of age are prescribed a suspension. The drug is dosed at the rate of 10 mg per 1 kg of child weight. The medicine is given to the patient 1 time per day. three-day course. In some cases, on the first day it is recommended to give the child 10 mg/kg Azithromycin, and in the next 4 days reduce the dose to 5 mg/kg. The highest dose per course is 30 mg/kg.

Azithromycin for sinusitis , accumulating at the site of the disease, suppresses Gram (+) bacteria, which are the main cause of its development, and effectively relieves inflammation in the sinuses.

Overdose

According to the instructions for use, "Azithromycin" for children, if used incorrectly, can cause an overdose, so parents must strictly monitor the dosage regimen. Among the main signs of overdose are the following:

• dyspeptic disorders;
• hearing impairment;
• loss of consciousness;
• nausea.

Overdose can occur for several reasons. These include incorrect calculation of dosage, lack of data regarding the patient’s weight, and self-medication.

The medicine should be kept out of the reach of children, and the drug should be taken only after prior consultation with a doctor.

Symptoms of an overdose of Azithromycin may differ slightly. When a large amount of the drug is consumed, pathogens quickly die and decay products, that is, toxic substances, are actively released. These substances penetrate the systemic bloodstream, as a result of which the normal functioning of organs and systems is disrupted, and the course of chronic pathologies is somewhat worsened.

Intoxication caused by an overdose of Azithromycin may result in symptoms such as:

• increased blood pressure;
• headache;
• muscle and joint pain;
• bowel dysfunction;
• increased sweating;
• increased heart rate;
• confusion.

If there is a change in the color of the skin, as well as loss of consciousness, this is a reason to call an ambulance. To quickly stop the signs of an overdose and stop the harmful effects of the drug, you need to rinse the stomach with plenty of water and induce vomiting before the ambulance arrives. In addition, it is recommended to give the child sorbents.

Interaction

Absorption of the drug is reduced in combination with Al3+ and Mg2+-containing antacids, food and ethanol .

The combination of macrolides + Warfarin can provoke an increase in the anticoagulant effect, so patients taking Azithromycin in combination with Warfarin - despite the fact that studies have not shown changes in prothrombin time when taken in usual doses - require careful monitoring of this indicator.

Unlike other macrolides, it does not interact with terfenadine , triazolam , Theophylline , Digoxin , Carbamazepine .

The simultaneous use of terfenadine with various antibiotics provokes prolongation of the QT interval and arrhythmia . Based on this, Azithromycin is used with caution in patients taking this drug.

Macrolides increase plasma concentration and toxicity, and also slow down the excretion of methylprednisolone , Cycloserine , Felodipine , indirect coagulants and drugs subject to microsomal oxidation, however, in the case of the use of Azithromycin (and other azalides), this type of interaction has not been recorded.

The effectiveness of the drug increases in combination with chloramphenicol and tetracycline and decreases in combination with lincosamides .

Azithromycin is pharmaceutically incompatible with Heparin

Pharmacological properties

By forming an active connection with the ribosomes of the cells of harmful bacteria, Azithromycin blocks the production of peptide translocase in them, which inhibits the development and growth of microbes.

Once in the gastrointestinal tract, the drug is quickly absorbed and then distributed throughout the tissues and fluids of the human body. Moreover, the accumulation in infected tissues significantly exceeds the amount of medicine in healthy cells.

The maximum therapeutic concentration is achieved within 150 - 180 minutes with a bioavailability of about 40%.

The half-life of Azithromycin occurs in two stages, after 14-20 and 41 hours. That is why there is no need to use an antibacterial substance more than once a day.

The complete period of drug exit from the body occurs within 7 days. This long-term maintenance of therapeutic concentration means that Azithromycin can often be taken in a short three-day course.

special instructions

The Vidal reference book states that since Azithromycin is metabolized in the liver and the substance is excreted primarily in bile, the drug should not be used to treat patients with severely impaired liver function.

Elderly patients do not need to adjust the dose. However, since the electrical conduction of the heart may be impaired in older people, prescribing the drug to them may increase the risk of heart rhythm disturbances and the development of torsades de pointes .

The use of intravenous Azithromycin, according to Wikipedia, is contraindicated in patients under 16 years of age.

Features of the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug

The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug are largely influenced by food intake, and the extent to which the changes are pronounced also depends on its dosage form.

Thus, food intake helps to reduce the Cmax of azithromycin in capsule form and increases this indicator for the tablet form. In the first case, there is a simultaneous decrease in AUC, in the second, this indicator remains unchanged.

In old age, in women, unlike men of the same age group, pharmacokinetic parameters change, namely, Cmax increases.

In children from 12 months to 5 years, there is a decrease in AUC, Cmax, T1/2.

Contraindications

In some cases, severe complications occur during drug therapy. There are strict and relative contraindications for use. The main limitation for use is considered to be an allergy to any component of the drug. The patient must also be non-sensitive to macrolides, ketolides and erythromycin.

Other contraindications:

• Age up to six months (for powder form).
• Age up to three years (for tablet form, 125 milligrams).
• Under twelve years of age with a body weight of less than forty-five kilograms (for capsules and tablets of 500 milligrams).
• Lack of sucrase and isomaltase in the body.
• Breast-feeding.
• Inability to digest glucose, fructose and galactose (powder form).

Additional instructions

Individual contraindications depend on the dosage form.

Azithromycin analogs

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Ecositrin

Azicine

Rovamycin

AzitRus

Safocid

Clarithromycin

Sumamed Forte

Klarbakt

Azitro Sandoz

Sumamed

ZI-Factor

Azitral

Azimed

Azicide

Spiramycin-Vero

Zitrolide

Ecomed

Macropen

Klacid SR

Klacid

• Azivok
• Azitral
• Azithromycin-Astrapharm
• AzitRus
• Azithromycin Forte
• Zitrolide
• Tremak-sanovel
• Hemomycin
• Sumamed
• Sumamox
• Sumaclid 1000

Azithromycin against coronavirus: effectiveness, WHO recommendations

Currently, there are no medications recommended by WHO for the treatment and prevention of the disease caused by the 2019-nCoV virus.

Important! According to the 6th version of the Temporary Guidelines of the Russian Ministry of Health dated April 28, 2021, Azithromycin in combination with Hydroxychloroquine was included in the approximate list of etiological drugs for the treatment of coronavirus!

The original Hydroxychloroquine is known by the trade name Plaquenil, used for malaria.

The use of medications from this list is possible only by decision of a medical commission.

Azithromycin for children

The use of tablets and capsules is possible if the child’s body weight exceeds 45 kg. The dosage of Azithromycin for children weighing 45 kg is determined depending on the indications.

Children weighing more than 45 kg are prescribed capsules or tablets at a dosage of 250 mg or 500 mg.

At a young age, the optimal dosage form for children is a suspension.

Bad reviews about the treatment of children with Azithromycin are very rare. A high concentration of the drug at the site of inflammation suppresses the activity of bacteria and prevents the infection from spreading further. The child's respiratory function improves, the temperature decreases, sore throat and weakness decrease.

An important feature of the medicine is that to achieve a therapeutic effect, 3-5 days of treatment are enough, since the drug continues to act for another week after completion of the course.

Price

Reviews of Azithromycin usually indicate the main advantage of the drug - its reasonable price. The average price of Azithromycin in Russia is as follows:

• Price Azithromycin tablets 500 mg. (3 tablets) - 97 rub.
• Price Azithromycin capsules 250 mg. (6 tablets) - 190 rub.
• Price Azithromycin powder for suspensions - 150 rubles.

Customer reviews directly indicate that, in addition to the price of Azithromycin, the drug has a fairly stable effect if used as directed.

Azithromycin during pregnancy

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drug is prescribed when the benefits of treatment for the mother outweigh the potential risks of using Azithromycin for the fetus/child.

Reviews of Azithromycin during pregnancy, compiled by Canadian researchers as part of the Motherisk Program, convincingly prove the safety of using the drug for the treatment of expectant mothers.

In all control groups (women in the 1st group took Azithromycin, in the 2nd group - other antibiotics, in the 3rd group - they were not treated with antimicrobial drugs), the incidence of severe malformations in the fetus did not differ significantly.

What to choose?

Since antibiotic tablets are practically no different from capsules, personal preference . Some people find that capsules are easier to swallow and tablets easier to split if necessary.

The main thing is not to self-medicate, but to seek advice from a specialist who will determine whether Azithromycin is suitable for combating microorganisms that cause the infection.

Medicine and healthComment

Reviews about Azithromycin

Reviews of Azithromycin for chlamydia , sore throat , sinusitis , frontal sinusitis and other diseases that are caused by microbes sensitive to the drug are overwhelmingly good.

The drug is a powerful tool for combating bacterial infection and is well tolerated by patients, and the side effects associated with its use appear infrequently and completely disappear after cessation of treatment.

Reviews from doctors about the drug are also positive. The main advantages of Azithromycin, according to doctors, are that it:

• has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects;
• characterized by high activity against probable pathogens of infectious respiratory diseases;
• creating high concentrations in tissues, exhibits bactericidal properties against H. pylori, H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, M. catarrhalis S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, B. pertussis, Campylobacter spp., C. diphtheriae;
• effective against atypical pathogens that reproduce inside cells (in particular, against mycoplasmas and chlamydia );
• can be used during pregnancy ;
• has a dosage form suitable for children.

Azithromycin has a post-antibiotic effect , which allows it to be used in short courses. In addition, under the influence of the drug, even microbes resistant to it become more sensitive to the effects of immune defense factors.

Unlike Erythromycin , which is the basis of macrolide antibiotics, Azithromycin does not decompose in the acidic environment of the stomach and has a lesser effect on gastrointestinal motility.

Indications

Azithromycin is prescribed for infections caused by antibiotic-sensitive microorganisms:

• Lyme disease (a disease transmitted by ticks);
• bronchitis;
• inflammation of the middle ear;
• skin infections, acne, furunculosis, impetigo, erysipelas, dermatoses;
• infectious diseases of soft tissues;
• pneumonia (pneumonia);
• sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses);
• tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
• stomach diseases due to infection with Helicobacter bacteria;
• cervicitis, urethritis (gonorrheal and non-gonorrheal).

Sensitivity to the active substance is shown:

• gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp;
• gram-negative bacteria: Borrelia burgdorferi, Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella pertussis, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Haemophilus ducreyi, Helicobacter pylori, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae;
• other microorganisms - Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Bacteroides fragilis, Treponema pallidum.

Most often the drug is used to treat the organs of the upper respiratory tract.

Do you know what to give your child for a dry cough?

If you want to find out what antibiotics are needed for otitis media, read this publication.

You can learn about the symptoms and treatment methods of tuberculosis in children from our next article.

How much does Azithromycin cost?

In Russian pharmacies, the cost of tablets (250 mg No. 6) is from 50 rubles, the price of Azithromycin in tablets of 500 mg (package No. 3) is about 200 rubles. The price of Azithromycin analogues is approximately the same.

The average price of Azithromycin in Ukraine (250 mg No. 6 tablets) is 30 UAH, 3 antibiotic tablets at a dosage of 500 mg can be bought for 50-70 UAH.

The price of Azithromycin in Belarus is from 15 to 200 thousand rubles (depending on the dosage of the active substance and the number of tablets/capsules in the package). The price of the suspension for children is from 15 to 110 thousand rubles.

• Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
• Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
• Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan

ZdravCity

• Azithromycin Forte-OBL tablets p.p.o.
  500 mg 3 pcs. JSC Obolenskoe farm. enterprise 242 rub. order
• Azithromycin tablets p.p.o 500 mg 3 pcsBiokhimik JSC

  RUB 445 order

• Azitrox por. for prig. susp. for oral administration, azithromycin, 200 mg/5 ml 15.9 Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC

  RUB 343 order

• Azithromycin tablets p.p.o. 500 mg 3 pcs. OzonOzon LLC

  RUB 268 order

• Azitrox (azithromycin) 500 mg caps. 3 pcs. Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC

  RUB 354 order

Pharmacy Dialogue

• Azithromycin-OBL (caps. 250 mg No. 6) Obolenskoe pharmaceutical company.

  RUB 165 order

• Azithromycin (tab.p.pl/vol. 500 mg No. 3) FS.-Leksredstva

  105 rub. order

• Azithromycin (caps. 250 mg No. 6)Medicine production

  85 rub. order

• Azithromycin (tab.p.pl/vol. 500 mg No. 3) Ozon LLC

  260 rub. order

• Azithromycin (tablet p/o 500 mg No. 3) Replekpharm/Berezovsky f.

  148 RUR order

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Pharmacy24

• Azithromycin 250 mg N6 capsules PAT NEC "Borshchagivsky chemical-pharmaceutical plant", Kiev, Ukraine
  42 UAH. order
• Azithromycin 500 mg No. 3 tablets Flamingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd., India

  34 UAH order

• Azithromycin 250 mg No. 6 capsules TOV Pharmaceutical company “Zdorovya”, Kharkiv, Ukraine

  47 UAH order

• Azithromycin Grindeks 500 mg No. 3 tablets Blupharma - Pharmaceutical Industry, S.A., Portugal

  103 UAH order

• Azithromycin 500 mg No. 3 capsules TOV Astrapharm, Ukraine

  34 UAH order

PaniPharmacy

• Azithromycin-KR por.gr.d/oral.susp.200mg/5ml 25.4g No. 1 Ukraine, Krasnaya Zvezda

  88 UAH order

• AZITHROMYCIN tablets Azithromycin Grindeks tablets 500 mg No. 3 Portugal, Bluepharma

  113 UAH order

• AZITHROMYCIN capsule Azithromycin capsules 500 mg No. 3 Ukraine, Health LLC

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Storage

The drug should be stored in a dark, low-humidity place, away from direct sunlight. You should not store the suspension in the refrigerator or freezer, even despite patient reviews. It is important to understand that the instructions indicate the optimal temperature conditions and must be followed. Azithromycin should be stored at temperatures from +15 to +25 degrees Celsius.

The shelf life of the drug is 2 years from the date of manufacture. Antibiotics are available only with a doctor's prescription. It is also worth keeping the drug out of the reach of children.

Sumamed and Azithromycin - what is the difference

Azithromycin is the active ingredient of many antibiotics. The drug was invented, developed, researched, patented and introduced to the pharmaceutical market in 1981 by the then Yugoslav company under the trade name “Sumamed”.

In Russia, Azithromycin first appeared in the form of Sumamed in the 90s of the last century. And at the beginning of the 21st century, the patent protection of Sumamed’s composition expired, and many generics began to appear under other trade names, including Azithromycin.

There are no fundamental differences between Sumamed and Azithromycin. If Azithromycin is prescribed in the prescription, the pharmacy worker is obliged to inform the patient about all types of the drug - from Sumamed to the cheapest. The choice is up to the buyer.

If you have a prescription for Azithromycin, the pharmacist has the right to dispense the medicine under any trade name - Sumamed, Azitrox, Zitrolide and others. The main thing is to maintain the dose.

Can it be given to animals?

Azithromycin is used in veterinary practice to treat cats, dogs, cows, calves, horses, foals and other domestic animals. The veterinarian prescribes it for infections transmitted by fleas and ticks caused by pathogens sensitive to the drug.

Important! The dosage is calculated for small children, based on body weight. Usually this is 5–10 mg per 1 kg of animal weight per day. The veterinarian will prescribe a more precise dose. Without its purpose, use is impossible.

Specialized preparations based on azithromycin are produced for animals, for example Azitronit, Azikan, Azitrobel, Avimecin. As a rule, these are solutions for injections.