What Dosage Treats Chlamydia
For people with uncomplicated genital chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a single dose of azithromycin taken orally to cure the infection.
Azithromycin comes in three forms:
- Tablet
- Regular-release powder
For both powder formulas, either you or a pharmacist mix it with liquid to take.
Always follow the directions from your doctor or pharmacist for taking azithromycin.
Azithromycin is taken as a single dose, one time.
It should be taken as soon as you receive the prescription. Azithromycin can be taken with or without food, however, the extended-release form is typically taken on an empty stomach.
If you take the liquid form, shake it well before using and use a dosing spoon to measure an accurate dose. If you are prescribed the powder, mix it with water according to directions.
What Is The Prescribed Dosage
Clinical studies have shown that a three-day course of azithromycin is as effective as a 10 day course of penicillin-based drugs . The recommended dosage of azithromycin in the management of sinus infections is 500 mg per day for three days.
One study has shown that taking 2 g of azithromycin may be more effective than a longer course of amoxicillin.
However, clinical studies have also shown that azithromycin may not be the best choice of medicine in managing sinus infections as the improvement in symptoms is not because of the effect it has on the bacteria but is actually due to the inflammation fighting properties that it possesses.
Furthermore, azithromycin is not very effective against organisms such as Streptococcus pneumonia and Hemophilus influenza .
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Dizziness or passing out.
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Do I Need To Have A Test To Check That The Chlamydia Has Gone
If you take the treatment according to the instructions, you wont usually need a test to check the chlamydia has gone.
If youre aged under 25, you should be offered a repeat test 3 months after finishing the treatment. This is because youre at a higher risk of getting chlamydia again.
Whatever your age, you may need a repeat test or more treatment if:
- you think youve come into contact with chlamydia again
- you had sex without a condom with a partner before the treatment for both of you was finished
- you didnt complete the treatment or didnt take it according to the instructions
- the signs and symptoms dont go away
- your test was negative but you develop signs or symptoms of chlamydia
- youre pregnant.
A repeat test can be done 56 weeks after the first test.
If the chlamydia was in your rectum , you may need another test around 3 weeks after finishing the treatment. Your doctor, nurse or clinic will let you know if you need another test.
You can go back to the doctor, nurse or clinic if you have any questions or need advice on how to protect yourself from infection in the future.
Duration Of Azithromycin In Your Body To Stay:
As per the studied done, Azithromycin medicine usually stays around 15 to 16 days in your days after the consumption of last dose.
There is a 68 hour elimination half-life of this tablet. The prolonged terminal elimination half-life is associated with high drug uptake and subsequent elimination from the tissue.
Approximately 5.5 times the elimination half-life is required to remove the drug from the system. Therefore, it will take about 15.5 days for 374 hours to be removed from the system.
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What Does The Research Say
A large 2012 cohort study found a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular death among people taking azithromycin. The risk was higher among those with other risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, low physical activity levels, and a high body mass index .
The study reported that when compared with amoxicillin, there were 47 additional cardiovascular deaths per 1 million azithromycin prescriptions. Among people with the highest risk of heart disease, there were 245 more deaths per 1 million courses of azithromycin.
This suggests that other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, may be a safer option for people with heart disease or certain types of heart arrythmias.
In 2018 , the FDA issued a warning about the long term use of azithromycin in people with certain blood or lymph node cancers who have stem cell transplants. Emerging research has suggested that azithromycin may increase the risk of cancer relapse in these people.
Following a stem cell transplant, some people take azithromycin to reduce the risk of an inflammatory lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. The FDA have not approved azithromycin for this use, however.
Rarely, azithromycin can cause liver toxicity. People should stop taking the drug and call their doctor if they develop any symptoms of liver problems, including dark urine, itching, or yellow eyes.
Azithromycin For Sinus Infection
People who are suffered from sinus most probably ask the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic. Acute sinus infections mostly last for about three-four weeks. Azithromycin is the most common antibiotic prescribed to treat sinus infections. There is evidence that Azithromycin works at its best level and quickly cure sinus infections. But it is not necessary that antibiotics can help sinus patients every time. Judicious usage of antibiotics is essential to cure sinus infections.
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, azithromycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking azithromycin:
More common
- Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- fever
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- body aches or pain
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- earache
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- itching or rash
- joint or muscle pain
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- light-colored stools
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stomach pain, continuing
- stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
- stuffy nose
- swelling of the face, ankles, hands, feet, or lower legs
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- tightness in the chest
- upper right abdominal or stomach pain
- voice changes
Typical Dosing For Azithromycin
Adults:
- Pneumonia, strep throat, tonsillitis, and skin infections: Take 500 mg by mouth on day 1, followed by 250 mg by mouth once a day on days 2 through 5.
- Sinus infections: Take 500 mg by mouth once a day for 3 days.
- COPD flare-up: There are two sets of directions you can follow. You can take 500 mg by mouth once a day for 3 days, OR you can take 500 mg by mouth on day 1, followed by 250 mg by mouth once a day on days 2 through 5.
- Chancroid, chlamydia, and infections of the urethra and cervix not caused by gonorrhea: Take 1,000 mg by mouth one time only.
- Gonorrhea: Take 2,000 mg by mouth one time only.
Children :
- Middle ear infection: There are three sets of directions you can follow: Take 30 mg/kg by mouth one time only Take 10 mg/kg by mouth once a day for 3 days OR Take 10 mg/kg by mouth on day 1 and then take 5 mg/kg by mouth once a day on days 2 through 5.
- Sinus infections: Take 10 mg/kg by mouth once a day for 3 days.
- Pneumonia: Take 10 mg/kg by mouth on day 1 and then take 5 mg/kg by mouth once a day on days 2 through 5.
- Strep throat and tonsillitis: Take 12 mg/kg by mouth once a day for 5 days.
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How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia
If you suspect you have chlamydia, your doctor may want to test cervical or penile discharge or urine using one of several available methods.
In most cases of chlamydia, the cure rate is 95%. However, because many women donât know they have the disease until it has caused serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually active women under age 25 and others at higher risk should be tested for chlamydia once a year during their annual pelvic exam even if they dont have symptoms.
Pregnant women should also be tested as part of their routine lab work.
Usual Adult Dose For Legionella Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia:Oral:-Immediate-release: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 to 5-Extended-release: 2 g orally once as a single doseParenteral: 500 mg IV once a day as a single dose for at least 2 days, followed by 500 mg orally to complete a 7- to 10-day course of therapyComment: Extended-release formulations should be taken on an empty stomach.Uses:-Treatment of mild community acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy-Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia due to C pneumoniae, H influenzae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, M pneumoniae, or S pneumoniae in patients who require initial IV therapy
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Azithromycin Oral Suspension Description
Azithromycin for oral suspension USP contains the active ingredient azithromycin monohydrate, USP, a macrolide antibacterial drug, for oral administration. Azithromycin has the chemical name -13–2-ethyl-3,4,10-trihydroxy-3,5,6,8,10,12,14-heptamethyl-11-oxy]-1-oxa-6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one monohydrate. Azithromycin is derived from erythromycin however, it differs chemically from erythromycin in that a methyl-substituted nitrogen atom is incorporated into the lactone ring. Its molecular formula is C38H72N2O12H2O, and its molecular weight is 767.00. Azithromycin has the following structural formula:
Azithromycin, USP, as the monohydrate, is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C38H72N2O12H2O and a molecular weight of 767.00.
Azithromycin for Oral Suspension USP is supplied in bottles containing azithromycin monohydrate powder equivalent to 600 mg, or 1200 mg azithromycin, USP per bottle and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, FD & C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium phosphate tribasic anhydrous, sucrose, natural and artificial banana flavor, natural and artificial cherry flavor and xanthan gum. After constitution, each 5 mL of suspension contains 200 mg of azithromycin, USP. The dry powder before constitution is off-white to pinkish in color. The suspension after constitution is pink to red in color.
What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects.A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- diarrhea
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Zithromax 250 Mg And 500 Mg Tablets And Oral Suspension
He told Healthline that in high-risk cases, such as with older adults, it could be smarter to start treatment with two antibiotics, rather than using a wait-and-see approach to treating pneumonia. Elderly patients tend to be more vulnerable and really should be treated more carefully, potentially with an increase of aggressive antibiotic therapy, he said.Continue reading Zithromax 250 Mg And 500 Mg Tablets And Oral Suspension
Infant Pneumonia Caused By C Trachomatis
Chlamydial pneumonia among infants typically occurs at age 13 months and is a subacute pneumonia. Characteristic signs of chlamydial pneumonia among infants include a repetitive staccato cough with tachypnea and hyperinflation and bilateral diffuse infiltrates on a chest radiograph. In addition, peripheral eosinophilia occurs frequently. Because clinical presentations differ, all infants aged 13 months suspected of having pneumonia, especially those whose mothers have a history of, are at risk for , or suspected of having a chlamydial infection should be tested for C. trachomatis and treated if infected.
Diagnostic Considerations
Specimens for chlamydial testing should be collected from the nasopharynx. Tissue culture is the definitive standard diagnostic test for chlamydial pneumonia. Nonculture tests can be used. DFA is the only nonculture FDA-cleared test for detecting C. trachomatis from nasopharyngeal specimens however, DFA of nasopharyngeal specimens has a lower sensitivity and specificity than culture. NAATs are not cleared by FDA for detecting chlamydia from nasopharyngeal specimens, and clinical laboratories should verify the procedure according to CLIA regulations . Tracheal aspirates and lung biopsy specimens, if collected, should be tested for C. trachomatis.
Treatment
Erythromycin base or ethylsuccinate 50 mg/kg body weight/day orally divided into 4 doses daily for 14 days
Azithromycin suspension20 mg/kg body weight/day orally, 1 dose daily for 3 days
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How To Cope With Side Effects
What to do about:
- feeling sick stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while youre taking this medicine.
- diarrhoea or being sick drink lots of fluids such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Take small, frquent sips if youre being sick. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
- losing your appetite eat when you would usually expect to be hungry. If it helps, eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack when youre hungry. Have nutritious snacks that are high in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts.
- headaches rest and drink plenty of water. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller if you need one. Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
- feeling dizzy or tired if you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so you dont faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy or tired. Do not drink alcohol as it may make you feel worse.
- changes to your sense of taste talk with your doctor if this is bothering you.
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Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use azithromycin if you are allergic to it, or if:
-
you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking azithromycin or
-
you are allergic to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.
To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
liver disease
-
low levels of potassium in your blood or
-
long QT syndrome .
This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Side Effects Of Doxycycline For Sinus Infection
Generally, there are only some minor side effects after taking Doxycycline for sinus infection. Common side effects that can occur after taking doxycycline are-
- Nausea
- Little to almost no urination
- Lower count of white blood cells
- Iron supplements and laxatives
- Oral birth control pills
People who are in the habit of drinking alcohol are more likely to side effects of Doxycycline tablets, especially stomach upset. Moreover, when medicine is taken with milk or food it can reduce the absorption of medicine by the body.
The medicine also enhances the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Hence, when stepping out of the house, make sure you are properly covered and wearing sunglasses and sunscreen.
How Is Chlamydia Treated
The following are the recommended treatment regimens for chlamydia according to the Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, released in 2015, but still considered current. Only one regimen should be chosen.
- Azithromycin 1 gram orally as a single dose
- OR
- Ofloxacin 300 mg orally twice a day for 7 days.
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Use In Sexually Transmitted Infections
Azithromycin, at the recommended dose, should not be relied upon to treat syphilis. Antibacterial agents used to treat non-gonococcal urethritis may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis. All patients with sexually transmitted urethritis or cervicitis should have a serologic test for syphilis and appropriate testing for gonorrhea performed at the time of diagnosis. Appropriate antibacterial therapy and follow-up tests for these diseases should be initiated if infection is confirmed.