Azithromycin Vs. Zithromax: Drug Comparison

Azithromycin is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Zithromax^®. The information below is about brand name Zithromax. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Zithromax (azithromycin) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of respiratory infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, and certain ear infections. Off-label uses may include treating conditions like traveler’s diarrhea or certain tick-borne infections. Zithromax is available in tablet, liquid suspension, and intravenous forms. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Caution is advised due to the risk of QT prolongation, a heart rhythm disorder, especially in patients with existing heart conditions or those taking other medications that affect heart rhythm.

Zithromax^® (azithromycin) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of respiratory infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, and certain ear infections. Off-label uses may include treating conditions like traveler’s diarrhea or certain tick-borne infections. Zithromax is available in tablet, liquid suspension, and intravenous forms. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Caution is advised due to the risk of QT prolongation, a heart rhythm disorder, especially in patients with existing heart conditions or those taking other medications that affect heart rhythm.

Macrolide antibacterial

Macrolide antibacterial

Zithromax (azithromycin) is indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria:

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Mycobacterial infections

Zithromax (azithromycin) is indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria:

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Mycobacterial infections

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 600 mg tablets and 1,000 mg/5 mL oral suspension

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 600 mg tablets and 1000 mg/5 mL oral suspension

The most common adverse reactions are:

• Diarrhea (5%)

• Nausea (3%)

• Abdominal pain (3%)

• Vomiting

The most common adverse reactions are:

• Diarrhea (5%)

• Nausea (3%)

• Abdominal pain (3%)

• Vomiting

• Patients with known hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide, or ketolide antibiotic

• Patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin

• Drug interactions: nelfinavir, warfarin

• Patients with known hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide, or ketolide antibiotic

• Patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin

• Drug interactions: Nelfinavir, warfarin

• Serious (including fatal) allergic and skin reactions

• Liver toxicity

• Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS)

• Prolongation of QT interval and cases of torsades de pointes have been reported

• Cardiovascular death

• Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea

• Zithromax may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis

• Serious (including fatal) allergic and skin reactions

• Liver toxicity

• Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS)

• Prolongation of QT interval and cases of torsades de pointes have been reported

• Cardiovascular death

• Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea

• Zithromax may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis

*This information is from the label for brand name Zithromax^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Azithromycin, the active ingredient in Zithromax, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient azithromycin.

*This information is from the label for brand name Zithromax^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Azithromycin, the active ingredient in Zithromax, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient azithromycin.