To get sick you just need to be healthy. The disease is the order of the day and this is a reality that became much more notable in 2020 with the arrival of Covid-19, a virus that has blinded the lives of thousands of people. In their effort to maintain good health, scientists and doctors have devised a large number of medicines, many of which treat diseases such as cancer, HIV, among others, and have a very high cost, which does not allow them to be within the reach of everybody. However, there are other medicines that help fight diseases caused by viruses and bacteria and that are more accessible to the general public. Many of them are antibiotics, such as azithromycin. However, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has caused bacteria to mutate and become more resistant to them. For this reason, many of these medications can no longer be used to combat them, as they have no effect. And this is a situation that has spread rapidly.
Antibiotic resistance throws away the advances that modern medicine has had. Likewise, it prolongs the length of stay in medical centers and increases expenses for other medications. In view of this, the need to take azithromycin to treat certain diseases raises some questions, such as what is the best way to take it? How long should it be done? What are the contraindications or negative aspects to consider? Knowing the answers to these questions is very important, since it depends on it that you can enjoy good health. This brief article has been written with the intention of providing the correct and timely guidance regarding the administration and use of this very common antibiotic in any pharmacy.
Instructions for taking azithromycin
Antibiotics are a type of drug that is used to combat infections caused by bacteria and that are not efficient when these infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics have the function of killing microorganisms and stopping their reproduction, making it easier to eliminate them through the body’s natural pathways. Taking into account its chemical structure, we can find different types, although some are effective against different types of bacteria. To find out which antibiotic to take, you should visit your doctor, since he or she is the one with the necessary training to determine which bacteria is responsible for the process that is taking place. However, the effectiveness of a treatment depends on other factors, such as the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream, the amount of drug that reaches the sources of infection in the body and the speed with which the body is responsible for eliminating the drug. medicine. In the specific case of azithromycin, this is an antibiotic that is used very frequently to treat respiratory infections, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, diarrhea and other infections. It has become one of the most used, since a single tablet is usually administered per day for a period of time between 3 and 5 days. In fact, there are infections that can be treated with just one dose. Now, it can be indicated to treat infections, such as pneumonia, gonorrhea, tonsillitis, sinusitis, chlamydia, otitis, acne, cholera, among other diseases. But what do you need to know about its use?
What do you need to take azithromycin?
You can take azithromycin both on an empty stomach and with food. You should not exceed the recommended dose, that is, one tablet per day. If the treatment lasts for more than one day, it is best to take it the next day at the same time. In case you forget to take it, do it as soon as possible. However, if the next dose is near, you do not have to take two tablets, one is enough. On the other hand, you need to know that, like any other drug, azithromycin should be kept in a dry place and away from heat. However, the bathroom is not a recommended place to store it or any other medication. If you observe the presence of an allergic reaction, it is best to suspend its use and inform the doctor who prescribed it. The recommended dosage for sinusitis is one 500 mg tablet per day for 3 days. For chlamydia, 1,000 mg as a single dose. In the case of pneumonia, 500 mg the first day and then 250 mg a day for 4 days. Although it is true that the medication dosage varies depending on the disease being treated, in general, the most frequent use is 3 days. However, azithromycin is able to reach the intracellular space, where it stays for a week. Therefore, if it is administered for three days, it is considered to act in the body for about 10 days. You also need to know that if you are undergoing treatment with azithromycin, you cannot consume alcohol until at least 24 hours after completion. In the case of women who take birth control pills, they do not run the risk of their effect being cut off. Now, what other things should you take into account when taking azithromycin? Let’s see it.
Tips for taking azithromycin
Although azithromycin is a very safe drug, it is not exempt from causing side effects. Among the most common are nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhea. However, it only occurs in 5-10% of cases. In general, these symptoms tend to occur mostly when a dose greater than or equal to 1 gram daily is administered. This antibiotic is not recommended in patients with liver disease. Especially, in the case of suffering from hepatitis or cirrhosis, since it can be toxic to the liver. It should also not be used by people suffering from myasthenia gravis. Also, despite the fact that it has not been proven that it can cause malformations in the fetus, it is not recommended to use it during pregnancy, or if there is suspicion of it, or if you are breastfeeding a baby. On the other hand, it is important that you are aware that antibiotics sometimes cause allergic reactions. Among the mildest are those that cause a skin rash and those that leave a slight wheezing when breathing. As for the most serious allergic reactions, these can be fatal and include symptoms such as inflammation of the throat, difficulty breathing, reduction in blood pressure, etc. There is a very big difference between having a side effect and being allergic to the antibiotic. In the case of being allergic, for nothing in the world can you be prescribed this medication again, since your life is at stake. However, if they have experienced a mild side effect, they can usually continue to take some related medications or even continue with the same one. Of course, it is the doctors who are in charge of determining how important the reaction caused by the antibiotic has been and whether or not you can continue taking it. For nothing in the world do you take azithromycin or any other antibiotic without first being prescribed by your treating doctor and, when a prescription has been made, do not exceed the time of use or fail to comply with the treatment. Remember that there is always the possibility of bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics, which would further damage the health picture. If you follow the recommendations that your doctor gives you to the letter, there will be nothing to regret. On the contrary, you will be able to say goodbye to your illness and recover your health.
