The drug is effective against a wide range of bacteria, is relatively harmless and is prescribed in a short course. Structural analogues of Azithromycin in the form of a suspension and tablets contain the same active substance in an identical dosage. An antibiotic is taken 1 or 3 days depending on the severity of the disease.
Material Content:
Composition (active substance) and release form
Azithromycin is an improved form of the erythromycin antibiotic. The first medicine is modern acid resistant azalide. The drug is prescribed for bacterial diseases of the ENT organs, sinusitis, otitis media, microbial lesions of the skin, genitourinary tract, Helicobacter pylori infection and borreliosis.
Azithromycin is part of a group of drugs with various trade names. The content of the active substance in capsules and tablets is 125, 250 or 500 mg. In addition to the antibiotic, lactose, povidone and other excipients are used in solid dosage form.
There are differences between capsules and tablets. The first have an enteric gelatin shell under which there is a powder with an antibiotic. There are fewer excipients than tablets, or they are not used at all.
The concentration of the antibiotic in the finished suspension of Azithromycin Ecomed is 20 or 40 mg / ml. Auxiliary components in this dosage form are sweetener, calcium carbonate and other compounds. Powder in a bottle is produced. Before first use, add water to the mark on the bottle. Suspension is usually prescribed for children.
Instructions for use of the antibiotic
Adults with bacterial diseases can drink Azithromycin in tablets or capsules, as well as in suspension. Take a daily dose at a time, an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. It is necessary to pay attention to the content of azithromycin in the purchased product.
In one tablet or capsule of 500 mg and two of 250 mg, the concentration of the antibiotic is the same.
How to drink azithromycin in accordance with the instructions for use:
- bacterial diseases of the ENT organs and the underlying parts of the respiratory system - 500 mg once a day, course - 3 days;
- infectious skin lesions (including with borreliosis) - on the first day of treatment, 1000 mg are taken, from 2 to 5 days - 500 mg each (once);
- eradication of Helicobacter infection of the gastrointestinal tract - 1000 mg / day (once), course - 3 days;
- acute bacterial infections of the urogenital tract - 1000 mg / day (once).
Adolescents under 12 years of age can take Azithromycin tablets or capsules, 500 mg, structural analogues with the same dosage. Children from 3 years old and weighing more than 25 kg are recommended to give a suspension or capsules with antibiotic 125 and 250 mg.
The dose of suspension for children is determined taking into account body weight. Give the child 10 mg / kg of body weight per day for 3 days. The lower age limit for the use of azithromycin in the form of a suspension is 6 months. This is one of the few antibiotics that are allowed in infancy.
Russian analogues of azithromycin in tablets
An antibiotic with such an international generic name was created about 40 years ago. In Russia and abroad, many analogues are now being produced cheaper than the first Zitromax with azithromycin.
Tablets and capsules of Russian production:
- Azithromycin Forte-OBL;
- Azithromycin Ekomed;
- AzitRus forte;
- Z-factor;
- Zitrolide;
- Azitrox.
Russian preparations Zi-Factor, Zitrolide and AzitRus are 2–4 times cheaper than imported Sumamed, although the concentrations of azithromycin and the form of release coincide. A package of tablets or capsules of domestic production for one course of treatment can be purchased at a price of 100-240 rubles.
Imported substitutes for the drug
Abroad, drugs with the same active substance are also produced, but under various trade names Imported analogues of Azithromycin may contain 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg of antibiotic.
Commercial Names:
- Azithromycin-Akrikhin;
- Azithromycin Zentiva;
- Chemomycin;
- Sumamed;
- Ziramin;
- Azithral.
Sumamed, made in Croatia, is popular for its variety of dosage forms and dosages. The antibiotic content in the tablets varies: the smallest dosage is 125, the highest is 1000 mg. In addition, there is a children's dosage form. The powder in the vials is diluted with water and a suspension for oral administration with a strawberry or banana flavor is obtained. Soluble tablets (dispersible) are produced under the same trade name.
Sumamed is a more expensive drug compared to imported and Russian counterparts. The cost of the powder is 350 rubles, tablets, 500 mg (3 pcs.) - 430 rubles, soluble tablets, 1000 mg (3 pcs.) - 950 rubles.
Cheap domestic analogues for children in suspension
The antibiotic is prescribed for children in the form of a ready-made suspension or powder, which should be diluted with water. The price of such funds is usually higher than tablets. Azithromycin is used in pediatrics to treat children who are diagnosed with an allergy to amoxicillin or cefixime, which are used primarily.
Cheap domestic drugs for children:
- Azitrox, suspension of 20 ml (20 mg / ml) - 190 rubles;
- AzitRus, powder in a bag - 26-50 rubles (1 pc.);
- Azithromycin Ekomed, powder in a vial (20 mg / ml) - 200 rubles.
The minus of azithromycin and other azalides is the cross-resistance of a group of bacterial pathogens to these antibiotics.
The drug of choice for microbial infections in children is amoxicillin, protected by clavulanic acid from destruction by bacterial enzymes.Penicillin antibiotics often cause allergies, then azithromycin comes to the rescue. Hypersensitivity develops to this drug less often. The active substance accumulates less in plasma, compared with tissues affected by bacteria.
Azithromycin with streptococcal tonsillitis or acute tracheobronchitis can be taken in just 3 days, one dose per day. Amoxicillin with the same indications should be drunk twice or thrice a day for 7 to 10 days.
Benefits of azithromycin:
- activity against common species and strains of pathogenic bacteria;
- the availability of drugs with dosages for children;
- few contraindications, severe side effects;
- variety of release forms;
- short course of application.
Within 3 or 5 days, the antibiotic creates a concentration in the affected tissues sufficient to suppress the bacteria sensitive to the drug. In addition, taking small doses is accompanied by fewer side effects. The likelihood of developing intestinal dysbiosis is reduced due to a violation of the composition of the gastrointestinal microflora.
Medicines similar in pharmacological properties
In addition to azithromycin, erythromycin, oleandomycin belong to azalides. More modern drugs of the same group are josamycin, macropen. Oleandomycin and erythromycin are considered obsolete.
A large list of indications for Vilprafen tablets that contain josamycin. Cons of funds: not prescribed for children under 14 years old, it is necessary to take 2-3 times a day for at least 10 days.
A large number of drugs containing the antibiotic clarithromycin are released: Klacid, Fromilid and others. These drugs are used for the same diseases that are listed in the instructions for azithromycin, but not 3 days, but from 5 to 14 days.
If there is no allergy to penicillins, then first of all with tonsillitis or bronchitis in children, Amoxiclav or Augmentin is prescribed. The drugs contain amoxicillin - the first generation penicillin antibiotic. Additionally, the composition includes clavulanic acid salts that enhance the antimicrobial effect.
Second-line antibiotics (after amoxicillin) are cephalosporins. If the patient is allergic to the drugs of choice or they have already been prescribed in the previous months, then the doctor may prescribe azithromycin to the patient. The doctor should not indicate the trade name, but the INN of the drug and its form of release. You can find out which full analogue is cheaper at the pharmacy.
It is dangerous to independently choose an antibiotic, dosage and dosage form. Each drug has a spectrum of activity, indications and side effects, therefore it is most effective in certain diseases. All factors must be taken into account by a specialist, choosing the most suitable tool in a particular situation.
