Far from all infections, the human body can cope on its own. If the disease is caused by a bacterial pathogen that easily adapts to any conditions, you can not do without taking antibiotics. With a protracted, complicated course of a disease of an infectious nature, doctors often prescribe Sumamed.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

The drug was invented in Croatia more than a century ago. It is used in the treatment of all kinds of infections by doctors of different countries. Sumamed is on the WHO Essential Medicines List.


An antibiotic is available in several forms:

  • tableted, 500 mg. Rounded convex plate with a turquoise shell. If it is broken, you can notice a light substance inside. This is a pressed powder consisting of the active ingredient and auxiliary elements;
  • tableted, 125 mg. This release form has the same external characteristics. It differs in the amount of active substance in the agent;
  • non-shell tablets, consisting of powdered dry drug substance, 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg. They are biconvex light plates of rounded shape;
  • encapsulated dosage form, 250 mg. It has a light blue gelatin shell, a yellow powder is found inside;
  • powdery substance, upon dilution of which a suspension is obtained, 100 mg / 5 ml. It is used to treat severe protracted infections in young patients, therefore, it contains a flavor;
  • dried substance used to create a solution for intravenous administration, 500 mg. Sumamed in this dosage form is widely used by hospital medical professionals.

The active substance of the drug is azithromycin. And also in its composition there are additional elements that allow you to create a certain form of the product, preserve its properties throughout the expiration date:

  • cellulose or dietary fiber. In addition to the form-forming function, it exhibits sorbing properties, is excreted unchanged;
  • starch, acting as a binder component. It is administered in an amount of up to eight percent of the total weight of a tablet or capsule;
  • stearic acid, used to connect the components of the funds. For a long time, experts talked about the safety of this element, but recent studies have revealed the toxicity of the substance;
  • calcium phosphate, a white crystalline substance with a lubricating function, preserves the integrity of the tablet shell.

Tablets and capsules are packed in three pieces in a blister, because the course of therapy on average is three days.

Which group of antibiotics belongs

The drug belongs to the group of macrolides, which are antibiotics of natural and semi-synthetic origin. They are considered one of the safest. This class of substances, entering the patient’s body, begins to restrain the formation of microbial cell proteins. Drugs of this type have low toxicity, are well tolerated due to the short course of therapy and high efficiency.

Among macrolides, a group of ketolides and azalides is distinguished. Due to the nitrogen content in the composition, the molecule of the latter is stable. Azithromycin also belongs to azalides.

Pharmacological action and indications for taking Sumamed

Sumamed antibiotic is used in the treatment of diseases of the lungs, bronchi and throat, genital infections, inflammatory processes of the skin. The drug effectively fights intracellular parasitic, as well as gram-positive spherical and gram-negative rod-shaped microorganisms.

The list of diseases in the treatment of which Sumamed tablets are successfully used is extensive:

  • sinusitis, acute tonsillitis, otitis media;
  • pneumonia, bronchitis;
  • inflammation of the nasopharynx;
  • infectious damage to the digestive tract;
  • secondary infection with psoriasis, eczema, pruritic dermatoses;
  • advanced form of acne;
  • erysipelatous inflammation of the skin;
  • ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis;
  • chlamydia, cervicitis;
  • the first stage of the development of tick-borne borreliosis.

This drug not only destroys the cell walls of microorganisms, but also prevents their reproduction.

Instructions for use and dosage for children and adults

In severe infectious diseases, it is impossible to self-medicate and use the drug uncontrollably, since it belongs to the group of potent substances, has an impressive list of contraindications, especially the interaction with other medicines. Sumamed can be used in treatment only if it is prescribed by a doctor after the necessary diagnostic procedures.

Tablets (125, 250, 500, 1000 mg)

The instructions for use of Sumamed indicate that in the treatment of respiratory diseases, as well as skin pathologies of an infectious nature, it is used at a dose of 500 mg, they are drunk once a day for three days. The course is extended by the attending physician if the symptoms are not completely stopped.
In the treatment of borreliosis, the drug is used for five consecutive days at a dose of 500 mg, they take one tablet a day.

In the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, the following scheme is used: a tablet at a dose of 1000 mg or two at a dose of 500 mg is taken once. After examination by a doctor, treatment is repeated or recovery is recorded.

The dose of the drug for patients under twelve years of age is calculated based on body weight. If it is up to 30 kg, 250 mg tablets are taken for three days once a day for pathological infectious processes in the respiratory and hearing organs. If the weight of the child or adult is up to 44 kg, they take three Sumamed tablets in a dosage of 125 mg. In the treatment of borreliosis in children under twelve years of age, the drug is taken in the indicated dosage, prolonging the course to five days.

Hard capsules with gelatin (250 mg)

In this form, in the treatment of bacterial infections, Sumamed is indicated for children over 12 years old weighing up to 33 kg.
In the treatment of diseases of ENT organs, respiratory diseases, the capsule is taken once a day, the course of treatment is three days.

In the treatment of secondary infection with psoriasis, eczema and itchy dermatoses, the drug is used for five days, the capsule is drunk once a day.

For digestive infections, Sumamed 250 mg is taken for three days, one capsule once a day.

In inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system, two capsules of 250 mg per day are prescribed, the course is three days.

Powder for the manufacture of a suspension (100 mg per 5 ml)

In the form of a powder for the preparation of a suspension, the drug is prescribed for children unable to swallow the product in tablet form. The substance has the smell of strawberries, cherries or bananas. Before taking Sumamed Forte, the powder is diluted in water, shaken vigorously. The finished mixture is stored for five days at a temperature of up to 25 degrees. The substance is collected from the vial using a measuring syringe in accordance with the indicated dosage.


With an average child weight of 15 kg, the dose will be 150 mg of the drug, that is, 7.5 ml of the suspension should be taken once a day for diseases of the ENT organs, upper and lower respiratory tract. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician. On average, it is from three to five days.

Lyophilisate for infusion therapy

In this form, doctors prescribe Sumamed to adults with a prolonged course of severe infectious diseases, including atypical etiology pneumonia. It is administered in a dosage of 500 mg daily in the form of droppers for one hour. The drug is excreted by the kidneys after twenty-four hours. The course of therapy under the supervision of a doctor is about five days.

During pregnancy and lactation

Like many other potent medicines, Sumamed is not recommended for use when carrying a child and lactation. However, in the event of a bacterial infection, the life of a pregnant woman may be at risk. Strictly on the recommendation and under the supervision of the attending physician, therapy with the use of reduced doses of this antibiotic in the second and third trimesters of gestation is possible. If a pregnant woman has chlamydia, only Sumamed can cope with it.

Drug interaction

Given the toxic effect of Sumamed on the liver, it is necessary to discuss with the doctor the possibility of using this antibiotic separately from other drugs, especially since the course of therapy usually lasts no more than five days. It should be noted that a number of medications can reduce the effect exerted by this antibiotic.


These include:

  • antibacterial Lincomycin and Clindamycin;
  • antacids such as "Rennie", "Vikaira", "Maaloxa".

Sumamed is also forbidden to be taken simultaneously with heparin sodium.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

You can not use Sumamed in the treatment of people who previously had an individual hypersensitivity reaction to an antibiotic of the macrolide group. In case of impaired liver or kidney function, it is taken with caution under the guise of hepatoprotectors and in compliance with the drinking regimen.

When taking the drug, side effects may occur:

  • rash or itchy dermatitis, anaphylactic shock;
  • digestive problems - bloating, diarrhea, pain in the stomach, a sharp decrease in appetite;
  • fungal infections of the genitourinary system;
  • headache;
  • drowsiness;
  • noise in ears;
  • neutrophilia and eosinophilia are rarely recorded.

In case of an overdose, severe vomiting, diarrhea occurs, hearing loss is possible, which is subsequently restored. If the recommended dose has been exceeded, it is urgent to rinse the stomach, take enterosorbents.

Antibiotic Analogs

The list of Sumamed's analogues is quite extensive.

Many of them are much cheaper than the original drug and are produced in our country:

  • Azithromycin;
  • Azithral
  • Azitrox;
  • Azitrus;
  • Zi factor;
  • Azivok;
  • Azidrop.

It should be remembered that the decision to replace the drug with a similar one is made only by the attending physician, who is familiar with the history of the disease and the individual characteristics of a particular patient. Self-medication in this case is life threatening.

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