When it comes to antibiotics, doctors will prescribe different dosages depending on many different factors. One of the factors doctors look at most when deciding what dose of antibiotic to prescribe a patient is the type and severity of the infection the patient has. The following article will take a look at some of the common dosages of Azithromycin prescribed for different bacterial infections.
One of the most common reasons for prescribing Azithromycin for adults is to treat sexually transmitted diseases including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. When being used to treat a sexually transmitted disease, doctors often prescribe one dose of Azithromycin 1000 mg. as an effective treatment. What happens then is that the body will absorb the medicine a lot better than it will with other antibiotics. This hastens the treatment and can cut recovery time by one half or more. Instead of waiting 10 days for your infection to be gone, it can be gone in as little as 5 days. This is what one 1000 mg of Azithromycin can do. This is why many doctors are prescribing it to help cure sexually transmitted diseases.
Another common type of bacterial infection that doctors tend to treat with this antibiotic is upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis. Since upper respiratory infections are caused by bacteria, these antibiotics are extremely effective as a treatment. For most types of upper respiratory infections, doctors will prescribe a five day supply of this antibiotic. The first day the patient is instructed to take 2 tablets. Then every day for the next four days the patient should take one tablet. This is much quicker than taking a two week supply of antibiotics to cure an upper respiratory infection. Most other antibiotics must be taken for up to 14 days in a row.
Ear infections are another ailment that doctors will commonly prescribe this antibiotic to help treat. When a patient has this type of bacterial infection, like with the upper respiratory infection, doctors often prescribe a five day dosage as Azithromycin 250 mg tablets. The first day the patient is to take a double dose and then a single does each day thereafter until the tablets are gone. Once all of the Azithromycin 250 mg tablets are gone, your infection should be gone, as well.
While most people are good candidates to take this drug, pregnant women should only use it with extreme caution. There has been no conclusive testing conducted on the use of this drug in pregnant women. More so, tests have not conclusively determined whether or not that this drug can passed to a baby through his mother’s breast milk. Therefore, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should ask your doctor about alternative treatments for your bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease.
Pneumonia is another condition that is commonly treated with this antibiotic. Children and adults with pneumonia are often treated with 1000 mg of this antibiotic in attempt to kill the bacteria that is causing the lung infection. The body will quickly absorb all 1000 mg of the drug to help speed up recovery. In less sever cases of pneumonia, lesser doses are prescribed, while in more severe cases, higher does may be considered.
There are very few side effects associated with this drug. People who have reported side effects report them as being mild. Nausea is possible, but can be counteracted by always taking your medication with food. Mild abdominal pain was also reported, along with cases of getting a headache. Some people who have taken higher does of this drug have reported to getting mild skin rashes. If you experience symptoms other than these, or if the above symptoms become severe, you should contact your doctor immediately.
