Manufactured by: Pfizer

Generic Name: Azithromycin

What it is: A highly popular and highly potent antibiotic sold by Pfizer. It is prescribed for adults to treat mild to moderate skin infections, upper & lower respiratory tract infections, sexually transmitted infections of the cervix, and urinary tract infections. In children, it is used to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and strep throat. This drug is usually dispensed in a short-term (5-day) titration pack with far fewer individual doses than other antibiotics.

Active Ingredient: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic related to erythromycin. Azithromycin is often used for bacterial infections. It works against several different bacteria, especially chlamydia, hemophilus, and streptococcus. These particular bacteria can infect the skin, nose, throat, and lungs. They can also be transmitted through sexual activity, causing infections in the genital area.

Plant Constituent: Any of the numerous plant organisms that lacks chlorophyll. This includes yeasts, molds, smuts, and mushrooms.

Available forms: Injections, film-coated capsules, tablets, and liquid formulas for children under age of 12.
 
 

How Zithromax works: the active ingredient azithromycin acts by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible microorganisms and, thus, interfering with microbial protein synthesis.

Side Effects/Warnings: The common side effects in adults are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Less common in adults is blood in stool, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, yeast infection, and light sensitivity. The severe effects could be liver damage, or liver failure in which could result in a transfusion or death. Side effects in children are agitation, constipation, nervousness, pinkeye, insomnia, and stomach inflammation.

Sources: http://www.pfizer.com

http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2001/507370/51bl.pdf

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