Azithromycin
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, more specifically talking, it's an azalide. It is a broad-spectrum drug that is active against gram-positive, gram-negative, and some anaerobic bacteria. In bodybuilding, it is often used as an antibiotic to treat skin and soft tissue infections, such as moderate acne. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of RNA-dependent protein of sensitive microorganisms, thus slowing down the growth and replication of bacterias. If the concentration of the drug is high, it can demonstrate a bactericidal action. Acts on intracellular and extracellular pathogens.
It is used to treat many diseases, especially respiratory, infectious and inflammatory diseases, with otitis media, chlamydia, malaria. Azithromycin among the fundamental drugs of WHO (world health organization) list . It was first synthesized in 1980 by the pharmaceutical company Pliva and went on sale in 1988.
Azithromycin Benefits:
- Azithromycin is acid-resistant, lipophilic. It works in a lot of systems and organs in our body, due to the ability of the drug to rapidly pass through the histohematogenous barriers, easily enter the respiratory tract, genitourinary organs, and tissues, into the prostate gland, skin, as well as soft tissues.
- The drug easily goes through the cell membranes, thus creating high concentrations of itself inside the cell. It is especially important for exterminating intracellular bacterias. It resides in big concentrations for 5-7 days after the final dose.
- Azithromycin is well absorbed from the intestine but is partly metabolized when the first passage through the liver is happening. The maximum amount of Azithromycin in blood plasma is reached 2.5-3 hours after ingestion.
- Azithromycin is among the least toxic antibiotics. For example, the frequency of side effects is less than that of the macrolides erythromycin and clarithromycin.
- It has improved pharmacokinetic properties and a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity than erythromycin; for example, in particular, it penetrates better into the cells of gram-negative bacteria and acts on them not only bacteriostatically, but also bactericidal. As proof of this, let's consider Evgenia's review: "I used to think that antibiotics should be used only as a last resort when the disease was already flourishing. But after a recommendation from a doctor I know, I decided to try a different treatment strategy. I just felt the cold symptoms, bought this drug, read the instructions, and took a pill. At first, the cold began to take its toll, but I felt a positive result after a day of treatment. And from that moment, I often save myself with this remedy. "
Administration and Dosage
The drug is available in capsules or comes as a powder; therefore, it is taken orally. The dosage and duration of the cycle depend on the purpose of using it. The usual scheme of its intake - one time per day, either one hour before meals, or 2 hours after meals.
- For infections of the respiratory tract (both upper and lower), ENT organs, skin, and soft tissues: 500 mg 1 time/day during three days (cycle dose - 1.5 g).
- For common acne of moderate severity: 2 caps. 250 mg 1 time/day for three days, then 250 mg 2 times a week for nine days. Heading dose - 6.0 g.
- For urinary tract infections (urethritis, cervicitis): 2 caps at a time. 500 mg each.
If you missed the administration of one dose of the Azitromycin, you need to take this missed dose should be taken as early as you can, and the following ones should be administered in 24 hours.
If you want to combine taking Azithromycin with other drugs, you should discuss it in detail with your doctor. The drug does not cooperate with theophylline, hypnotics and anticonvulsants, tranquilizers, indirect anticoagulants, antihistamines.
Side Effects:
- From the side of the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastric pain, indigestion, constipation, and laboratory parameters of liver dysfunction.
- Allergic reactions: itching, rash on the skin, angioedema, urticaria.
- From the side of the cardiovascular system: palpitations, arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia.
- From the side of the nervous system: nervousness, dizziness, hyperactivity, headache, convulsions, drowsiness, aggressiveness, anxiety.
- From the side of the genitourinary system: interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure.
If you have moderate liver dysfunction or impaired renal function, you should be careful using the drug. Because of the possibility of side effects from the side of the central nervous system, it is important to be careful while driving and operating machinery. It is not allowed for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding women to administer the drug