Azithromycin is an antibiotic usually prescribed by doctors to battle various bacterial infections by interfering with their protein synthesis. Some of the common illnesses for which it is used include ear infections, typhoid, pneumonia, bronchitis, and gastroenteritis. It has also been proven effective for certain sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and cervicitis. This drug is included in the list of essential medicines released by the World Health Organization. Its most common trade name for marketing purposes is Zithromax. The drug would not work against colds, flu, and other viral infections.
Short-Term Side Effects
The most common short term side effects of Azithromycin include bloody or watery diarrhea, chest pain, heartbeat fluctuations, nausea, stomach pain, fever, appetite loss, urine and stool discoloration, jaundice, as well as skin reactions not limited to sore throat facial swelling, and burning sensation in the eyes and skin. Such conditions usually go away on their own after a day or two, but it is still recommended that you stop medication and consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
Long-Term Side Effects
Long term use of Azithromycin entails heart rhythm abnormalities which are brought about by QT prolongation, which in turn could result in irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, and fainting spells. Patients with history of diseases related to the liver, kidneys, and myasthenia gravis are asked to consult a doctor first. Prolonged intake of the drug is said to worsen the mentioned pre-existing conditions.
Dosage | Quantity | Price Without Insurance |
CVS Pharmacy |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $170.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $421.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $518.00 |
Kmart |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $235.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $496.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $520.00 |
Kroger |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $103.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $495.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $450.00 |
Publix |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $230.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $448.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $501.00 |
Rite Aid |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $214.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $444.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $570.00 |
Sams Club |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $189.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $385.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $560.00 |
Target |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $155.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $395.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $547.00 |
Walgreens |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $152.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $455.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $541.00 |
Walmart |
| 250mg | 30 tablets | $148.00 |
| 500mg | 30 tablets | $410.00 |
| 600mg | 30 tablets | $578.00 |
Drug Interaction
Azithromycin has several known drug interactions which should be avoided in fear of serious side effects which could prove to be lethal at some point. If you are taking medication such as antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine), telithromycin, droperidol, methadone, nelfinavir, blood thinners (warfarin, Coumadin), cancer medication (arsenic trioxide, vandetanib), antidepressants (citalopram, escitalopram), anti-malaria medication (chloroquine, halofantrine), heart rhythm medicine (amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol), or psychiatric treatment medication (chlorpromazine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine), then it is advised that you consult your doctor first in order to know some alternatives which could work better for your situation.
How It Works
What Azithromycin does is to serve as an obstacle for bacterial growth by blocking their synthesis of protein, which in turn inhibits the translation of mRNA by binding the bacterial ribosome’s 50S subunit deemed responsible for the multiplication and eventual spread of the said bacteria to many other uninfected areas.
Generic Alternatives
Azithromycin Price depends on the drugstore from which you are buying. The average Azithromycin Price tends to fall between the $12 to $20 range for eight tablets of 250 mg from retailer stores such as Walmart, Kmart, and Walgreens. Azithromycin Price could be significantly reduced if a promo coupon is presented in certain drugstores or purchased online. Azithromycin is the generic name of Zithromax and comes in the form of tablets or oral suspension. It is also available in intravenous injection form. Tablets come in 250 mg and 500 mg variants. Alternative brand names include Zaret, Azin, Penalox, Zeto, and Azyth, among others.
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