Zmax ratings & reviews

Azithromycin
Company: Pfizer
Brand: Zmax
+3 more
Zmax, Azasite, Zithromax, Zithromax Z-Pak
Drug class: General Anti-infectives Systemic
+2 more
General Anti-infectives Systemic, Systemic Antibiotics, Macrolide Antibiotics
Overall rating
3.7
full star full star full star half star empty star
Ranked #13
Physician ratings
  • Efficacy: effective for its intended use
  • Safety: safe to use in humans
  • Tolerability: low drug side effects
  • Accessibility: insurance/payer coverage, cost, affordability,formulary coverage, availability in your hospital or practice setting
  • Adherence: patient compliance with treatment
Efficacy
3.5/5
Safety
3.7/5
Tolerability
3.6/5
Accessibility
3.9/5
Adherence
3.9/5

Sermo AI Overview

  • Zmax's efficacy is viewed with mixed opinions among healthcare professionals, particularly for conditions like community-acquired pneumonia and sinusitis. Concerns arise regarding lower effectiveness in specific groups, including geriatrics and pediatrics, and variable reports of its performance in treating different infections.
  • While Zmax generally has high ratings for safety and tolerability among patients, issues such as gastrointestinal side effects and high costs have been noted, which may limit accessibility and patient adherence to treatment. These factors highlight the importance of monitoring individual responses during therapy.
  • Physicians have raised concerns about the increasing bacterial resistance which may impair Zmax's effectiveness, especially in treating pneumonia. Adherence to the medication can also vary significantly, indicating that patient experiences may differ widely.
  • Despite some positive feedback regarding Zmax's ease of use and results in intensive care settings, there remains a consensus that its efficacy varies significantly among specialties and conditions, emphasizing the need for careful patient selection and management.
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Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

AZITHROMYCIN (az ith roe MYE sin) treats infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to a group of medications called antibiotics. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by viruses.

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Take this medication on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Drink your full dose at once. Do not split the dose. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking the dose, let your care team know immediately, you may need more medication.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for infants as young as 6 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep the bottle closed tightly until ready to use. Use within 12 hours.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
  • Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • Severe diarrhea, fever
  • Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • History of blood diseases, such as leukemia
  • History of irregular heartbeat
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to azithromycin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Cisapride
  • Dronedarone
  • Pimozide
  • Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium
  • Colchicine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Digoxin
  • Ergot alkaloids, such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine
  • Estrogen or progestin hormones
  • Nelfinavir
  • Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
  • Phenytoin
  • Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your care team if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

Contact your care team if vomiting and fussiness with feeding occurs in a treated infant.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

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