There are several alternatives to popular treatment Zithromax. Each of these has its upsides and disadvantages. In the following article, we will discuss these.
What is Zithromax?
Zithromax (Azithromycin) is used widely for treating a number of bacterial infections. Zithromax or Z-Pak is sold in the form of generic.
Uses:
- Strep throat
- Middle ear infection
- COPD exacerbation from infection
- Community acquired pneumonia
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Bacterial sinusitis
- Skin and soft tissue infection
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Chancroid
- Gonorrhea
- Urethritis
- Cervicitis
Upsides:
Available as a generic. The suspension can be used if you have trouble swallowing. Most bacteria are less resistant to it. There are tests available to see which antibiotics will kill the bacteria causing your infection. Immediate release form of the medication can be taken regardless of food intake.
Downsides:
Must space out antacids by at least 2 hours. Counter indicative for patients with liver disease. Counter indicative for patients who take blood-thinners (anticoagulants) because of increased risk of bleeding.
Zithromax alternatives (Z-Pak)
1. Augmentin is an antibiotic for several common types of infections. Augmentin would not necessarily work for less common types of infections.
Uses:
- Inner ear infection
- Sinusitis
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Fever associated with lower blood counts
- Strep throat
- Impetigo
- Pneumonia
- Skin and soft tissue infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Melioidosis
- Prosthetic joint infection
Upsides:
Comes as generic product. Available in forms of tablet, capsule, also in liquid forms. Adverse effects are generally less severe compared to other antibiotics.
Downsides:
A lot of types of bacteria have learned resistance to this antibiotic. Adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Birth control pills may not work when combined with the medication. Please advise your physician on existing adverse effects and counteractions.
2. Doxycycline is a popular antibiotic known for treating many bacterial infections. However, with some patients, it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight making a higher probability of sunburn or rash.
Uses:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Skin infections
- Urinary tract infection
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Respiratory tract infection
- Postexposure prevention for anthrax inhalation
- Plague
- Acinetobacter infection
- Actinomycosis
- Amebiasis
- Anthrax
- Bartonella infection
- Brucellosis
- Chancroid
- Chlamydia
- Cholera
- Clostridial infection
- Listeriosis
- Malaria prevention
- Urethritis
- Psittacosis
- Q fever
- Relapsing fever
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Shigellosis
- Spotted fevers
- Tularemia postexposure
- Typhus group rickettsial disease
- Vincent’s infection
- Yaws
- Typhoid fever
- Granuloma inguinale
- Campylobacter infection
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
Upsides:
Doxycycline is a great alternative for some types of bacterial infections for patients allergic to penicillin. Available as a generic. Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and liquid. Vibramycin is safe for people of age 65 and older. Can be used by patients with kidney complications. Can treat a lot of exotic infections.
Downsides:
Vibramycin makes skin more sensitive to the sun and that can result in a variety of adverse effects. Including burnas and rushes. The medicine can make some birth control treatments less efficient. Vitamins, iron supplements, or antacids can’t be taken at the same time as Vibramycin. Vibramycin can cause severe diarrhea as an adverse effect. Diarrhea is usually watery and bloody, and can be observed as late as 2 months after completing the course of treating the medicine. Please advise your physician on existing adverse effects and counteractions.
3. Amoxil is a decent antibiotic that comes in all sorts of forms and is used to treat many types of bacterial infections.
Uses:
- Ear infection
- Nose infection
- Throat infection
- Urinary tract infections
- Pylori
- Pneumonia
- Skin infections
Upsides:
Available as a generic. Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and liquid. The liquid medication is available with different flavors to make it taste better. Adverse effects are generally less severe compared to other antibiotics.
Downsides:
A lot of types of bacteria have learned resistance to this antibiotic. Adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Except for the extended-release form, you have to take the medication 2 to 3 times a day. The medication in the extended-release form is more expensive than other known counterparts. Please advise your physician on existing adverse effects and counteractions.
4. Cipro is a good and inexpensive antibiotic designed to treat a variety of infections.
Uses:
- Acute sinusitis
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Chronic bronchitis
- Kidney infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Gonorrhea
- Chronic prostatitis
- Bone and joint infection
- Skin and soft tissue infection
- Diarrheal infection
- Abdominal infection
- Postexposure prevention for anthrax inhalation
- Typhoid fever
Upsides:
Available as a generic. Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and liquid. The medication is available as an intravenous (IV) injection.
Downsides:
Counter indicative for patients with kidney complications. When drinking coffee while on Cipro, ythe effect of caffeine is increased. Some bacteria have developed resistance to Cipro. Please advise your physician on existing adverse effects and counteractions.
5. Cephalexin is a popular treatment for many known bacterial infections.
Uses:
- Bone infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Ear infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Skin infection
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Prevention of endocarditis
- Prevention of infection in people with prosthetic joint implants undergoing dental procedure
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Surgical site infection
Upsides:
Available in generic. Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and liquid. Can be taken with or without food. Generally fewer adverse effects are observed compared to other antibiotics of the same class.
Downsides:
As an adverse effect, can cause diarrhea. A patient may need to take Keflex 2 to 4 times a day. If you’re allergic to penicillin, the medication may not be for you. Please advise your physician on existing adverse effects and counteractions.