Health / Prescription Medications / Give Me A ZPak

I had been experiencing a sore throat for two or three nights, and just didn't feel all that well. I happened to have a doctor's appointment coming up, so I decided to wait a few days to be checked until then. I mentioned the symptoms to my doctor, and come to find out, I had a sinus infection! Boy was I glad that I had that appointment, as I was getting ready to go on vacation, and probably would have felt bad the whole time (and maybe even gotten worse.)

Azithromycin Tablets are the generic brand for Zithromax 250 Z-Pak.  If you've ever taken a Z-Pak, then you know how convenient they are. Remember the days when we had to take antibiotics every 4 or 6 hours around the clock? Who misses those times? I sure don't! Z-Paks are amazingly convenient.  You take 2 tablets the first day, then one tablet each day for the next 4 days. Then you're done, but the medicine keeps on working on days 6-10. The dosage is 250 mg per tablet, and it was pretty well tolerated for me. I felt a little jittery because I took the first dose (2 tablets) at night before bed, and it kept me awake. But the next four nights, I did quite well. I did not have any real problems, such as nausea, stomach pain, or an upset stomach. The tablets could be taken with or without food. The only interaction noted by the company was to not take antacids at the same time as the tablet, and they gave the directions for when they could be taken.

The reason my doctor prescribed this medicine is because I am allergic to penicillin, and quinolones have caused me tendon problems. I have had a spontaneous rotator cuff tear, as well as swelling and tenderness over my joints. Many people have experienced this with quinolones, and for that reason I am hesitant to use them anymore. Seems like that's all my doctor wanted to give me for awhile.

I have just finished the Z-Pak, and my sinuses feel better, though I am sure they will continue to improve in the next couple of days. Less then 1% of patients discontinued this medicine due to adverse side effects, so it is well tolerated. And the dosing schedule can't be beat!