Drug name: Sumamed
Other names used:
- Vinzam®
- Zithromax®
- Zitrocin®
Active Ingredients:
- azithromycin
Therapeutic effects of Sumamed: Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial illnesses such as middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis. It also works against a number of contagious sexually transmitted diseases like non-gonococcal urethritis, uncomplicated urethritis and cervicitis. Recent studies showed this medication's effectiveness against late-onset asthma. However, the said findings are controversial and not widely accepted just yet. Upper respiratory tract infections such as bacterial pharyngitis/tonsilitis, sinusitis and ottitis media can also be relieved with this medication.
The same goes for lower respiratory tract infections like bacterial bronchitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, interstitial and alveolar pneumonia. Skin and soft tissue infections and other forms of it such as erythema migrans or the first stage of Lyme disease, erysipelas, impetigo and secondary pyoderma are also targeted by this medication. Gastric and duodenal infections caused by Helicobacter pylori can be treated as well.
Indications: Azithromycin, the active ingredient of Sumamed, belongs to a class of antibiotics called as macrolide. This medication is very effective in treating a range of infections caused by bacteria, but it's totally ineffective against viral infections. This medicine works by hindering the growth or bacteria. Sumamed when overused can lose its therapeutic effectiveness.
Precautions and Restrictions:
- Do not administer this medicine to patients who are highly sensitive to any macrolide antibiotics.
- Sumamed with Azithromycin as its active ingredient is meant to be taken in small doses. Do not exceed that dosage that is prescribed by a medical expert.
- Sumamed should not be given to patients with decreased liver function.
Side effects of Sumamed: With Sumamed there is always a distant possibility of some kind of adverse effect that is wholly or partly unintended. The side effects mentioned below are only a distant possibility and there are no prior proven records of such effects affecting everyone. Inform your doctor if you experience the following side effects:
- Dyspepsia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Mild allergic skin rashes
On very rare occasions few serious complications may arise, if you experience these serious effects then visit a doctor at once:
- Arrhythmia
- Jaundice
- Harsh, raspy, or strained voice
- Swelling in the throat, face, hands, lips, feet, or lower legs
- Breathing difficulty
- Dysphagia
- Itching
- Hives
- Severe skin rashes
These are just some of the side effects and this is by no means an exhaustive list of adverse effects caused due to the use of Sumamed. For more information kindly consult your physician, pharmacist, or see the full details presented with Sumamed.
Interactions: When Sumamed is taken with antacids the absorption rate of azithromycin reduces. So have an interval of two hours between the use of these medicines. There are no records to show that azithromycin interacts with ergot derivates. Sumamed may react with alfentanyl, midazolam, triazolam, astemizole, cyclosporine, or digoxin. Though there are no records to show that Sumamed may interact with the above mentioned medicines, it is best to monitor the patient for any reaction.
There are no studies or tests to show that Sumamed may change the blood levels of cimetedine, methylprednisolone, carbamazepine, warfarine, terphenadine and theophylline. Unlike majority of macrolides, azithromycin does not bind to cytochrom P-450 and so far no interactions with Sumamed and stated drugs have been observed.
Additional Information: Medicines should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share them with anybody else. Sumamed is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.
