Zmax (Azithromycin) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Zmax

Sinus Infection »

Sinus infection facts

Sinus infections are caused by infections from a pathogenic microorganism (virus, bacterium, or fungus), which grows within a sinus and causes intermittent blockage of the sinus ostium.
Most people do not transmit sinus infections; most clinicians agree that except for rare instances, sinus infections are not contagious but arise from mainly viruses and bacteria that, by chance, contaminate a person who sinuses support their proliferation because of minor, and rarely, major abnormalities in the person's sinus tissue (for example, swelling, inflammation, abnormal mucus production, and rarely, facial or nasal trauma).
Sinusitis is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose. Sinusitis can be caused by infection, but also can be caused by allergies and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
Sinusitis may be classified in several ways such as acute sinus infec...

Read the Sinus Infection article »

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Zmax®
(azithromycin) Extended Release for Oral Suspension

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Zmax and other antibacterial drugs, Zmax should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Zmax (azithromycin extended release) for oral suspension contains the active ingredient azithromycin (as azithromycin dihydrate), an azalide, a subclass of macrolide antibiotics. Azithromycin has the chemical name (2R,3S,4R,5R,8R,10R,11R,12S,13S,14R)13-[(2,6-Dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-α-L-ribo-hexopyra nosyl)oxy]-2-ethyl-3,4,10-trihydroxy-3,5,6,8,10,12,14-heptamethyl-11-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-1 -oxa-6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one. Azithromycin is derived from erythromycin; however, it differs chemically from erythromycin in that a methyl-substituted nitrogen atom is incorporated into the lactone ring. Its molecular formula is C₃₈H₇₂N₂O₁₂,, and its molecular weight is 749.0. Azithromycin has the following structural formula:

Zmax®
(azithromycin) Structural Formula Illustration

Azithromycin, as the dihydrate, is a white crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C₃₈H₇₂N₂O₁₂•2H₂O and a molecular weight of 785.0.

Zmax is a single-dose, extended release formulation of microspheres for oral suspension containing azithromycin (as azithromycin dihydrate) and the following excipients: glyceryl behenate, poloxamer 407, sucrose, sodium phosphate tribasic anhydrous, magnesium hydroxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, xanthan gum, colloidal silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, artificial cherry flavor, and artificial banana flavor.

Note: Each bottle of Zmax 2 g for oral suspension contains approximately 148 mg of sodium and 19 g of sucrose. Constituted Zmax oral suspension contains approximately 2 mg/mL of sodium and 0.26 g/mL of sucrose.

What are the possible side effects of azithromycin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
chest pain, uneven heartbeats;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Zmax »

What are the precautions when taking azithromycin (Zmax)?

Before taking azithromycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).

Azithromycin may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right...

Read All Potential Precautions of Zmax »

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/15/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.