Zithromax vs. Biaxin

• Are Biaxin and Zithromax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zithromax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Biaxin?
• What is Zithromax?
• What is Biaxin?
• What Drugs Interact with Zithromax?
• What Drugs Interact with Biaxin?
• How Should Zithromax Be Taken?
• How Should Biaxin Be Taken?

Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) and Biaxin (clarithromycin) are macrolide antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections such as otitis media (middle ear infection), tonsillitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, and others.

Common side effects of Zithromax include:

• diarrhea or loose stools,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• nervousness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• skin rash or itching,
• ringing in the ears,
• hearing problems,
• or decreased sense of taste or smell.

Common side effects of Biaxin include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• indigestion,
• abdominal pain,
• headache,
• tooth discoloration,
• itching or rash, or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Tell your doctor if you have severe liver symptoms including:

• low fever,
• itching,
• upper stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• dark urine,
• clay colored stools, or
• yellowing the skin or eyes (jaundice).

Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic used for treating:

• otitis media (middle ear infection),
• tonsillitis,
• laryngitis,
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• and sinusitis caused by susceptible bacteria.

Zithromax is also effective against several sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STDs) such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis. Zithromax is available in generic form.

Biaxin (clarithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic prescribed for certain bacterial infections including skin and middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Biaxin is available in generic form.

Zithromax may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, other antibiotics, theophylline, cholesterol-lowering medicines, heart medications, HIV medicines, sedatives or seizure medicines.

Zithromax may also interact with arsenic trioxide, pimozide, tacrolimus, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, ergot medicines, blood pressure medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, or tranquilizers.

Biaxin may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, other antibiotics, theophylline, cholesterol-lowering medicines, heart medications, HIV medicines, sedatives or seizure medicines.

Biaxin may also interact with colchicine, itraconazole, omeprazole, ranitidine, bismuth citrate, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, tolterodine, steroids, or insulin or oral diabetes medications.

A typical oral dose of Zithromax consists of 500 mg for 1 day then 250 mg for 4 days. A typical intravenous dose consists of 500 mg for 2 days followed by 500 mg orally daily for an additional 5-8 days.

Biaxin adult dose is 250mg to 500mg twice daily or 1000mg once daily (extended release) and dosage in children is based on the weight.