Macrodantin vs. Zithromax

• Are Macrodantin and Zithromax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Macrodantin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zithromax?
• What Is Macrodantin?
• What Is Zithromax?
• What drugs interact with Macrodantin?
• What drugs interact with Zithromax?
• How Should Macrodantin Be Taken?
• How Should Zithromax Be Taken?

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) and Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) are antibiotics used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Macrodantin is prescribed to treat or prevent urinary tract infections.

Zithromax Z-PAK is used to treat middle ear infection (otitis media), tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STDs) such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis.

Macrodantin and Zithromax are different types of antibiotics. Macrodantin is a nitrofuran antibiotic and Zithromax Z-PAK is a macrolide antibiotic.

Side effects of Macrodantin and Zithromax that are similar include headache, itching, rash, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects of Macrodantin that are different from Zithromax include loss of appetite and rust-colored or brownish urine.

Side effects of Zithromax that are different from Macrodantin include abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, tiredness, nervousness, sleep problems (insomnia), ringing in the ears, hearing problems, and decreased sense of taste or smell.

Macrodantin may interact with antacids, magnesium salicylate, choline magnesium salicylate, and probenecid.

Zithromax may interact with arsenic trioxide, cyclosporine, pimozide, tacrolimus, theophylline, warfarin, other antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, cholesterol-lowering medicines, ergot medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medicines, HIV medicines, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, or seizure medicines.

Side effects of Macrodantin include:

• headache,
• itching,
• rash,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• rust-colored or brownish urine, or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

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.

Macrodantin (nitrofurantoin) is an antibiotic prescribed to treat or prevent urinary tract infections. Macrodantin is available in generic form.

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.

Macrobid may also interact with magnesium salicylate or choline magnesium salicylate.

Zithromax may interact with arsenic trioxide, cyclosporine, pimozide, tacrolimus, theophylline, warfarin, other antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, cholesterol-lowering medicines, ergot medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medicines, HIV medicines, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, or seizure medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Macrodantin should be given with food to improve drug absorption and, in some patients, tolerance. Adults should take 50-100 mg four times a day-the lower dosage level is recommended for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

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.