Zithromax vs. Bactrim

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

Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.

Zithromax and Bactrim belong to different antibiotic drug classes. Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic and Bactrim is a combination of a sulfonamide antibiotic (a “sulfa” drug) and a folic acid inhibitor.

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 Bactrim include:

• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• painful or swollen tongue,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• ringing in your ears,
• tiredness, or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Bactrim including:

• bruising or bleeding,
• aplastic anemia,
• jaundice,
• hepatic necrosis,
• mouth sores,
• joint aches,
• severe skin rashes,
• itching, and
• sore throat.

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.

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) DS is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, acute otitis media, bronchitis, Shigellosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, traveler's diarrhea, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other bacterial infections susceptible to this antibiotic. Bactrim is available as a generic drug.

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.

Bactrim may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, methotrexate, oral diabetes medications, and seizure medications. Bactrim may also interact with antidepressants, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), indomethacin, leucovorin, calcium folinate, and heart or blood pressure medications. Cipro may also interact clozapine, probenecid, ropinirole, theophylline, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or steroids.

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.

Administer the solution by intravenous infusion over a period of 60 to 90 minutes. Avoid administration by rapid infusion or bolus injection. Do NOT administer Bactrim intramuscularly.