Cleocin vs. Zithromax

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

Cleocin (clindamycin hydrochloride) and Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) are antibiotics used to treat various infections caused by bacteria.

Cleocin and Zithromax are different types of antibiotics. Cleocin is a lincomycin antibiotic and Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic.

Common side effects of Cleocin include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness, and
• an increased amount of urine, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication.

Other side effects of Cleocin include:

• burning,
• itching,
• dryness,
• redness,
• oily skin,
• skin peeling, or
• other irritation of treated skin.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Cleocin including:

• severe redness, itching, or dryness of treat skin areas; or
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

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.

Cleocin (clindamycin) is an antibiotic used to treat severe acne. Cleocin T 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.

Cleocin may interact with other neuromuscular blocking agents or zithromax.

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.

Apply a thin film of Cleocin twice daily to affected area. Cleocin T may interact with zithromax topical or zithromax taken by mouth. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. The dose of Cleocin HCl for adults is 150 to 300 mg every 6 hours. For more severe infections is 300 to 450 mg every 6 hours. The dose of for pediatric patients is 8 to 16 mg/kg/day divided in three or four equal doses. For more severe infections, 16 to 20 mg/kg/day divided in three or four equal doses.

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.