Vantin vs. Zithromax

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

Vantin (cefpodoxime proxetil) and Zithromax Z-PAK (azithromycin) are antibiotics used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Vantin and Zithromax Z-PAK are different types of antibiotics. Vantin is a cephalosporin antibiotic and Zithromax Z-PAK macrolide antibiotic.

Common side effects of Vantin include:

• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• gas,
• constipation,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• stiff or tight muscles,
• back pain,
• muscle pain,
• anxiety,
• nervousness,
• feeling restless or hyperactive,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• flushing (warmth or redness under your skin),
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• strange dreams,
• nightmares,
• stuffy nose,
• dry mouth,
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips,
• diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefpodoxime,
• itching or skin rash, or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Vantin including:

• swelling of the ankles or feet,
• tiredness,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• trouble breathing,
• new signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat),
• dark urine,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• easy bruising or bleeding, or
• changes in the amount of urine.

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.

Vantin (cefpodoxime proxetil) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

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.

Vantin may interact with lithium, probenecid, methotrexate, antiviral medicines, cancer medicines, diuretics (water pills), medications that reduce stomach acid, IV antibiotics, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, or pain or arthritis medicines. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Vantin should be used only when prescribed. This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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.

The recommended dosage of Vantin is 70 mg once monthly; some patients may benefit from a dosage of 140 mg once monthly, which is administered as two consecutive subcutaneous injections of 70 mg each.

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.