The Z-Pak, also known the generic name azithromycin, is an antibiotic that lets you to take fewer doses and receive nearly the same benefits you would receive from traditional long-course antibiotics. If your doctor offers a long-course antibiotic, ask about this medicine. It works against several common bacterial infections, such as acne, ear infections, respiratory infections, or sexually transmitted diseases. For new mom’s, it can be a lifesaver for mastitis, an infection of the nipple that sometimes happens to nursing mothers.

Unlike traditional antibiotics, which you must take for a full three weeks, a regiment of azithromycin is complete in less than a week. Because azithromycin works faster and patients can take it just a few days, treatment compliance and patient satisfaction are much higher than with traditional antibiotics. This medication is especially helpful for those with busy lifestyles or attention disorders that make it difficult to stick to an antibiotic schedule for weeks.

Liquid or Pill Form

Azithromycin comes in suspension powder or pill form, depending on your personal preference. Unlike traditional antibiotic liquids that come in large bottles, azithromycin suspension comes in small packets for mixing into a glass of water. Doctors recommend that after you drain your water glass the first time, you should put some more water in the glass and swirl it around to pick up any excess medication that might have been missed the first time. Just as with traditional antibiotics, patients must be careful to finish the entire regiment, even if they feel better before the course is complete.

Possible Side Effects

As with any antibiotic, allergic reactions are possible. Contact your doctor or nurse practitioner immediately if you notice excessive swelling or difficulty breathing. Azithromycin can sometimes lead to less serious side effects, like nausea or stomach pain, insomnia, a mild rash, dizziness, and headaches. If your symptoms don’t go away after the first 24-hours, contact your doctor for instructions. More severe side effects like bloody diarrhea, chest pains, irregular heartbeats, and fever are rare but can occur while taking azithromycin.

Don’t take magnesium or aluminum-based antacids within two hours of azithromycin. Also avoid extended sun exposure because you will be more likely to burn.

Who Should Avoid Azithromycin

People who suffer from certain conditions can be sensitive to this medicine. If your doctor recommends azithromycin, make sure you tell him or her about any history of liver disease, kidney disease, Long QT Syndrome, heart rhythm disorders, or a history of myasthenia gravis. Your doctor can help you decide whether another antibiotic would be safer for you.

In many ways, azithromycin is similar to traditional antibiotics. It is simply another form of erythromycin that can be taken a shorter time. Different infections can require different numbers of doses, so follow your doctor’s instruction. You should feel better in just a day and be done taking your medicine after just five days.

Jessica Bosari writes about medicine and health for CNA-Nursing-Schools.com. The site offers information and advice for nursing students, such as those seeking RN to BSN programs.