{"id":59156,"date":"2023-07-05T10:27:12","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T14:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59156"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:38:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:38:33","slug":"azithromycin-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/azithromycin-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Azithromycin (Zithromax) alternatives: What can I take instead of azithromycin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Azithromycin<\/span><\/a>, generic for the brand name prescription-only <\/span>Zithromax<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Zithromax Z-Pak<\/span><\/a>, is a member of the <\/span>macrolide<\/span><\/a> class of antibiotics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections including <\/span>middle ear infections<\/span><\/a> (otitis media), <\/span>strep throat<\/span><\/a>, community-acquired <\/span>bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/a>, upper respiratory infections such as <\/span>sinusitis<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>tonsillitis<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>eye infections<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>skin infections<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>genital chancroid ulcers<\/span><\/a> in men, and <\/span>chlamydia infections<\/span><\/a> in men and women. Azithromycin is available in several dosage forms–film-coated tablets, capsules, oral suspension, intravenous injection, granules for suspension, and as an ophthalmic solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Azithromycin is approved for use in adults and children as young as two months old. The antibiotic should not be used if there is a known allergy to azithromycin, erythromycin, or any other macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), or in those with a history of liver problems associated with previous use of azithromycin. There are no adequate clinical studies in pregnant women, therefore azithromycin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known whether azithromycin is excreted in human milk so caution should be exercised when azithromycin is administered to nursing women<\/span><\/p>\n

Although azithromycin is considered safe and effective, there are side effects associated with the use of this antibiotic. <\/span> are primarily of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, gastritis, and abdominal pain. Although rare, <\/span> include liver problems, jaundice, swollen pancreas, <\/span>Clostridium difficile-<\/span><\/i>associated diarrhea, heart rhythm problems, and life-threatening allergic reactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

While azithromycin is an effective treatment for many, it may not be the best option for everyone. For various reasons, such as cost, side effect profile, or hypersensitivity to the active or inactive ingredients, an alternative antimicrobial may be necessary. Continue reading to learn more about azithromycin alternatives, their possible side effects, and other important information. <\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of azithromycin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Azithromycin belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics. Other class members include <\/span>clarithromycin<\/span><\/a> (generic for the brand name Biaxin) and <\/span>erythromycin<\/span><\/a> (available in many brand names). These other class members might be considered if azithromycin is unavailable. Macrolide antibiotics typically target bacteria that infect the lungs, skin, or soft tissues, but fortunately there are other classes of antibacterials that work well against the same bacteria that cause these infections. These optional classes include <\/span>penicillins<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>cephalosporins<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>tetracyclines<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>sulfonamides<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>quinolones<\/span><\/a>. The chart below highlights alternatives to azithromycin based on the common bacterial infections each is approved to treat. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Zithromax (azithromycin) alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nOral Dosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zithromax<\/span><\/a> (azithromycin)<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Otitis media <\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinusitis <\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tonsillitis <\/span><\/li>\n
  • Eye infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chancroid ulcers<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 500 mg once on day 1, then 250 mg every 24 hours for 4 days; for chlamydial and chancroid infections 1000 mg as a single dose<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Zithromax coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Azithromycin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSee Zithromax Uses<\/span><\/td>\nSee Zithromax Oral Dosage<\/span><\/td>\nAzithromycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clarithromycin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tonsillitis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Clarithromycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erythromycin base<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chancroid ulcers<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chancroid<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 1000 mg per day in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based <\/span><\/td>\n

Erythromycin base coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amoxicillin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinusitis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Otitis media<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 250 to 500 mg every 8 hours for 10 days <\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Amoxicillin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Augmentin<\/span><\/a> (amoxicillin and clavulanate)<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinusitis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Otitis media<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 500 mg\/125 mg to 875 mg\/125 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Augmentin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cefaclor<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Otitis media<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 250 to 500 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Cefaclor coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cephalexin<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 1000 to 4000 mg per day in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Cephalexin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tetracycline<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 1000 to 2000 mg per day in divided dose 2 to 4 times daily<\/span><\/p>\n

Children over 8 years of age: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Tetracycline coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Doxycycline<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinusitis <\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 100 mg per day; for bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, and chlamydia 100 mg every 12 hours for at least 5 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Children over 8 years of age: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Doxycycline coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bactrim<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

(sulfamethox-azole and trimethoprim)<\/span><\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 800 mg\/160 mg twice daily<\/span><\/p>\n

Children 2 months and older: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Bactrim coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ciprofloxacin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chancroid ulcers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 250 to 750 mg every 12 hours; for chancroid infections 500 mg every 12 hours for 3 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Ciprofloxacin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levofloxacin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Skin infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sinusitis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Chlamydia infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 250 to 750 mg once-daily for 5 to 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n

Children 1 month and older: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Levofloxacin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clindamycin<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Bacterial infections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Strep throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Adults: for most bacterial infections 150 to 450 mg every 6 to 12 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Children: dosing is weight based<\/span><\/td>\n

Clindamycin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to azithromycin<\/span><\/h3>\n