29.03.2024

Clarithromycin and Azithromycin, the choice of drug

Two drugs are aimed at treating the same diseases. But it is believed that azithromycin causes fewer side effects than clarithromycin. Although they belong to the same group. It can be taken by children from 5 years old and in some cases even by pregnant women, although doctors often hedge and prescribe other, more gentle means.

The course of treatment with clarithromycin is somewhat longer than with the first remedy. In addition, it is considered more effective for the treatment of Helicobacter, therefore, with diseases of the stomach and duodenum, doctors often prescribe it.

Azithromycin copes well with streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and other similar microorganisms, so experts often use it to treat diseases caused by these microorganisms.

Antibiotic therapy is often prescribed to patients when other drugs do not cope with the disease. Drugs such as Clarithromycin and Azithromycin can quickly and effectively cope with many bacterial infections. They have some similarities with each other, but there are differences.

Clarithromycin

The medicine is sold in the form of capsules or tablets. In the package you can buy 7, 10 or 14 pieces, both one and the other. The composition of the drug contains the main active component clarithromycin, due to which a positive result is achieved. In addition to it, the composition includes auxiliary substances such as starch, sodium lauryl sulfate, low molecular weight PVP, colloidal silicon dioxide and MCC. The compositions of tablets and capsules slightly differ precisely in the number and composition of auxiliary components.

Clarithromycin

The drug is indicated in the presence of the following pathological conditions:

  • Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract.
  • Infections of ENT organs.
  • Diseases caused by microbes.
  • Skin infections.
  • The presence of Helicobacter in humans.

There are a number of contraindications in which the use of the medicine is prohibited. These include:

  1. Pregnancy.
  2. Natural feeding.
  3. Sensitivity to components.
  4. Children’s age up to 12 years.
  5. Severe liver and kidney disease.
  6. Concomitant use of drugs such as cisapride, ergot derivatives, pimozide and terfenadine.

When taking this antibiotic, some patients note the appearance of unpleasant side effects. They usually go away after treatment. Among them:

  • Visual impairment.
  • Bloating, nausea.
  • Violation of the stool.
  • Noise in ears.
  • Allergic manifestations.
  • Headache.

In some cases, the emergence of resistance to microorganisms. This phenomenon usually occurs with prolonged or improper use of drugs.

An antibiotic is taken orally with a sufficient amount of water. In this case, the course of treatment usually lasts from a week to two weeks. Dosage is regulated by the attending physician.

The drug is sold from pharmacies by prescription. The approximate cost varies within 150 rubles per package. The amount of active ingredient on sale can be found in 250 or 500 mg.

Azithromycin

The medicine refers to antibacterial agents. Sold in pharmacies in the form of tablets or powder for the preparation of a solution (suspension). They can be found on sale in 3 or 6 pieces. There is also a format in the form of capsules of 6 pieces per pack. The powder is sold at 20 grams with different contents of the active component.

Azithromycin

The main active ingredient in the composition is azithromycin dihydrate. It is due to it that the desired result is achieved. The dosage in tablets is available in 250 or 500 mg. In addition to the main substance, the composition includes auxiliary substances such as macrogol, starch, lactose, croscarmellose sodium, potassium polacrilin, hypromellose, silicon dioxide, as well as additives E172 and E171.

The powder has either 15, 30, or 75 mg of the main active substance per gram of powder. The content of additional substances may vary slightly, depending on the format of the sale of the drug.

The drug is indicated in the presence of the following pathologies:

  • Acute bronchitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis.
  • Tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
  • Severe acne.
  • Chlamydia infections.
  • Scarlet fever.
  • Helicobacter.
  • Borreliosis

There are contraindications in which it is not recommended to take this antibiotic. These include:

  1. Children’s age at which the weight of the child does not reach 5 kg (for the format in the form of a suspension).
  2. Children’s age when the weight of the child is less than 45 kg (for the form of tablets).
  3. Severe liver and kidney disease.
  4. Period of pregnancy.
  5. Breast-feeding.

In some cases, patients note the appearance of side effects. Among them, the most common are:

  • Dry mucous membranes.
  • Anorexia.
  • Allergic manifestations.
  • Dizziness, headache.
  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Visual impairment.
  • Sensation of a rush of blood to the face.
  • Stomach ache.
  • Violations of the stool.
  • Joint pain.

The drug is taken orally with water. In the treatment of children, the powder from which the suspension is made (for young children) is used. Children weighing more than 45 kg can already take other drug formats.

The medicine can be found in pharmacies and purchased by prescription. The approximate cost varies within 150 rubles per pack of tablets.

Drug similarities

Both that, and another means are directed on treatment of identical pathologies. They are antibiotics and quite successfully treat many infections caused by bacteria.

On sale you can find both drugs in the same formats. Their cost is about the same.

Comparison and differences

Both drugs are antibiotics, but they contain different active substances. In addition, Azithromycin can be purchased in powder form for suspension, while Clarithromycin is sold only in capsule or tablet form. They can be bought for 10, 7 or 14 pieces. And the first is sold in tablets of 3 or 6 pieces, in capsules – 6 pieces. The composition of the auxiliary components is also different.

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