Macrolides or macrolides are types of antibiotics that are useful for treating a variety of common bacterial infections, ranging from ear infections, pelvic inflammation, to pneumonia. Macrolide antibiotics are made from various types of bacteria Streptomyces and should only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Macrolides work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, so they can stop bacterial growth. These drugs are available in the form of oral medications, such as tablets, caplets, syrups, and dry syrups, as well as external medications, such as eye drops, injections, over the counter liquids, creams, and gels.
There are various bacterial infections that can be treated or prevented with the use of macrolide drugs. Some of the conditions that macrolides can treat are:
- Respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and sinusitis
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Ear infections, such as otitis media
- Tonsillitis
- Red eye or conjunctivitis caused by bacteria
- Pimple (acne vulgaris)
- Pelvic inflammation
- Bacterial infections of the genital organs, such as chancroid, gonorrhea, lymphogranuloma venereum, and urethritis
- Diarrhea or inflammation of the large intestine (colitis), due to a bacterial infection Clostridium difficile or dificile
- stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer) due to bacterial infection pylori helicopter
Precautions Before Using Macrolides
Macrolides are prescription drugs that cannot be used haphazardly. Follow your doctor's instructions while taking treatment with this medicine. Before consuming macrolides, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Do not use macrolide drugs if you are allergic to these drugs.
- Avoid using macrolides if you are taking lovastatin, midazolam, pimozide, quinidine, procainamide, saquinavir, simvastatin, terfenadine, vardenafil, or warfarin.
- Tell your doctor if you want to be immunized or vaccinated with a live vaccine, such as the typhoid vaccine, because macrolide antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulant drugs, antiseizure medications, antifungal medications, or medications for stomach disorders.
- Tell your doctor if you have an electrolyte imbalance, heart problem, such as bradycardia, coronary heart disease, or a heart rhythm disorder.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have a history of liver disease, kidney disease, infection difficile, irritable bowel syndrome, or myasthenia gravis.
- Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- If there is an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose after using a macrolide drug, contact your doctor immediately.
Macrolide Side Effects and Dangers
The following are some of the side effects that can occur due to the use of macrolide drugs:
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Exhale (fart)
- stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizzy
- Fever
- Impaired sense of smell and taste
- muscle weakness
- Dehydration
Consult a doctor if you experience the above symptoms when using macrolides. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction, such as an itchy rash, swelling of the eyelids and lips, or shortness of breath.
In addition, you need to get treatment immediately if you experience serious side effects from using macrolides, such as temporary hearing loss, jaundice, near fainting, eye pain, severe stomach pain, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Types, Trademarks and Dosage of Macrolides
Macrolide types and trademarks vary. The dose of macrolides given depends on the type and form of the drug, as well as the age and condition of the patient. Here is the explanation:
AzithromycinTrademarks: Azithromycin Dihydrate, Azomax, Aztrin, Mezatrin 250, Zarom 500, Zifin, Zithrax, Zithromax, Zitrolin, Zycin ClarithromycinTrademarks: Abbotic, Abbotic XL, Bicrolid 500, Clarolid 500, Hecobach 500, Orixal Erythromycin To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the erythromycin drug page Fidaxomycin Adult: 200 mg 2 times daily, for 10 days. Roxithromycin Adults: 300 mg once daily or 150 mg twice daily, for 5–10 days. Children 40 kg: 150 mg 2 times daily, for 5–10 days. Spiramycin To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the spiramycin drug page.