azithromycin (Zithromax) is a very powerful, widely used antibiotic used for many conditions. It is used in combination with other drugs as preventive treatment against both toxoplasmosis and MAC. Azithromycin is also used for treating cryptosporidiosis. Recent Public Health Service recommendations suggest either clarithromycin or azithromycin as the first line treatment for MAC, along with at least one other drug, usually ethambutol and one of the following: ciprofloxacin or rifabutin.

Azithromycin can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea, as well as dizziness and sensitivity to sunlight. A possible side effect of azithromycin can be hearing loss. Make sure your doctor is aware of any medications and any over the counter remedies that you are taking before you start Zithromax. You may need a dose adjustment or not be able to take the drug at all if you have certain heart, kidney or liver conditions. Be sure your doctor and other health care providers know if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Let them knopw if you are breast feeding as well before taking Zithromax.

To treat toxoplasmosis, azithromycin is used in combination with pyrimethamine at an initial dose of 1000 mg followed by 500 mg per day. Azithromycin used alone has been associated with early relapse. To treat chlamydia, azithromycin is given in a single 1000 mg oral dose.

To treat MAC, Azithromycin 500-600 mg once daily plus ethambutol 15 mg/kg once daily is used. Maintenance treatment for MAC is necessary. Maintenance treatment means you keep taking the drug to control an infection so that you don't become ill. Azithromycin has good bioavailability, so a single dose can be effective against some infections.

Medications that can help reduce the symptoms of nausea include Compazine, Phenergan, and Reglan. Nutrition strategies such as eating dry salted crackers and not lying down right after you eat can help with stomach upset and nausea. Aspirin or pain killers may help with headache. Always be very careful of the amount of acetaminophen (like Tylenol) that you are taking, or that is contained in any other prescription or over the counter remedies. Mixing acetaminophen and alcohol can cause serious damage to your liver - possibly even a fatal overdose.