The drug "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed"? What is different about "Sumamed" from "Azithromycin"

The use of antibiotic therapy for various diseases has recently become an integral part of treatment - both children and adults. It is the drugs of this group that have become a panacea for all kinds of infections. And although the translation of the word "antibiotic" sounds like a phrase "against life" and somewhat intimidating, often treatment without it does not lead to the desired result, because it suppresses the growth of bacteria, viruses and microbes in the body. The market of pharmacology offers a huge number of drugs of a wide and narrow spectrum of effects, each of them can only affect a certain type of microorganism, so in order for the treatment to be effective, a drug for a particular disease should be selected by a specialist. That is why manufacturers of antibacterial medicines emphasize that self-medication can be dangerous to health.

When is the drug "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed" prescribed?

Indications for the appointment of these two drugs are various infections that have emerged because of the introduction into the body of microbes and bacteria, sensitive to the main component in the drug - azithromycin. It:

• Bacterial diseases of the ENT organs, such as sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis and tonsillitis;
• Infectious diseases of the respiratory system, including pneumonia and bronchitis;
• Diseases of the skin and soft tissues caused by infection;
• Inflammatory lesions of pelvic organs of an infectious origin;
• Diseases transmitted through sexual contact, such as chlamydia, cervicitis and urethritis.

A bit of history

Many are interested in the difference between "Sumamed" and "Azithromycin", if both the indications and the active component of the drug are identical? To get an answer, you need to first look at the history of the origin of these medicines. So, the medicament "Sumamed", the main component of which is the substance azithromycin, was developed by the pharmacists of the well-known Croatian company "Pliva". This event occurred in 1980, the medicine was immediately patented and was called the drug "Sumamed". While the name "Azithromycin" is unofficial, but used throughout the world for many analogs of this antibiotic.

What is the difference?

The main difference between these medicines is that the patented preparation necessarily passes all the clinical studies and tests, while the so-called generics are based on the research of the original. Hence the cost of the drugs: the original, as a rule, costs 3-4 times more. It follows that the cheaper analogue of Sumamed is Azithromycin. The fact is that the production of generics is much cheaper for producers, because they are just a copy, and much less money is spent on their development.

What to choose: the drug "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed"

Reviews of doctors and patients are reduced to the common opinion that both the original and analogues have the same effect and effectiveness. Both drugs have a strong bactericidal activity and affect the causative agents of syphilis and gonorrhea, legionella, streptococcus, chlamydia. Reviews of patients who have experienced the effects of these drugs, note that due to different forms of release it is very convenient to use, both for children and adults. So, for example, the drug "Sumamed" has two forms: tablets and suspension, and its analog "Azithromycin" is in capsules, tablets and syrup. Such a variety makes it possible to choose a suitable dosage and method of administration. Also, a huge number of people note that the medicines Sumamed and Azithromycin, whose difference is often only in value, copes with their task equally well. And after the first day of use, you can feel relief, expressed in lowering the temperature and suppressing the symptoms of the disease. Doctors, for the most part, prescribe exactly the medicine "Sumamed", and the choice, most likely, depends on the clinical trials of the drug.

Rules of appointment

Regardless of which particular antibiotic was prescribed (the drug "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed"), you should follow the doctor's recommended intake schedule. In no case can not make an independent decision on taking the drug, it can only harm the body. Each of the drugs and forms of release has its own dosage in relation to the age and complexity of the disease. Without fail, before the start of treatment, the patient must undergo laboratory tests to determine the sensitivity of the bacteria to the active ingredient. However, the lack of such an analysis is that it takes several days to conduct it. Therefore, the doctor, in order not to miss the time and not to delay the disease to serious complications, relying on his experience, can prescribe this or that antibiotic. Which one to choose the drug - "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed" - is a personal matter. And many prefer a cheaper drug.

Rules of admission

Analogue "Sumamed" - "Azithromycin", like the original, should be taken one hour before eating or two hours after it. It is very important to comply with this simple rule, because food reduces the effect of these medications. The plus of treatment with these antibiotics is that they need to be taken only once a day, at the dose prescribed by the doctor. Often, the regimen is prescribed individually, but there are recommended doses: adults of 500 mg, children are calculated based on body weight - from 25 to 50 kg of 10 mg per kg, if the weight exceeds 50 kg, the recommended dose for adults. For babies, whose weight does not reach 25 kg, a suspension or syrup is prescribed, the calculation of milligrams is also based on the weight of the child.

A little bit about side effects

As with many medications, antibiotics have their side effects. And, as a rule, it is because of them that most people are so afraid of their use. And partly the fear is justified, because antibiotic therapy has a detrimental effect on the body, whether it is the drug "Azithromycin" or "Sumamed". Manufacturers of these medicines primarily note the effect on the intestinal microflora, the disruption of which is manifested in nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, frustration and flatulence. Sometimes side effects are manifested in skin rashes, the so-called hives.

Which drug is best to choose?

It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, since the active component of the drugs, the action, the rules of administration, the doses and even the side effects are identical. The opinions of patients and doctors also do not help to solve this dilemma, the main criterion of choice can only be that these drugs have different costs and cheaper means "Azithromycin". "Sumamed", whose price is much higher, has only one advantage - the clinical trials that were conducted, which were mentioned earlier. However, the quality and the result of using both methods are confirmed in practice, and there are practically no examples when the medicines failed to cope with the task. And the possible side effects that are described in the instructions for these antibiotics are an integral part of the treatment. That is why the choice and preference is a private matter for every patient, because this is his health and his finances.