Introduction
Citromax® (also Zithromax) is the trade name of a drug. The active ingredient it contains is the antibiotic azithromycin. This is effective against various bacterial infections.
Citromax® is available only on prescription and can only be prescribed by a doctor. On the market are Citromax® film-coated tablets with different dosages (250mg, 500mg and 600mg azithromycin). The active ingredient azithromycin is also available as eye drops and as an infusion solution.
Active substance
The active ingredient contained in Citromax®, azithromycin, has an antibacterial effect. Besides azithromycin, the active ingredients erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and many more belong to the group of macrolide antibiotics. These inhibit the proliferation of bacteria by inhibiting protein synthesis in the bacteria.
The human protein synthesis is not attacked, as this is done in human cells by different enzymes than in bacterial cells. Since macrolides such as Citromax® only inhibit bacterial growth but do not kill the bacteria, this is referred to as a bacteriostatic effect. Here, macrolides are only effective against dividing bacteria, whereas they are ineffective against resting bacteria. In addition to this direct bacteriostatic effect, there is evidence of macrolides influencing the immune system. This effect already occurs in low doses and has a positive effect especially in chronic inflammations.
Fields of application
Citromax® is effective against a large number of bacteria and is therefore one of the broad spectrum antibiotics. I.e. it is usually applied inital, as long as the exact pathogen has not yet been found (calculated antibiotic therapy).
If the pathogen is known, a switch to an antibiotic specifically directed against this pathogen should be made. This can prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to certain antibiotics (specific antibiotic therapy). In particular, macrolides are used for penicillin allergy and infections with staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci.
Macrolides are also effective against pathogens that attack the respiratory tract (haemophilus influenza) and against bacteria that multiply within cells (legionella, chlamydia, mycoplasma). In particular Citromax®, or the antibiotic azithromycin in the form of tablets or as an infusion solution in the inpatient area, is considered the drug of first choice for pneumonia in the home environment. Azithromycin is also prescribed for certain sexually transmitted diseases (gonnorrhoea, infection with Chlamydia trachomatis). Citromax® is also effective against certain atypical mycobacteria (e.g. Mycobacterium avium).
Common diseases that can be treated with Citromax® are
- Respiratory infections: Sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses), pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), otitis (inflammation of the ear), tonsillitis (tonsillitis), pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
- Infections of skin and soft tissue
- Infections caused by Chlamydia in the genital area (inflammation of the urethra or cervix)
- Inflammation in the eye area: purulent conjunctivitis
Consumption of Citromax
The tablets should be taken unchewed. This can be done together with the meal. Only the simultaneous intake of medication to reduce the production of stomach acid (antacids) should be avoided.
A break of 60-120 minutes between taking the medication is recommended. The average duration of the intake is three to five days, whereby once daily intake is sufficient. In children, the dose depends on body weight.
