Paxzen is a macrolide antibiotic that is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the United States. It treats bacterial infections by stopping the multiplication of bacteria. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about using Paxzen, including what the drug is and how it works, what infections it’s prescribed for, and how to take the medication. I’ll also list some of the side effects, drug interactions, and risks of Paxzen. Finally, I’ll tell you when you should see a doctor or healthcare professional.
Paxzen is a macrolide antibiotic that treats bacterial infections by inhibiting the production of certain proteins by bacteria. Bacteria cannot multiply without these proteins. Because of this protein inhibition, Paxzen is effective against many "atypical" bacteria, bacteria that do not respond to other antibiotics. Paxzen is a prescription medication, which means it cannot be obtained without a doctor's prescription. When prescribed in a specific dose pack, it is also known as a Z-pak. Paxzen has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infections in both children and adults. It comes in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms.
Paxzen is used to treat many bacterial infections. These include:
Community-acquired pneumonia: Community-acquired pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Paxzen is useful in treating atypical bacterial pneumonia, also known as "walking pneumonia." It may be necessary to combine it with another antibiotic, and it is not commonly used to treat pneumonia in young children or infants. According to studies, it reduces hospitalization and improves outcomes even with a shorter treatment course.
The CDC recommends Paxzen as the first line of treatment for pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae. Paxzen does not work for COVID-19 pneumonia or other viral pneumonias.
Mycobacterium avium complex infection: Paxzen is used to prevent and treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease, particularly in HIV patients.
Ear infection: Paxzen has been shown in studies to be effective in treating uncomplicated middle ear infections (otitis media) caused by bacteria in people who are allergic to first-line antibiotics.
Chlamydia: Chlamydia is an infection that is spread through sexual contact (STI). Prolonged treatment can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The CDC recommends doxycycline but also suggests paxzen as an alternative treatment.
Pharyngitis: Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Although penicillin is the first-line treatment for bacterial pharyngitis, paxzen also treats Group A strep pharyngitis and may be used in people who are allergic to other antibiotics.
Lyme disease: Paxzen is recommended by the CDC for people with early Lyme disease who cannot tolerate doxycycline, cefuroxime, or amoxicillin, though it is less effective than the other three in this case.
Paxzen, as an antibiotic, cannot treat viral infections such as the flu, COVID-19, or the common cold. Unnecessary use of this drug raises the risk of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance indicates that the medication may no longer be as effective as it once was because bacteria have developed ways to avoid the antibiotics.
Paxzen can be prescribed in various forms:
Injection: This is for patients who require initial intravenous therapy for severe infections such as community-acquired pneumonia or pelvic inflammatory disease. In most cases, it will be combined with other antibiotics.
Tablets: Paxzen tablets are typically taken once daily for one to five days. They can be taken with or without food and must be taken exactly as directed.
Liquid: Paxzen suspensions are typically available in powdered form. To achieve different concentrations, these powders are dissolved in varying fluid volumes-the pharmacist will prepare this according to your provider's instructions. Suspensions are especially beneficial for children and those who are unable to swallow pills.
Extended-release liquid: Extended-release drug forms allow for a slow release of medication into the body after a single dose. Most patients find them easier to take consistently. This may be used to treat otitis media and other infections. This is a less common form of Paxzen that can be toxic to infants.
Your provider will prescribe different Paxzen forms, dosages, and strengths for various infections, depending on the following:
For example, most healthcare providers prescribe 500 mg on day 1 and 250 mg per day on days 2-5 to treat community-acquired atypical pneumonia or bacterial pharyngitis in adults.
The dosage for different infections is usually written on the patient information leaflet that comes with the drug.
You can get more information from your healthcare provider, doctor, or pharmacist.
Antibiotics can take time to work.
On average, doctors prescribe Paxzen for 1–5 days. Other antibiotics take 7–14 days for a full course, depending on the infection being treated.
Do not take your medication for longer than your doctor prescribed, and make sure to complete your prescribed course even if you start to feel better.
An unfinished medication regimen can lead to antibiotic resistance, making the drug ineffective for future infections.
Paxzen commonly causes the following side effects:
Rare, severe side effects include:
The most common side effects in children are:
This is not an exhaustive list of potential side effects. If you have any side effects, notify your doctor right away. Paxzen should be used with caution if you have liver disease because it is eliminated by the liver. Paxzen has also been linked to symptoms of myasthenia gravis worsening or, in some cases, causing new symptoms. Inform your doctor if you have a history of torsades de pointes, QT interval prolongation, or bradyarrhythmia. Paxzen has the potential to cause or worsen QT prolongation.
The use of Paxzen in conjunction with other medications may reduce its efficacy. Similarly, Paxzen can impair the effectiveness of other medications. This is referred to as a drug interaction. Inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications such as vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products.
These are some of the drugs to which Paxzen reacts:
If there are possible drug interactions, your doctor may change your prescription, dosage, or ask you to stop using the other drugs for a period of time.
They may also choose to closely monitor you for potential side effects.
Your healthcare provider will only prescribe medications if the benefits far outweigh the risks.
For Paxzen, these are some risks to consider.
Paxzen is classified as a category B drug by the FDA, which means that it was found to be safe in animal reproduction studies.
However, because there have been no well-controlled studies in pregnant women, they advise pregnant women to use Paxzen only when absolutely necessary.
Paxzen can be passed through breastmilk and cause diarrhea, rash, and vomiting in nursing babies.
However, studies show that the amount of paxzen in breast milk is less than the standard dose used to treat children, so there is no risk to the baby.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will determine whether Paxzen is appropriate for your infection and condition.
Consult your doctor or healthcare provider if you are feeling ill and suspect a bacterial infection. Based on the results of your tests, they will determine which antibiotic to prescribe. Remember that Paxzen cannot be purchased over the counter, so you will need a doctor's prescription to obtain one. If you experience severe side effects or allergic reactions, contact your doctor right away. If you do not feel better after taking your medication for the recommended amount of time, consult your doctor or health care provider. Do not stop taking the medication without first consulting your doctor.
If you're unsure whether you need Paxzen, consult with your doctor. Did you know you can easily purchase this medication from Woodstock Family Medicine's website?
