Like many kids, I was plagued with regular strep throat infections. And, like some kids, my penicillin allergy prevented me from taking the first-line antibiotics to treat those illnesses. So, like many—probably too many—kids and adults, I got Z-Pack antibiotics. Now, decades later, I’m sad to say that basically never happens. Show
Unlike other antibiotics that were usually difficult for me to take as a kid and required multiple doses a day for 10 days or more, Z-Packs only required a breezy five-day course of small, often pink pills. When I got a Z-Pack, I wasn't exactly happy, but I felt like the end to my misery was just a few days away. It was a solution—and I knew relief would come relatively quickly. Z-Pack antibiotics, we were told, were safe and effective at treating approximately a billion different conditions. So, what happened to Z-Packs? And why am I stuck with long, boring courses of other antibiotics these days instead? As it turns out, there are some pretty good reasons. Wait, remind me what Z-Packs are?A Z-Pack (also called a Z-Pak, Zmax, or Zithromax) is literally just azithromycin, a standard antibiotic introduced in 1992, formulated in a package of six pills, which are taken over five days. That short time commitment was a huge part of their appeal. Other antibiotics may require multiple doses a day for 10 or 14 days at a time, Tara Vijayan, M.D., assistant clinical professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, tells SELF. “The Z-Pack was a nice defined course and relatively short,” she says. “It made people feel like they can do this; they can complete their course and they’ll be done with it.” Plus, the ones I took were usually hot pink and came in a blister pack rather than a bottle—factors that mattered a lot to a sick and miserable 8-year-old me. They were “cheap, easy, cute, and they had a little marketing zing,” Neha Vyas, M.D., a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. And, Dr. Vyas says, they’re indicated for a bunch of different health issues (including skin infections, sinus infections, pharyngitis, and gonorrhea), which made them an appealing option when the first-line treatments weren’t available. For instance, before azithromycin, if you had a penicillin allergy and needed an antibiotic for a case of strep throat, your only option was likely a cephalosporin antibiotic, which still has some cross-reactivity with penicillin allergies, Dr. Vyas explains. So, if there were any worries about allergies, a Z-Pack was an obvious, nearly all-purpose choice. So, what happened to Z-Packs?To be clear, nothing really happened to Z-Packs specifically, Dr. Vyas says. They’re still around and still frequently prescribed to treat a few specific conditions. But lots of things happened around Z-Packs over the last several years that made doctors realize that their prescribing practices weren’t quite right. In fact, in many ways, the rise and fall of the Z-Pack is simply a reflection of the way our understanding of antibiotics as a whole has developed in the past decade. We now know so much more about which antibiotics are best used for which illnesses, how the overuse (and misuse) of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, and the what the optimal time course is for various antibiotics. All of this resulted in Z-Packs becoming a bit less unique and less suited for some common illnesses. Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is one type of sore throat that can be treated. It isn't handled in the same way as sore throats caused by colds and other viruses, so your doctor
will likely do what’s called a “rapid strep test” to be sure it's strep If the test is positive (meaning you or your child has it), they’ll probably recommend: This class of drugs is able to kill the group A
Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat. They will work only on bacteria. They have no effect on sore throats caused by viruses. Antibiotics can: Doctors most often prescribe
penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil) to treat strep throat. They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria. Kids or adults who are allergic to penicillin may be able to take one of these antibiotics instead: Your child will take antibiotics by mouth one to three times each day. Sometimes doctors give this medicine as a shot. Side effects Antibiotics sometimes cause side effects, such as:
Usually these side effects are mild. They should stop once your child finishes the medicine. If they are severe or persist, then call your doctor. People sometimes have an allergy to antibiotics, though it is rare. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
Call your doctor right away if your child has these symptoms. How long do I take them? Most antibiotic treatments for strep throat last about 10 days. Kids usually feel better a day or two after they start them. Once they've been on these drugs for about 24 hours, they're no longer contagious and can go back to school. Even after kids start to feel better, they should finish all their pills. You can leave some bacteria alive if you stop too soon. If strep is not fully treated, it might lead to complications such as: When people stop
taking antibiotics too soon, the bacteria that cause strep can become resistant to the medication. That means another case of strep would be much harder to control. Until the antibiotics start to work, these home treatments can help you or your child feel better: Steer clear of anything that might bother your throat, like cigarette smoke, paint fumes, or cleaning products. Does azithromycin work on strep throat?Strep throat: Azithromycin is FDA-approved to treat strep throat (also known as streptococcal pharyngitis). If you are allergic to penicillin antibiotics, which are usually the first choice of treatment for this infection, a Z-Pak may be a good option.
How much azithromycin will cure strep throat?Z-Pak treatment for adults with strep throat is a five-day regimen of 500 mg (two 250-mg tablets) on the first day, followed by one 250-mg tablet a day for the remaining four days. For the best results: Unless recommended otherwise by your provider, you can take the pills with or without food.
How long after starting azithromycin should I feel better?For most infections, you should feel better within a few days. It's very important that you keep taking azithromycin until your course is finished. Do this even if you feel better. It'll help stop the infection coming back.
How long after taking antibiotics does strep clear up?Most people start to feel better 24 hours after taking antibiotics. Most people who do not take antibiotics feel better within three to five days. Children may return to school and adults to work 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
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How long does azithromycin take to work for strep throat
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