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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Z-pack Taken For Acute Pharyngitis
Question: I was prescribed z pack for acute pharyngitis and have taken treatment for 3 days still have 2 days left. Still coughing. Not as much but still have green phlem. I also am taking Claritin. Still if the phlem is green it means I still have a infection. Do I need to take another round of z pack or wait until I take the full course.
Brief Answer:
About Z pack
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Azithromycin, which is the antibiotic in Z-pack, is only given for 5 days because it lasts in your system for the same duration as if you took an antibiotic for 10 days. So it is still early to see full resolution of your symptoms.
If the acute pharyngitis is viral (such as if the rapid strep test from a throat swab was negative), then no antibiotic is going to help.
Discolored mucus can be from infection or inflammation. If you are feeling worse with a higher fever, then do let your doctor know this. Otherwise, stay the course.
I hope you feel better soon.
About Z pack
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Azithromycin, which is the antibiotic in Z-pack, is only given for 5 days because it lasts in your system for the same duration as if you took an antibiotic for 10 days. So it is still early to see full resolution of your symptoms.
If the acute pharyngitis is viral (such as if the rapid strep test from a throat swab was negative), then no antibiotic is going to help.
Discolored mucus can be from infection or inflammation. If you are feeling worse with a higher fever, then do let your doctor know this. Otherwise, stay the course.
I hope you feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The Doctor I went to never took a strep test. He said if the Zpac has a positive affect then it will do its job. He diagnosed my condition as Acute Phyrngitis due to non specific organisms. I asked him if he should take a strep test and he said no. I do not have a fever. However I'm up nites and sometimes during the day my throat bites and I cough to get up the mucus. I comes up green.
Is there anything else over the counter I can take having high blood pressure that I can take for my throat other than Robitussin that will do a better job to get up the phelm from my throat. I don't want to get Bronchitis or Phemunia. I am 66 years old and my resistance can be low.
Is there anything else over the counter I can take having high blood pressure that I can take for my throat other than Robitussin that will do a better job to get up the phelm from my throat. I don't want to get Bronchitis or Phemunia. I am 66 years old and my resistance can be low.
Brief Answer:
Guaifenesin + water
Detailed Answer:
Guaifenesin, which is the ingredient in regular Robitussin, is a mucolytic. It works best if you drink a lot of water as it draws water to the thick secretions and thins them. So continue with the Robitussin, or switch to Mucinex (the kind with only guaifenesin in it).
Drink hot teas and soups as this might help a bit.
The Z-pack should help protect you from bacterial pneumonia.
Usually it is best to get a throat swab so you know what you are dealing with before giving an antibiotic. But perhaps the doctor was busy and figured it would be best for you to have an antibiotic anyway if you have a history of lowered immune function.
Guaifenesin + water
Detailed Answer:
Guaifenesin, which is the ingredient in regular Robitussin, is a mucolytic. It works best if you drink a lot of water as it draws water to the thick secretions and thins them. So continue with the Robitussin, or switch to Mucinex (the kind with only guaifenesin in it).
Drink hot teas and soups as this might help a bit.
The Z-pack should help protect you from bacterial pneumonia.
Usually it is best to get a throat swab so you know what you are dealing with before giving an antibiotic. But perhaps the doctor was busy and figured it would be best for you to have an antibiotic anyway if you have a history of lowered immune function.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If I'm not better by Friday I will ask for a appointment to get a throat swab to know what is actually is. I hope he wont get angry at me for asking.
Brief Answer:
Saline irrigation might help if there is post nasal drainage.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, if your throat continues to be painful and you are feeling overall poorly, then do go ahead. Azithromycin will usually cover Strep quite well though, so if you have strep, it should be getting eliminated by this antibiotic. If it is a virus that is causing your symptoms, it won't be helped though.
Another thing to try - If you feel there is drainage going down the back of your throat from your sinuses, consider using saline nasal irrigation, such as with a nettipot, or with a prepared saline spray such as Simply Saline.
Saline irrigation might help if there is post nasal drainage.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, if your throat continues to be painful and you are feeling overall poorly, then do go ahead. Azithromycin will usually cover Strep quite well though, so if you have strep, it should be getting eliminated by this antibiotic. If it is a virus that is causing your symptoms, it won't be helped though.
Another thing to try - If you feel there is drainage going down the back of your throat from your sinuses, consider using saline nasal irrigation, such as with a nettipot, or with a prepared saline spray such as Simply Saline.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your help
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Good luck, and hope you feel better soon.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Good luck, and hope you feel better soon.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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