What is Sumamed?
Sumamed injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Sumamed belongs to the class of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, Sumamed will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. Sumamed injection may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.
Sumamed is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, Sumamed is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
- Trachoma (treatment).
Sumamed indications
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Sumamed Tablets and other antibacterial drugs, Sumamed Tablets should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Sumamed Tablets are a macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below.
Mycobacterial Infections
Prophylaxis of Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) Disease
Sumamed Tablets, taken alone or in combination with rifabutin at its approved dose, are indicated for the prevention of disseminated MAC disease in persons with advanced HIV infection.
Treatment of Disseminated MAC Disease
Sumamed Tablets, taken in combination with ethambutol, are indicated for the treatment of disseminated MAC infections in persons with advanced HIV infection.
How should I use Sumamed?
Use Sumamed drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Sumamed drops. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Sumamed drops is for use in the eye only. Do not swallow it.
- Wash your hands immediately before you use Sumamed drops.
- To use Sumamed drops, turn the bottle upside down and shake once before each use. Remove the cap while the bottle is still upside down. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Gently squeeze the bottle to drop the medicine into the pouch, then gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
- If a drop does not come out of the bottle when using your dose, repeat these steps.
- To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
- Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Sumamed drops. Take care of your contact lenses as directed by the manufacturer. Check with your doctor before you use them.
- To clear up your infection completely, use Sumamed drops for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Sumamed drops, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sumamed drops.
Uses of Sumamed in details
Use: Labeled Indications
Oral, IV:
Chancroid: Treatment of genital ulcer disease (in men) due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute exacerbation: Treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
Mycobacterium avium complex: Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in patients with advanced HIV infection; treatment of disseminated MAC (in combination with ethambutol) in patients with advanced HIV infection
Otitis media, acute: Treatment of acute otitis media due to H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, or S. pneumoniae
Pneumonia, community-acquired: Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Legionella pneumophila, M. catarrhalis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or S. pneumoniae
Skin and skin structure infection, uncomplicated: Treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae
Streptococcal pharyngitis (group A): Treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis due to S. pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy
Urethritis/cervicitis: Treatment of urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Off Label Uses
Acne vulgaris
Data from controlled trials support the use of Sumamed in the treatment of acne vulgaris in adults with moderate to severe acne.
Based on the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris, Sumamed, in combination with topical therapy, may be considered as a treatment option for moderate and severe acne and forms of inflammatory acne that are resistant to topical treatments. However, its use should be limited to patients who cannot receive a tetracycline (ie, pregnant women). Concomitant topical therapy with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid should be administered with systemic antibiotic therapy (eg, Sumamed) and continued for maintenance after the antibiotic course is completed.
Babesiosis
Data from a prospective, nonblinded, randomized trial in patients with non-life-threatening babesiosis, support the use of Sumamed (in combination with atovaquone) for the treatment of this condition.
Based on the CDC Yellow Book, the ACG guideline for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute diarrheal infections in adults, and the IDSA practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea, Sumamed is effective and recommended treatment for patients with travelers' diarrhea. Due to increased levels of resistance to fluoroquinolones, Sumamed may be a recommended first-line treatment, especially in regions with a high prevalence of Campylobacter (eg, Southeast Asia, India) or in geographical areas with suspected fluoroquinolone-resistant pathogens or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
Sumamed description
Each film-coated tablet contains Azithromycin dihydrate equivalent to Sumamed 500 mg.
Sumamed is a nitrogen-containing macrolide or azalide with actions and uses similar to those of erythromycin. Sumamed is derived from erythromycin. However, it differs chemically from erythromycin in that a methyl-substituted nitrogen atom is incorporated into the lactone ring.
Sumamed dosage
Not for pediatric use.
For pediatric patients, please refer to the INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections of the prescribing information for Sumamed for oral suspension 100 mg/5 mL and 200 mg/5 mL bottles.
Sumamed Tablets may be taken without regard to food. However, increased tolerability has been observed when tablets are taken with food.
Mycobacterial Infections
Prevention of Disseminated MAC Infections
The recommended dose of Sumamed Tablets for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease is: 1200 mg taken once weekly. This dose of Sumamed Tablets may be combined with the approved dosage regimen of rifabutin.
Treatment of Disseminated MAC Infections
Sumamed Tablets should be taken at a daily dose of 600 mg, in combination with ethambutol at the recommended daily dose of 15 mg/kg. Other antimycobacterial drugs that have shown in vitro activity against MAC may be added to the regimen of Sumamed plus ethambutol at the discretion of the physician or health care provider.
Sumamed interactions
See also:
What other drugs will affect Sumamed?
Antacids: In a pharmacokinetic study investigating the effects of simultaneous administration of antacid with Sumamed, no effects on overall bioavailability was seen although peak serum concentrations were reduced by up to 30%. In patients receiving both Sumamed and antacids, the drug should not be taken simultaneously.
Carbamazepine: In a pharmacokinetic interaction study in healthy volunteers, no significant effect was observed on the plasma levels of carbamazepine or its active metabolite in patients receiving concomitant Sumamed.
Cimetidine: A single dose of cimetidine administered 2 hrs before Sumamed had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of Sumamed.
Cyclosporin: In the absence of conclusive data from pharmacokinetics or clinical studies investigating potential interaction between Sumamed and cyclosporin, caution should be exercised before concurrent administration of these drugs. If co-administration of these drugs is necessary, cyclosporin levels should be monitored and the dose adjusted accordingly.
Digoxin: Some of the macrolide antibiotics have been reported to impair the metabolism of digoxin (in the gut) in some patients. Therefore, in patients receiving concomitant Sumamed and digoxin, the possibility of raised digoxin levels should be bourne in mind, and digoxin levels monitored.
Ergot Derivatives: Because of the theoretical possibility of ergotism, Sumamed and ergot derivatives should not be co-administered.
Methylprednisolone: In a pharmacokinetic interaction study in healthy volunteers, Sumamed had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone.
Terfenadine: Pharmacokinetic studies have reported no evidence of an interaction between Sumamed and terfenadine. There have been rare cases reported where the possibility of such an interaction could not be entirely excluded; however, there was no specific evidence that such an interaction had occured.
Theophylline: There is no evidence of any pharmacokinetic interaction when Sumamed and theophylline are co-administered in healthy volunteers.
Coumarin-TypeOral Anticoagulants:
In a pharmacodynamic interaction study, Sumamed did not alter the anticoagulant effect of a single dose warfarin 15 mg administered to healthy volunteers. There have been reports received in the post-marketing period of potentiated anticoagulant subsequent to co-administration of Sumamed and coumarin-type oral anticoagulants. Although a causal relationship has not been established, consideration should be given to the frequency of monitoring prothrombin time when Sumamed is used in patients receiving coumarin-type oral anticoagulants.
Zidovudine: Single 1000 mg doses, and multiple 1200 mg or 600 mg doses of Sumamed did not affect the plasma pharmacokinetics or urinary excretion of zidovudine or its glucuronide metabolite. However, administration of Sumamed increased the concentrations of phosphorylated zidovudine, the clinically active metabolite, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear, but it may be of benefit to patients.
Didanosine: Co-administration of daily doses of Sumamed 1200 mg with didanosine in 6 subjects did not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of didanosine as compared with placebo.
Rifabutin: Co-administration of Sumamed and rifabutin did not affect the serum concentrations of either drug. Neutropenia was observed in subjects receiving concomitant treatment of Sumamed and rifabutin. Although neutropenia has been associated with the use of rifabutin, a causal relationship to combination with Sumamed has not been established.
Sumamed side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Sumamed?
Applies to Sumamed ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Sumamed ophthalmic. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
Major Side Effects
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Sumamed ophthalmic:
Less common:
- Burning, redness, stinging, or other eye irritation
- Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blurred vision
- cough
- decreased vision
- discharge from the eye
- fever
- headache
- hives or welts
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- skin rash
- stuffy or runny nose
- swelling of the face
- swelling or puffiness of the eyes
- tightness of the chest or wheezing
Minor Side Effects
Some of the side effects that can occur with Sumamed ophthalmic may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
Rare
- Change in taste
- dry eyes
- loss of taste
Sumamed contraindications
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Sumamed?
Hypersensitivity
Sumamed Tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Sumamed, erythromycin, any macrolide, or ketolide drug.
Hepatic Dysfunction
Sumamed Tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of Sumamed.
Active ingredient matches for Sumamed:
Azithromycin in Bosnia & Herzegowina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia (Hrvatska), Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia.
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Capsule; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Injectable; Subcutaneous; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
| Tablet, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 125 mg | |
| Tablet, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
| Sumamed 250 mg - 6 Tablets | $ 33.30 |
| Sumamed 500 mg - 3 Tablets | $ 41.60 |
| Sumamed Forte 200mg/5ml 30ml - 1 Suspension | $ 21.60 |
| Sumamed forte 200mg/5ml-37.5ml - 1 Suspension | $ 20.80 |
| Capsules; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Injectable; Injection; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
| Tablets, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 125 mg | |
| Tablets, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
List of Sumamed substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Sumamecin | |
| Capsules; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Sumamed 100 mg/5 ml (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed 100 mg/ml (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed 1200 (Serbia) | |
| Sumamed 1200 XL (Serbia) | |
| Sumamed 125 (Serbia) | |
| Sumamed 250 mg (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed 500 (Serbia) | |
| Sumamed 500 mg (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed Forte (Bulgaria, Croatia (Hrvatska), Estonia) | |
| Sumamed forte 200 mg/5 ml (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed S (Slovenia) | |
| Sumamed S 500 mg (Hungary) | |
| Sumamed STD (Czech Republic) | |
| Sumamox (Russian Federation) | |
| Capsule; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Tablet, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
| Capsules; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Tablets, Film-Coated; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | |
| Sumazid | |
| Capsule; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Capsules; Oral; Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | |
| Sumir (Argentina) | |
| Superazi (India) | |
| Superazi 250mg TAB / 10 (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 0.16 |
| Superazi 500mg TAB / 6 (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 1.77 |
| 250 mg x 10's (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 0.16 |
| 500 mg x 6's (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 1.77 |
| Superazi 250 mg Tablet (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 0.16 |
| Superazi 500 mg Tablet (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 0.30 |
| SUPERAZI tab 250 mg x 10's (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 1.59 |
| SUPERAZI tab 500 mg x 6's (Auspi Medicaments) | $ 1.77 |
| Suprazi | |
| Suprazi 500 mg Tablet (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.26 |
| SUPRAZI 100MG SUSPENSION 1 bottle / 15 ML suspension each (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.30 |
| SUPRAZI 200MG SUSPENSION 1 bottle / 15 ML suspension each (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.40 |
| SUPRAZI 250MG TABLET 1 strip / 6 tablets each (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.68 |
| SUPRAZI 500MG TABLET 1 strip / 3 tablets each (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.74 |
| Suprazi 100mg Suspension (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.30 |
| Suprazi 200mg Suspension (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.40 |
| Suprazi 250mg Tablet (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.11 |
| Suprazi 500mg Tablet (Tishcon Pharmed) | $ 0.25 |
| Suprozith | |
| Suprozith 15 ml Suspension (Athens Labs Ltd.) | $ 0.17 |
| Suprozith 500 mg Tablet (Athens Labs Ltd.) | $ 0.30 |
| SUPROZITH 250MG SUSPENSION 1 bottle / 15 ML suspension each (Athens Labs Ltd.) | $ 0.51 |
| SUPROZITH 500MG TABLET 1 strip / 3 tablets each (Athens Labs Ltd.) | $ 0.82 |
See 7398 substitutes for Sumamed | |
References
- DailyMed. "AZITHROMYCIN: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- PubChem. "azithromycin". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DrugBank. "azithromycin". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00207 (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Sumamed are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Sumamed. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
6 consumers reported useful
Was the Sumamed drug useful in terms of decreasing the symptom or the disease?According to the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, the below mentioned percentages of users say the drug is useful / not useful to them in decreasing their symptoms/disease. The usefulness of the drug depends on many factors, like severity of the disease, perception of symptom, or disease by the patient, brand name used [matters only to a certain extent], other associated conditions of the patient. If the drug is not effective or useful in your case, you need to meet the doctor to get re-evaluated about your symptoms/disease, and he will prescribe an alternative drug.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Useful | 6 | 100.0% | |
4 consumers reported price estimates
Was the price you paid to purchase the drug reasonable? Did you feel it was expensive?The below mentioned numbers have been reported by ndrugs.com website users about whether the Sumamed drug is expensive or inexpensive. There is a mixed opinion among users. The rating about the cost of the drug depends on factors like which brand drug the patient purchased, how effective it was for the price paid, the country or place the drug is marketed, and the economic condition of the patient. The users who feel the drug is expensive can look for an alternative brand drug or a generic drug to save the cost.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Not expensive | 3 | 75.0% | |
| Expensive | 1 | 25.0% | |
6 consumers reported time for results
To what extent do I have to use Sumamed before I begin to see changes in my health conditions?As part of the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, it takes 3 days and a few days before you notice an improvement in your health conditions.
Please note, it doesn't mean you will start to notice such health improvement in the same time frame as other users. There are many factors to consider, and we implore you to visit your doctor to know how long before you can see improvements in your health while taking Sumamed. To get the time effectiveness of using Sumamed drug by other patients, please click here.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 6 | 100.0% | |
5 consumers reported age
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 46-60 | 3 | 60.0% | |
| 16-29 | 1 | 20.0% | |
| < 1 | 1 | 20.0% | |
Consumer reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to write one! |
Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
