Key takeaways
Cefixime (Suprax) and Azithromycin (Zithromax) are both antibiotics, but they belong to different classes and treat different types of infections. Cefixime is a cephalosporin antibiotic that works by preventing bacteria from making their protective covering, while Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that stops bacteria from making certain proteins. Cefixime is often used for urinary tract infections, ear infections, throat infections, bronchitis, and gonorrhea, whereas Azithromycin is used for respiratory infections like pneumonia, sinus infections, strep throat, and also for skin infections and certain sexually transmitted infections. Cefixime is typically taken once a day, while Azithromycin is usually taken once daily for 3 to 5 days. Both medications can cause stomach-related side effects like diarrhea and nausea, but Azithromycin can also cause serious heart rhythm problems and liver issues. Cefixime is available as a generic, but it tends to be more expensive than other antibiotics. Azithromycin is also available as a generic and comes in a convenient pre-packaged form called Z-Pak.
