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Zymaxid vs. Azithromycin

Gatifloxacin (Zymaxid) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic eye drop. It works well to treat pink eye caused by certain types of bacteria, but it doesn't treat pink eye caused by viruses. Gatifloxacin (Zymaxid) is approved for people ages 1 year and older. It's placed in the eye multiple times a day. Typically, treatment lasts about a week. Some of the more common side effects of gatifloxacin (Zymaxid) include eye irritation and changes in taste in your mouth.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Worsening of eye infection
• Eye irritation
• Eye pain
• Changes the taste in your mouth

• Allergic reactions
• New infection

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic. It's used to treat many types of infections in children and adults, including strep throat, sinus infection, and pneumonia. Azithromycin (Zithromax) is taken by mouth once daily. Typically, the length of treatment ranges from 3 to 5 days, depending on the type of infection you have. For convenience, azithromycin (Zithromax) also comes pre-packaged as Z-Pak. Some of the more common side effects of azithromycin (Zithromax) include diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.

Adults

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

• Sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from a bacterial infection
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Pneumonia
• Strep throat
• Tonsil infections
• Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
• Urethra or cervix infections
• Genital ulcer disease (chancroid)

Children

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

• Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)
• Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)
• Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)
• Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)

Adults

• Diarrhea (4-5%)
• Nausea (3%)
• Stomach pain (2-3%)

Children

• Diarrhea (2-6%)
• Vomiting (1-6%)
• Stomach pain (1-3%)

• Severe allergic and skin reactions
• Liver damage
• Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)
• Possible higher risk of death from heart problems
• Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
• Worsening of certain muscle problems (myasthenia gravis)
• Doesn't treat syphilis