How should I take Sumamed after a tick bite as an adult? - briefly
Take 500 mg of azithromycin orally as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of the bite), then continue with 250 mg once daily for the next two days, completing a three‑day course. Confirm the regimen with a healthcare professional before starting.
How should I take Sumamed after a tick bite as an adult? - in detail
Azithromycin (Sumamed) is prescribed after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease when the bite is suspected to involve Borrelia infection and doxycycline is contraindicated. The adult dosing regimen is 500 mg orally once daily for three consecutive days. If a single‑dose regimen is preferred, 1 g taken once is an alternative, although the three‑day course provides more reliable tissue concentrations.
Key administration points:
- Take the tablet with a full glass of water; food does not significantly affect absorption, but a light meal can reduce gastrointestinal irritation.
- Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet; the entire dose must be swallowed whole.
- If vomiting occurs within two hours of ingestion, repeat the dose.
- Complete the full course even if symptoms improve; premature discontinuation may allow residual bacteria to survive.
Monitoring and safety considerations:
- Common adverse effects include mild nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort; these usually resolve without intervention.
- Rare but serious reactions such as QT‑prolongation, severe rash, or hepatic dysfunction require immediate medical attention.
- Assess for drug interactions: avoid concurrent use of drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., certain antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics) and medications that induce hepatic enzymes, which may reduce azithromycin levels.
Follow‑up actions:
- Schedule a clinical review within 7‑10 days to confirm symptom resolution and evaluate for any delayed manifestations of tick‑borne illness.
- If signs of Lyme disease develop despite therapy (e.g., erythema migrans, fever, arthralgia), initiate appropriate antibiotic treatment per current guidelines, typically doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 14‑21 days.
Adherence to the outlined dosing schedule, proper administration, and vigilant monitoring ensure optimal prophylactic effectiveness of azithromycin after a tick exposure in adults.