Zithromax (azithromycin)

Zithromax (azithromycin)

When used in combination with olmesartan (Benicar)Medication taken regularly by patients on the Marshall Protocol for its ability to activate the Vitamin D Receptor. or sometimes with a second antibiotic, Zithromax (azithromycin) can generate a powerful and prolonged immunopathological reactionA temporary increase in disease symptoms experiences by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed. in Marshall ProtocolA curative medical treatment for chronic inflammatory disease. Based on the Marshall Pathogenesis. (MP) patients.

Among the MP antibiotics, Zithromax has an especially long half-life and can remain in the tissues for weeks. Patients have reported immunopathologyA temporary increase in disease symptoms experienced by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed. (IP) up to 4-6 weeks after their last dose. For this reason, patients are expected to wait until their own immune function is returning before adding this antibiotic to their treatment plan. Indications of returning immune function include immunopathology that is not reduced by lowering antibiotics and a serum 25D measuring less than 12 ng/mL.

Zithromax is dosed less frequently than the other antibiotics - every 8-10 days – and due to it's long half-life, patients must be careful when increasing this antibiotic. Symptoms typically peak three to six days after taking Zithromax.

In cases of acute infection or other urgent situations, MP patients should avoid taking additional amounts of the MP antibiotics (especially Zithromax) and instead opt for safer alternatives that don't increase the risk of intolerable immunopathologyAn unbearable or unsafe severity of bacterial die-off reaction..

Zithromax is an azalide, a subclass of macrolide antibiotics. It binds to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.

Ordering Zithromax

Azithromycin tablets come in doses of 250mg or 500mg and often in a package of 6 or 3 – known as a “Z-pack” – but can be ordered in any number. 250 mg tablets will be easier to divide for the initial low doses.

Can I take generic azithromycin?

Azithromycin is the generic name for the antibiotic Zithromax. Generics are less expensive than a name brand. It is fine to use the brand name or generic form of azithromycin.

Dosing and administration

Combining Zithromax with other Marshall Protocol antibiotics

Choosing a second antibiotic

As specified in greater detail in the Protocol Guidelines, patients on the Marshall Protocol begin by taking regular doses of olmesartan (Benicar) and then, later on, increasing doses of minocycline. When ready to experience additional immunopathology, patients begin to take a second antibiotic.

Typically, that second antibiotic is azithromycin (Zithromax). Under certain circumstances, patients and their physicians may wish to use clindamycin.

When to use Zithromax as a second antibiotic (Phase Two) – Patients with significant psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or obsessive-compulsive behavior should use azithromycin, because clindamycin often exacerbates these symptoms to intolerable levels. For these patients, clindamycin is usually tolerated better at later stages of the treatment.
When to use clindamycin as a second antibiotic (Modified Phase Two) – Clindamycin doesn't linger in the tissues like Zithromax, so it is easier to control the immune system reactions. Clindamycin is helpful for patients who are very sick and may not be able to tolerate the relatively prolonged effect of Zithromax.

Patients who are still experiencing significant immunopathology from 100mg of minocycline alone are not yet ready to add a second antibiotic because the two antibiotic combination, especially when Zithromax is used, is much stronger than minocycline alone.

A special consideration for patients with high levels of 25-DThe vitamin D metabolite widely (and erroneously) considered best indicator of vitamin D "deficiency." Inactivates the Vitamin D Nuclear Receptor. Produced by hydroxylation of vitamin D3 in the liver. – Patients should not begin azithromycin until their serum level of 25-D drops below 12ng/ml, at which point, they may carefully introduce it. The reason for this caution is because a high level of 25-D suggests a relatively inactive immune response. By taking shorter-acting antibiotics such as clindamycin (as opposed to azithromycin), patients may minimize the length of time they experience a profound response to their antibiotics. An exception may be made for patients who are healthy enough to handle a substantial increase in immunopathology. In this case, physicians may want to wait until a patient's 25-D drops below 20ng/ml.