Azithromycin (Intravenous Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

ARTICLE SECTIONS

US Brand Names

Zithromax

Description

Azithromycin 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). It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Azithromycin may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.

Azithromycin 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, azithromycin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Trachoma (treatment)

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Powder for Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children up to the age of 16. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Dihydroergotamine
Ergoloid Mesylates
Ergonovine
Ergotamine
Methylergonovine
Methysergide
Pimozide

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Liver disease—Patients with severe liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects

Proper Use

Azithromycin capsules and pediatric oral suspension should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals. Azithromycin tablets and adult single dose oral suspension may be taken with or without food.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking azithromycin for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For the oral suspension dosage form:
- For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections:
  - Adults and adolescents—1 gram taken once as a single dose.
  - Children 6 months to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For gonococcal infections:
  - Adults and adolescents—2 grams taken once as a single dose.
  - Children 6 months to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For otitis media and pneumonia:
  - Children 6 months to 12 years of age—10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on the first day, then 5 mg per kg (2.2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on days two through five.
- For strep throat:
  - Adults and adolescents—The oral suspension is usually not used. Refer to azithromycin capsules or tablets.
  - Children 2 to 12 years of age—12 mg per kg (5.4 mg per pound) of body weight once a day for five days.
  - Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For the tablet dosage form:
- For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections:
  - Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older—500 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For chlamydia infections:
  - Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older—1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease:
  - Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older—1200 mg once a week.
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For sinusitis:
  - Adults and adolescents— 500 mg a day for 3 days
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For injection dosage form:
- For pelvic inflammatory disease:
  - Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older—500 milligrams (mg) once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein.
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pneumonia:
  - Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older—500 mg once a day for at least two days, injected into a vein.
  - Children up to 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Store the pediatric suspension form in the refrigerator.

Precautions

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

More common (for injection form only)

Pain, redness, and swelling at site of injection

Rare

Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain (severe)
Abdominal tenderness
Diarrhea (watery and severe, which may be bloody)
Difficulty in breathing
Fever
Joint pain
Skin rash
Swelling of face, mouth, neck, hands, and feet

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common