Azithromycin
Macrolide & similar types · Macrolide
Indications
Infections of upper & lower respiratory tract, skin & soft tissue. Otitis media. Uncomplicated genital infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis. COVID-19.
Dosage
ORAL: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 3 days taken at least 1 hr before or 2 hr after food. Children: Under 3 yr (upto 15 kg), 10 mg/kg; 3-7 yr: 125 mg; 8-11 yr: 188 mg; 12-14 yr: 250 mg. All as a single daily dose for 3 days, taken at least 1 hr before or 2 hr after food. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 1 day, then 250 mg once daily on day 2-5. Children: >2 yr: 12 mg/kg once daily for 5 day. Acute Bacterial Sinusitis: Adults: 500 mg once daily for 3 day or 2 gm single dose. Children: >6 mth: 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 day. Otitis Media: Children: >6 mth: 30 mg/kg as single dose; 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 day; or 10 mg/kg once daily for 1 day, then 5 mg/kg once daily for 2-5 days. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Adults: >16 yr: 500 mg once daily for one day, then 250 mg once daily for 2-5 days. COPD: Adults: 500 mg once daily…
Administration
Administer over at least 60 min. Other medications should not be infused simultaneously through the same IV line. Reconstitution: Prepare initiation solution by adding 4.8 mL of SWFI to the 500 mg vial (resulting conc. 100 mg/mL). Use of a standard syringe is recommended due to the vacuum in the vial (which may draw additional solution through an automated syringe). The initial solution should be further diluted to a concentration of 1 mg/mL (500 mL) to 2 mg/mL (250 mL) in NS, D5W, LR. Compatibility: Stable in NS, D5W, LR. Y-site administration: Drug to Drug IV Compatibility: Diphenhydramine, ondansetron, pantoprazole. Drug to Drug IV Incompatibility: Amikacin, aztreonam, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, famotidine, fentanyl, furosemide, gentamicin, imipenem, ketorolac, levofloxacin, morphine, piperacillin/tazobactam, tobramycin. Stability: Store intact vials of injection at room…
Adverse Effects
Gl upset, anorexia, allergy, rash, photosensitivity, arthralgia, oedema, angioneurotic oedema, anaphylaxis, abnormal liver function, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, dizziness, vertigo, convulsions, headache, somnolence, interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure, palpitations, arrhythmias, asthaenia, paraesthesia. Rarely hearing impairment, erythema multiforme. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, hepatic necrosis, hepatic failure, neutropenia, taste disturbances, decreased blood bicarbonate, deafness, pruritus.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Hepatic disease. Precautions: Renal or hepatic impairment. Perform LFTs if signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction occur, discontinue if confirmed. QT prolongation, electrolyte disturbance, clinically relevant bradycardia, arrhythmias or severe cardiac insufficiency. Myasthenia gravis. Elderly.
Interactions
Ergot derivatives, antacids, cyclosporin, digoxin, anticoagulants, colchicine, drugs that prolong QT interval.
Advice to Patient
Take tablet with meals. Take capsule 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Take oral suspension with or without meals. Do not take with antacids containing aluminum or magnesium. Contact prescriber if there is mouth sores, vaginal sores, vaginal discharge, unrelieved fever, severe diarrhoea or vomiting, rash, itching, hives, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Follow prescriber's advice about sexual intercourse and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases if medication is being taken to treat sexually transmitted disease.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Oral: Rapid from the GI tract. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Oral: Tab, immediate release oral susp: 34%-52%; extended release oral susp: 28%-43%; variable effect with food. Half-life elimination: Terminal: Oral, IV: Infants and Children 4 mth-15 yrs: 54.5 hrs. Adults: Immediate release: 68-72 hrs. Extended release: 59 hrs. Time to peak, serum: Oral: Immediate release: Approx. 2-3 hrs. Extended release: 3-5 hrs. Excretion: Oral, IV: Biliary (50%). Urine (6%-14%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.