Azithromycin (Systemic)

BRAND NAMES:
In the U.S.
Zithromax
BRAND NAMES:
In Canada
Zithromax
Description
Azithromycin (az-ith-roe-MYE-sin) 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, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
Injection (U.S.)

Proper Use of This Medicine
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 azithromycin 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 azithromycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or the amount of suspension that you take depends on the medical problem for which you are taking azithromycin.

For the oral suspension dosage form:
For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections:
Adults and adolescents1 gram taken once as a single dose.
Children 6 months to 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For gonococcal infections:
Adults and adolescents2 grams taken once as a single dose.
Children 6 months to 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For otitis media and pneumonia:
Children 6 months to 12 years of age10 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 adolescentsThe oral suspension is usually not used. Refer to azithromycin capsules or tablets.
Children 2 to 12 years of age12 mg per kg (5.4 mg per pound) of body weight once a day for five days.
Children up to 2 years of ageUse 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 older500 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
Children up to 16 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For chlamydia infections:
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
Children up to 16 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease:
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older1200 mg once a week.
Children up to 16 years of ageUse 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 ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For injection dosage form:
For pelvic inflammatory disease:
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older500 milligrams (mg) once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein.
Children up to 16 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For pneumonia:
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older500 mg once a day for at least two days, injected into a vein.
Children up to 16 years of ageUse 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 - To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Store the pediatric suspension form of azithromycin in the refrigerator.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.