Jul
26
Azithromycin
July 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Azithromycin (uh-ZIH-throe-MYE-sin) [9
Brand Names
Zithromax Zmax
Type of Drug Macrolide antibiotic.
Prescribed For
Upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), middle eat Intections, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, 3R6 bacterial sinusitis.
General Information
Azithromycin is an azalide antibiotic, a subgroup of the macrolides. Macrolide drugs are either bactericidal (bacteria-killing) or bacteriostatic (inhibiting bacterial growth) depending on the organism in question and amount of antibiotic present.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take azithromycin if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients or any macrolide antibiotic.
Azithromycin is excreted primarily through the liver. People with liver disease or damage should consult their doctors. Those on long-term therapy with this drug should have periodic blood tests.
Colitis (bowel inflammation), ranging from mild to life-threatening, has been associated with all antibiotics (see “Possible Side Effects”).
Azithromycin is considered appropriate only for the treatment of more mild forms of pneumonia in non-hospitalized patients. People with other underlying conditions, those who are immune-compromised, and those who contract pneumonia in a hospital or other institutional setting probably should be treated with other antibiotics.
Possible Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and go away once you stop taking azithromycin.
✓ Most common: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Colitis (symptoms include severe abdominal cramps and severe, persistent, and possibly bloody diarrhea) may develop.
✓ Less common: heart palpitations; chest pain; vaginal irritation; stomach upset; gas; dizziness; headache; tiredness; unusual sun sensitivity; rash; itching; swelling; fungal infection of the mouth or vagina; dark, tarry stools; kidney inflammation; and vertigo.
Drug Interactions
• Pimozide should not be taken by anyone also taking a macrolide antibiotic. Two people died while taking this combination.
• Antacid products containing aluminum magnesium may delay the;a13z0jptjrjR rij azithromycin into the blood. Separate your antacid dose from azithromycin by at least 1 hour.
• All macrolide antibiotics increase blood levels of cyclosporine and may cause kidney damage.
• Combining azithromycin and a statin cholesterol-lowering drug increases the risk of developing a painful and potentially fatal condition involving severe muscle degeneration.
e Combining azithromycin and nelfinavir may increase azithromycin side effects.
Food Interactions
It is important to take azithromycin liquid on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Usual Dose
Respiratory Tract Infections, Skin Infections, STDs,
and Bacterial Sinusitis
Adult (age 16 and over): 500 mg as a single dose for 3 days, or 500 mg as a single dose on day 1, then 250 mg once a day on days 2-5 of treatment. STDs are treated with a single dose of 10002000 mg.
Middle Ear Infections and Bacterial Sinusitis* (Child)
1 -Day Regimen: 13.6 mg per lb. of body weight a day for 1 day. 3-Day Regimen: 4.5 mg per lb. of body weight a day for 3 days. 5-Day Regimen: 4.5 mg per 1b. of body weight a day for day 1,
and 2.25 mg per lb. a day for days 2-5.
‘3-day regimen for bacterial sinusitis preferred.
Tonsillitis and Sore Throat
Child (age 2 and over): 5.5 mg per lb. of body weight a day for 5 days.
Overdosage
Overdose may cause severe side effects, especially nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Call your local poison control center or hospital emergency room for more information. If you seek treatment, ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Call your doctor if you develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or severe abdominal pain. Stop taking this drug and immediately call your doctor it you experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, hives, rash, itching, mouth sores, or unusual sensitivity to light.
It is crucial that you follow your doctor’s directions on how to take the drug and how many days to take it—even if you feel well sooner. This drug’s effectiveness may be severely reduced otherwise. Taking azithromycin at the same time each day may help you remember your medication.
If you forget a dose of azithromycin, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and go back to your regular schedule.
Special Populations
Pregnancy/Breast-feeding: It is not known if azithromycin taken during pregnancy will harm a fetus. This medication should be taken by pregnant women only if it is clearly needed.
It is not known if azithromycin passes into breast milk, but other macrolide antibiotics do. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors with liver disease should use caution. Seniors who have pneumonia or are especially sickly or debilitated probably should be treated with other medications.