Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Zithromax
- Macrolides
azithromycin ophthalmic (Rx)
- Classes: Macrolides, Ophthalmic
Description
Macrolide antibiotic similar in structure to erythromycin, but can be dosed systemically once daily
Used systemically for otitis media, pharyngitis, community-acquired pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prophylaxis and treatment in patients with advanced HIV disease; an ophthalmic solution is used for bacterial conjunctivitis
Produces less GI intolerance and reaches higher intracellular concentrations than erythromycin
Indications
Indicated for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy
Indicated for treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy
Indicated for treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae
Indicated for treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
Indicated for treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae
Indicated for treatment of genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
Indicated for treatment of urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Indicated for treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Mycoplasma hominis in patients who require initial IV therapy
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolides or ketolides
History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin
Adverse Effects
- Diarrhea (52.8%)
- Nausea (32.6%)
- Abdominal pain (27%)
- Loose stool (19.1%)
- Elevated ALT, AST, creatinine (4-6%)
- Elevated LDH, bilirubin (1-3%)
Community-acquired pneumonia
- Pain at injection site (6.5%)
- Diarrhea (4.3%)
- Nausea (3.9%)
- Local inflammation (3.1%)
- Abdominal pain (2.7%)
- Vomiting (1.4%)
Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Diarrhea (8.5%)
- Nausea (6.6%)
- Vaginitis (2.8%)
- Abdominal pain (1.9%)
- Anorexia (1.9%)
- Rash and pruritus (1.9%)
Warnings
Abnormal liver function, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, hepatic necrosis, and hepatic failure have been reported, some of which have resulted in death; discontinue treatment immediately if signs and symptoms of hepatitis occur
Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS) has been reported; advise direct parents and caregivers if vomiting or irritability with feeding occurs
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis; if CDAD is suspected or confirmed, discontinue ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile; institute appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation as clinically indicated
Exacerbations of symptoms of myasthenia gravis and new onset of myasthenic syndrome have been reported
Antibacterial agents used to treat nongonococcal urethritis may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis; all patients with sexually transmitted urethritis or cervicitis should have a serologic test for syphilis and appropriate testing for gonorrhea performed at the time of diagnosis; if infection confirmed, initiate appropriate antibacterial therapy and follow-up tests for these diseases
Local IV site reactions have been reported with IV azithromycin
Prescribing azithromycin in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria
Pregnancy and Lactation
Available data on use in pregnant women have not identified any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes
Present in human milk
Maximum Dosage
500 mg/day PO is FDA-approved dosage; however, doses up to 1,200 mg/day PO are used off-label; 2 g PO when given as single dose; 500 mg/day IV infusion.
500 mg/day PO is FDA-approved dosage; however, doses up to 1,200 mg/day PO are used off-label; 2 g PO when given as single dose; 500 mg/day IV infusion.
16 to 17 years: 500 mg/day PO is FDA-approved dosage; however, doses up to 1,200 mg/day PO are used off-label; 2 g PO when given as single dose; 500 mg/day IV infusion.
13 to 15 years: For the immediate-release oral suspension or tablets, 12 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 500 mg/dose) and single doses up to 30 mg/kg PO (Max: 1.5 g/dose) are the maximum FDA-approved dosages; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 1,000 mg/day) or 1,200 mg/day are used off-label. For extended-release oral suspension, 60 mg/kg single dose PO (Max: 2 g/dose). Safety and efficacy have not been established for IV; however, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (Max: 500 mg/dose) have been used off-label.
2 to 12 years: For the immediate-release oral suspension or tablets, 12 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 500 mg/dose) and single doses up to 30 mg/kg PO (Max: 1.5 g/dose) are the maximum FDA-approved dosages; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 1,000 mg/day) are used off-label. For extended-release oral suspension, 60 mg/kg single dose PO (Max: 2 g/dose). Safety and efficacy have not been established for IV; however, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day (Max: 500 mg/dose) have been used off-label.
1 year: For the immediate-release oral suspension or tablets, 10 mg/kg/day PO and single doses up to 30 mg/kg PO are the maximum FDA-approved dosages; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO are used off-label. For extended-release oral suspension, 60 mg/kg single dose PO. Safety and efficacy have not been established for IV; however, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day have been used off-label.
6 to 11 months: For the immediate-release oral suspension or tablets, 10 mg/kg/day PO and single doses up to 30 mg/kg PO are the maximum FDA-approved dosages; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO are used off-label. For extended-release oral suspension, 60 mg/kg single dose PO. Safety and efficacy have not been established for IV; however, doses up to 10 mg/kg/day have been used off-label.
3 to 5 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO or 10 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label.
1 to 2 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO have been used off-label.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 20 mg/kg/day PO have been used off-label.
How supplied
Azithromycin
injection, lyophilized powder for reconstitution
- 500mg/vial
tablet
- 250mg
- 500mg
oral suspension
- 100mg/5mL
- 200mg/5mL
ophthalmic solution
- 1% (2.5mL)
