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Generic Name: azithromycin (a zith row MY sin)
Brand Names:
Zithromax, Zithromax TRI-PAK, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax |
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What is the most important information I should know about
azithromycin?
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Do not use azithromycin if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to this medicine or similar drugs such as erythromycin (E-Mycin,
Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or other macrolide
antibiotics. |
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There are many other medicines that can interact with
azithromycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to
any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you. |
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Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed
by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is
completely treated. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such
as the common cold or flu. |
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Take azithromycin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2
hours after meals. |
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Do not take azithromycin at the same time as taking an
antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium. This includes Rolaids,
Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and others. These
antacids can make azithromycin less effective when taken at the same
time. |
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Azithromycin is in a group of drugs called macrolide
antibiotics. Azithromycin fights bacteria in the body. |
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Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of
infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin
infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. |
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Azithromycin may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
azithromycin?
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Do not use azithromycin if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to this medicine or similar drugs such as erythromycin (E-Mycin,
Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or other macrolide
antibiotics. |
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Before taking azithromycin, tell your doctor if you have: |
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a heart rhythm disorder; or |
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a history of Long QT syndrome. |
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If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to
use azithromycin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests
during treatment. |
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FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to
be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk
or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without
telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take azithromycin?
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Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you.
Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than
recommended by your doctor. The dose and length of treatment with
azithromycin may not be the same for every type of infection. |
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Take each tablet or capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of
water. |
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To use the oral suspension single dose packet: Open the
packet and pour the medicine into 2 ounces of water. Stir this mixture
and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose,
add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right
away. |
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Azithromycin capsules must be taken on an empty
stomach. Take the capsule at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating
a meal |
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Azithromycin tablets or powder oral suspension
may be taken with or without food. Take the tablet or oral suspension
with food if the medicine upsets your stomach. |
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Do not take azithromycin at the same time as taking an
antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium. This includes Rolaids,
Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia,
Pepcid Complete, and others. These antacids can make azithromycin
less effective when taken at the same time. |
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Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you
measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid
with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
for one. |
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Take this medication for the entire length of time
prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the
infection is completely treated. Azithromycin will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu. |
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It is important to take azithromycin regularly to get the
most benefit. |
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. Throw away any unused liquid medicine after 10 days. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the
medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used
too much of this medicine. |
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Symptoms of an azithromycin overdose may include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. |
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What should I avoid while taking azithromycin?
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Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign
of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in
it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea
unless your doctor has told you to. |
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Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps
or tanning beds). Azithromycin can make your skin more sensitive to
sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and
wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. |
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What are the possible side effects of azithromycin?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs
of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of
your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
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Stop using azithromycin and call your doctor at once if you
have any of these serious side effects: |
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody; |
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chest pain, uneven heartbeats; or |
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). |
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Continue using azithromycin and talk with your doctor if you
have any of these less serious side effects: |
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mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach
pain; |
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dizziness, tired feeling, or headache; |
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vaginal itching or discharge; or |
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mild itching or skin rash. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect azithromycin?
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Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium
within 2 hours of taking azithromycin. |
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Before taking azithromycin, tell your doctor if you are
using any of the following drugs: |
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digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); |
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ergot medicine such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat,
Medihaler, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E.,
Migranal Nasal Spray); |
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carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol); |
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cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); |
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cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor),
atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol); |
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a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cartia XT,
Diltiazem, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene),
nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), verapamil (Calan,
Covera-HS); |
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HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir),
saquinavir (Invirase); |
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alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed),
triazolam (Halcion); |
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theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron); |
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another antibiotic, especially clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S, Ery-Tab). |
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• |
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to
use azithromycin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests
during treatment. |
|
• |
There are many other medicines that can interact with
azithromycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you
of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other
healthcare provider who treats you. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about
azithromycin written for
health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.01. Revision date: 5/
17/ 06. |
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