Antibiotics

Drug Name

Zithromax (Azithromycin)

Drug Uses

Zithromax may be used alone or with other medicines to treat or prevent certain infections in persons with advanced HIV infection, is used for treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria and may also be used for other conditions as directed by your health provider.

How to take

Use Zithromax as determined by your pharmacist. Check the label on the medicine for right dosing rules.

Intake Zithromax orally with or without food. Take with food to reduce stomach irritation, if stomach upset occurs.

Do not take an antacid that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Zithromax.

Zithromax acts better if it is taken the same every day.

Use Zithromax for the full course of treatment to clear up your infection completely. Go on using it even if you feel good in a few days.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic. It slows the increase of, or sometimes kills, sdelicate bacteria by reducing the making of important proteins needed by the bacteria to live.

Missed Dose

Skip the missed dose in case it’s already time for the next one. Do not take double doses at once.

Storage

Zithromax tablets should be kept between 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Hold constituted suspension between 5 to 30 degrees C (41 to 86 degrees F) and discard when full dosing is completed or within 10 days. Shake well before the use. Oversized bottle provides shake space. Keep tightly closed.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Zithromax if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zithromax, to other macrolide
antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), or to ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin)
• you are taking pimozide

Tell your health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney problems or abnormal heart rhythms

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Rifampin because it may decrease Zithromax's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, disopyramide, pimozide, or rifampin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zithromax
• Theophylline because blood levels may temporarily decrease after stopping Zithromax

Possible Side Effects

Verify with your doctor if any of these most Cgeneral side effects persist:

- Diarrhea; headache; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain; upset stomach; vomiting.

Seek medical support right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; chest pain; dark red, raised areas of the skin; hearing loss; pounding in the chest; ringing in the ears; severe diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

Please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider if you have any questions about Zithromax. Zithromax is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not use Zithromax for other health conditions. Check your doctor if signs get worse.