Monograph Details
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Infections & Infestations
> Bacterial infections
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ZITHROMAX |
| Manufacturer |
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Pfizer Labs |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Macrolide (azalide). |
| Generic Name |
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Azithromycin (as dihydrate) 250mg, 500mg, 600mg; tabs. |
| Also |
• ZITHROMAX INJECTION
• ZITHROMAX ORAL SUSP
• ZITHROMAX PACKETS
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| Indications |
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Mild to moderate susceptible infections including acute bacterial exacerbations of COPD, acute bacterial sinusitis, acute otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, uncomplicated skin and skin structure, urethritis, cervicitis, chancroid in men. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease: see literature. |
| Children |
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Use oral susp (not packets). Otitis media: <6 months: not recommended; ≥6 months: 30mg/kg as a single dose (max 1.5g); or 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 3 days; or 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once then 5mg/kg (max 250mg) per day for 4 days. Sinusitis: <6 months: not recommended; ≥6 months: 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 3 days. Community-acquired pneumonia: <6 months: not recommended; ≥6 months: 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 1 day, then 5mg/kg (max 250mg) once daily for 4 days. Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: <2 yrs: not recommended; ≥2 yrs: 12mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 5 days. MAC prophylaxis: see literature. |
| Adults |
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Use packets only for doses equal to 1gram. COPD: 500mg once daily for 3 days; or 500mg once daily for 1 day, then 250mg once daily for 4 days. Sinusitis: 500mg once daily for 3 days. Community-acquired pneumonia, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, skin and skin structure: 500mg once daily for 1 day, then 250mg once daily for 4 days. Nongonococcal urethritis, cervicitis, chancroid: 1g as a single dose. Urethritis, cervicitis due to N. gonorrhoeae: 2g as a single dose. MAC: see literature. |
| Contraindications |
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Ketolide or related allergy. |
| Precautions |
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Pneumonia: oral treatment is for mild, community-acquired cases suitable for outpatient therapy only. Hepatic or renal impairment. Hypersensitivity reactions may recur after initial successful symptomatic treatment. Pregnancy (Cat.B). Nursing mothers. |
| Interactions |
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Avoid concomitant aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids. Monitor digoxin, cyclosporine, ergots, hexobarbital, phenytoin, warfarin. Monitor for azithromycin toxicity (eg, liver dysfunction, ototoxicity) with nelfinavir. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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GI upset, abdominal pain, rash, chest pain; rare: allergy (eg, angioedema, cholestatic jaundice). |
| How Supplied |
Tabs—30
Z-Pak (6 x 250mg tabs)—3
Tri-Pak (3 x 500mg tabs)—3
Susp 100mg/5mL—15mL
200mg/5mL—15mL, 22.5mL, 30mL
Single Dose Packets—3, 10
Inj (500mg vials)—10 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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