Monograph Details

Infections & Infestations > Bacterial infections
ZITHROMAX PACKETS
Manufacturer
Pfizer Labs
Legal Classification
Rx
Pharmacological Class
Macrolide (azalide).
Generic Name
Azithromycin (as dihydrate) 1g/packet (single dose); banana-cherry flavor.
Also
ZITHROMAX
ZITHROMAX INJECTION
ZITHROMAX ORAL SUSP
Indications
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
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
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
Ketolide or related allergy.
Precautions
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
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
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
Related Prescribing Note