Azithromycin

U.S. Brand Names

AzaSite™; Zithromax®; Zmax™

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Azithromycin®; CO Azithromycin; Dom-Azithromycin; GMD-Azithromycin; Novo-Azithromycin; PHL-Azithromycin; PMS-Azithromycin; ratio-Azithromycin; Sandoz-Azithromycin; Zithromax®

Mexican Brand Names

Azitrocin; Azitrohexal; Azo-Max; Koptin; Macrozit; Zithran

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as an eye solution, an injection, a liquid, and a tablet.

Pharmacologic Category

Antibiotic, Macrolide; Antibiotic, Ophthalmic

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to azithromycin or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat a variety of bacterial infections.

How does this medicine work?

• Azithromycin works to injure the bacteria and fight the infection.

How is this medicine given?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses.

• Give prescription as directed, even if your child is feeling better.

Oral:

• Give this medicine with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• A liquid (suspension) is available if your child cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.

• Children who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Stop tube feeding 2 hours before giving this medicine. Restart tube feeding 1 hour after giving this medicine.

• Empty single dose liquid (suspension) packet in / cup of water. Mix well and give to your child to drink. Rinse with more water and have child drink.

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use measuring device that comes with the medicine. If none is available, get an oral syringe, a medicine dropper, a medicine spoon, or a medicine cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.

Injection (I.V.):

• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.

Eye solution:

• For the eye only.

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Have your child take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Lenses should not be put back in if eyes are irritated or infected.

• Do not touch the container tip to your child's eye, lid, or other skin.

• Tilt child's head back and to the side of affected eye.

• After using medicine, ask the child to keep eyes closed. Apply light pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your child's eye.

• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better several days after starting this medicine.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• If your child has kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Belly pain or heartburn.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals and frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum, or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.

• Eye: Short-term discomfort after use.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• For the occurrence of side effects.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child has severe nausea or vomiting.

• If your child has severe diarrhea.

• If your child has a sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.

• If your child has a fast heartbeat.

• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store liquid (suspension) or tablets at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion after 10 days.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to your child in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

Azasite™:

• After opening, store at room temperature. Throw away after 14 days.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Created: 2006-10-16 10:12:02.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:11:19.0

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