AzithromycinIV - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Overview

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How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Azithromycin

Uses
This medication is an antibiotic given by vein (IV) to treat certain bacterial infections when medications taken by mouth can't be used. This medication is known as a macrolide (erythromycin-type) antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This medication is used to treat lung infections (pneumonia) or female pelvic infections (e.g., PID) caused by bacteria.This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.This drug may also be used for other types of bacterial infections.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to monitor for side effects and response to treatment.

Storage

For the US product, store the unmixed medication vial at 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
After mixing and dilution in IV fluids, this product is stable at or below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) for 24 hours.
When stored in the refrigerator at 41 degrees F (5 degrees C), the mixed product is stable for 7 days.
Discard any unused liquid.For the Canadian product, store the unmixed medication vial at 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
After mixing and dilution in IV fluids, this product is stable at or below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) for 24 hours.
When stored in the refrigerator at 41 degrees F (5 degrees C), the mixed product is stable for 3 days.
Discard any unused liquid.Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

How To Use

This medication is mixed in the correct fluid and given slowly into a vein by a health care professional, usually once daily over at least 60 minutes.
Follow all instructions for proper mixing, dilution, and use.
Consult your pharmacist if you are unclear on any instructions.
Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liquid.Do not inject the medication undiluted into a vein.
Do not inject this medication into a muscle or under the skin.
Do not mix azithromycin with other medications in the same IV fluid or give with other medications into the same vein at the same time.You should use this injectable medication only until you are able to take an antibiotic by mouth or until your treatment is finished.
Dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy.Antibiotics work best when used regularly.
Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days.
Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in a return of the infection.Notify your doctor if your condition/symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/loose stools, stomach pain, or pain/redness at the injection site may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: hearing changes (e.g., ringing in the ears, hearing loss), swelling legs/feet.Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection.
Contact your doctor if you notice white patches/sores in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: persistent nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal/stomach pain, unusual weakness/tiredness, change in the amount of urine, dark urine, yellowing skin/eyes.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a type of resistant bacteria.
This condition may occur weeks after treatment has stopped.
Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.An allergic reaction to this medication may return even if you stop the drug.
If you have an allergic reaction, continue to watch for any of the above symptoms for several days after your last dose.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before using azithromycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other macrolide/ketolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain heart problems (heart failure, QT prolongation in the EKG), kidney disease, liver disease.This medication contains sodium.
Consult your doctor for more information if you are on a salt-restricted diet or if increased salt intake could worsen your condition (e.g., congestive heart failure).Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially swelling legs/feet (due to sodium and water retention).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If the dose is missed, contact your doctor immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: pimozide.If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting azithromycin.Other drugs besides azithromycin that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include amiodarone, dofetilide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and erythromycin, among others.
QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, live bacterial vaccines, lovastatin, nelfinavir, warfarin.This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills.
This can result in pregnancy.
You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.