discomfort.gastrointestinal disorders.headache.hearing
impairment.nausea.pancreatitis.sensation abnormal.
skin reactions.sleep disorders.taste altered.vasodilation
.vision disorders.vomiting▶UncommonAngioedema.anxiety.arrhythmias.burping.
candida infection.cardiac arrest.chest pain.constipation
.drowsiness.dry mouth.eosinophilia.eye allergy.
haemorrhage.hepatic disorders.leucopenia.loss of
consciousness.movement disorders.muscle complaints.
neutropenia.oedema.oral disorders.palpitations.
photosensitivity reaction.pulmonary embolism.QT
interval prolongation.severe cutaneous adverse reactions
(SCARs).thrombocytosis.tremor.vertigo
▶Rare or very rareAntibiotic associated colitis.hearing loss
(can occur after large doses).myasthenia gravis.nephritis
tubulointerstitial
▶Frequency not knownAggression.agranulocytosis.
atrioventricular block.cerebral impairment.
depersonalisation.depression.haemolytic anaemia.
hallucination.hypotension.mania.myopathy.psychotic
disorder.renal impairment.seizure.smell altered.
syncope.thrombocytopenia.urine discolouration
eiiiiF 328Azithromycin
lINDICATIONS AND DOSE
Prevention of secondary case of invasive group A
streptococcal infection in patients who are allergic to
penicillin
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6 months–11 years: 12 mg/kg once daily (max. per
dose 500 mg) for 5 days
▶Child 12–17 years: 500 mg once daily for 5 days
Respiratory-tract infections, otitis media, skin and soft-
tissue infections
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6 months–17 years: 10 mg/kg once daily (max. per
dose 500 mg) for 3 days
▶Child 6 months–17 years (body-weight 15–25 kg): 200 mg
once daily for 3 days
▶Child 6 months–17 years (body-weight 26–35 kg): 300 mg
once daily for 3 days
▶Child 6 months–17 years (body-weight 36–45 kg): 400 mg
once daily for 3 days
▶Child 6 months–17 years (body-weight 46 kg and
above): 500 mg once daily for 3 days
Infection in cystic fibrosis
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6 months–17 years: 10 mg/kg once daily (max. per
dose 500 mg) for 3 days, repeated after 1 week to
complete course, treatment may be repeated as
necessary
ChronicPseudomonas aeruginosainfection in cystic
fibrosis
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6–17 years (body-weight 25–40 kg): 250 mg 3 times a
week
▶Child 6–17 years (body-weight 41 kg and above): 500 mg
3 times a week
Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections|Non-
gonococcal urethritis
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 12–17 years: 1 gfor 1 dose
Lyme disease (under expert supervision)
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6 months–17 years: 10 mg/kg once daily (max. per
dose 500 mg) for 7 – 10 daysMild to moderate typhoid due to multiple-antibacterial
resistant organisms
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child 6 months–17 years: 10 mg/kg once daily (max. per
dose 500 mg) for 7 dayslUNLICENSED USENot licensed for typhoid fever, Lyme
disease, chronicPseudomonas aeruginosainfection in
cysticfibrosis, or prophylaxis of group A streptococcal
infection.
lINTERACTIONS→Appendix 1 : macrolides
lPREGNANCYManufacturers advise use only if adequate
alternatives not available.
lBREAST FEEDINGPresent in milk; use only if no suitable
alternatives.
lHEPATIC IMPAIRMENTManufacturers advise avoid in
severe liver disease–no information available.
lRENAL IMPAIRMENTUse with caution if estimated
glomerularfiltration rate less than 10 mL/minute/ 1. 73 m^2.
lPRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING INFORMATIONFlavours of
oral liquid formulations may include cherry or banana.
lPATIENT AND CARER ADVICE
Medicines for Children leaflet: Azithromycin for bacterial
infectionswww.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/azithromycin-
bacterial-infections- 0
lPROFESSION SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Dental practitioners’formulary
Azithromycin Capsules may be prescribed. Azithromycin
Tablets may be prescribed. Azithromycin Oral Suspension
200 mg/ 5 mL may be prescribed.
lEXCEPTIONS TO LEGAL CATEGORYAzithromycin tablets
can be sold to the public for the treatment of confirmed,
asymptomaticChlamydia trachomatisgenital infection in
those over 16 years of age, and for the epidemiological
treatment of their sexual partners, subject to maximum
single dose of 1 g, maximum daily dose 1 g, and a pack size
of 1 g.lMEDICINAL FORMS
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines
containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order
manufacturers include: oral suspension
Tablet
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS5, 9
▶Azithromycin (Non-proprietary)
Azithromycin 250 mgAzithromycin 250 mg tablets| 4 tabletP
£ 10. 11 DT = £ 1. 12 | 6 tabletP£ 2. 04 – £ 14. 46
Azithromycin 500 mgAzithromycin 500 mg tablets| 3 tabletP
£ 9. 80 DT = £ 0. 88
Oral suspension
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS5, 9
▶Azithromycin (Non-proprietary)
Azithromycin 40 mg per 1 mlAzithromycin 200 mg/ 5 ml oral
suspension| 15 mlP£ 6. 18 DT = £ 4. 06 | 30 mlP£ 11. 04 DT =
£ 11. 04
▶Zithromax(Pfizer Ltd)
Azithromycin 40 mg per 1 mlZithromax 200 mg/ 5 ml oral
suspension| 15 mlP£ 4. 06 DT = £ 4. 06 | 22. 5 mlP£ 6. 10 DT =
£ 6. 10 | 30 mlP£ 11. 04 DT = £ 11. 04
Powder for solution for infusion
ELECTROLYTES:May contain Sodium
▶Zedbac(Aspire Pharma Ltd)
Azithromycin (as Azithromycin dihydrate) 500 mgZedbac 500 mg
powder for solution for infusion vials| 1 vialP£ 9. 50 (Hospital
only)
Capsule
CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS5, 9, 23
▶Azithromycin (Non-proprietary)
Azithromycin (as Azithromycin dihydrate) 250 mgAzithromycin
250 mg capsules| 4 capsuleP£ 3. 59 – £ 10. 10 | 6 capsuleP
£ 15. 15 DT = £ 5. 39BNFC 2018 – 2019 Bacterial infection 329
Infection5