Zithromax Intravenous

This medication is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections. 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.

How to use Zithromax Vial

This medication is usually given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. It should be injected slowly over 1 hour.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

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.

For the best effect, use this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, use this medication at the same time(s) every day.

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, which may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or after you take Zithromax. This includes Acid Gone, Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Genaton, Maalox, Maldroxal, Milk of Magnesia, Mintox, Mylagen, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, and others. These antacids can make Zithromax less effective when taken at the same time.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Zithromax and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Zithromax can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zithromax: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, azithromycin may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of the body. Seek medical treatment if you have a new or worsening skin rash with fever, swollen glands, flu symptoms, or severe tingling or numbness.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain or swelling, pus-filled pimples, red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Call your doctor right away if a baby taking Zithromax becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Common Zithromax side effects may include:

• diarrhea;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Common side effects of Zithromax include: diarrhea, loose stools, and nausea. Other side effects include: abdominal pain, and vomiting. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to azithromycin: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral powder for reconstitution extended release, oral tablet

General

The most commonly reported side effects include diarrhea/loose stools, abdominal pain, and nausea.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 52.8%), nausea (up to 32.6%), abdominal pain (up to 32.2%), loose stools (up to 19.1%), flatulence (up to 10.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, dyspepsia, stomatitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, oral candidiasis, constipation, dysphagia/oral dysphagia, abdominal distension, dry mouth, eructation, mouth ulceration, salivary hypersecretion
Frequency not reported: Pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis, tongue discoloration, melena, enteritis, abnormal stools, gastrointestinal disorder
Postmarketing reports: Pyloric stenosis[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased lymphocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin, or neutrophil count, increased eosinophil count, increased platelets, hematocrit, lymphocytes, basophils, monocytes, or neutrophils
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leukopenia, neutropenia/mild neutropenia, eosinophilia
Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia, anemia/hemolytic anemia, decreased platelets[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, paresthesia, dysgeusia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, hypesthesia
Frequency not reported: Syncope, convulsion, anosmia, ageusia, parosmia, vertigo, myasthenia gravis, taste perversion, hyperkinesia
Postmarketing reports: Hyperactivity[Ref]

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain, infection, edema, reactions or inflammation[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Deafness, fatigue
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Candidiasis, ear disorder, asthenia, malaise, face edema, pyrexia, pain, post procedural complications, hearing disturbances/impairment, tinnitus, laboratory abnormalities, fungal or bacterial infection
Frequency not reported: Psychomotor hyperactivity, mucositis, fever, chills, otitis media
Postmarketing reports: Hearing loss, taste/smell perversion and/or loss[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Photosensitivity reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria, dermatitis, dry skin, hyperhidrosis, eczema
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug reaction of eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Frequency not reported: toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, fungal dermatitis, sweating, vesiculobullous rash, maculopapular rash[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased blood bicarbonate, anorexia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal sodium, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, bicarbonate, or chloride
Frequency not reported: Increased lactate dehydrogenase, decreased sodium or potassium
Postmarketing reports: Dehydration[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia, pharyngitis, rhinitis, respiratory disorder, epistaxis
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, pleural effusion, asthma, bronchitis[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Osteoarthritis, myalgia, back pain, neck pain
Frequency not reported: Increased creatine phosphokinase[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Vaginitis/vaginal infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria, metrorrhagia, testicular disorder[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioedema, hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction/anaphylaxis
Postmarketing reports: Fatal anaphylaxis[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Visual impairment
Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, increased AST, ALT, GGT, or blood bilirubin
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function tests, cholestatic jaundice
Frequency not reported: Hepatic failure/fatal hepatic failure, fulminant hepatitis, hepatic necrosis[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, hot flush, edema, chest pain, peripheral edema
Frequency not reported: Torsades de pointes, arrhythmia, ECG QT prolonged, hypotension, ventricular tachycardia[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness, insomnia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agitation
Frequency not reported: Aggression/aggressive reaction, anxiety, delirium, hallucination, emotional lability, irritability, hostility[Ref]

Renal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal pain, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis/nephritis[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Moniliasis, flu syndrome[Ref]

Some side effects of Zithromax may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

• Used to treat infections caused due to susceptible bacteria that occur on the skin, in the lungs, in the ears.
• Also, treats some sexually transmitted infections.
• Used specifically for the treatment and prevention of mycobacterium avium complex (a type of respiratory infection) in people with advanced HIV. May be used in addition to other antibiotics.
• Active against a wide range of microorganisms and shows good penetration into human tissue. Some bacteria may be resistant (not killed by Zithromax).
• May be better tolerated and have more effective tissue penetration than other similar antibiotics such as erythromycin.
• Can be dosed once daily which improves adherence.
• May be used to treat bacterial infections in people intolerant of penicillins.

• May be taken with or without food; however, zithromax tablets may be better tolerated if taken with food.
• Do not take at the same time as aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids.
• Discontinue Zithromax immediately and seek urgent medical advice if any sign of an allergic reaction (such as a rash or difficulty breathing) occurs.
• Take exactly as directed and finish the course as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better beforehand. Skipping doses or not completing treatment can decrease the effectiveness of the treatment and promote the development of resistance.
• Although diarrhea is common with Zithromax, contact your doctor if you develop severe diarrhea especially if it is very watery or contains blood. Sometimes diarrhea may occur one to two months after starting Zithromax.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of liver disease such as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, upper right abdominal pain, rash, clay-colored stools, severe nausea, and vomiting.
• If you are allergic to other macrolides (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin) do not take Zithromax. Also, avoid Zithromax if you have taken it before and it caused damage to your liver.
• Take Zithromax oral suspension immediately after reconstituting. Do not store for later use.
• Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Use an SPF 30 or higher sunblock when outside and wear protective clothing as Zithromax can make you sunburn more easily.