Zithromax is an macrolide antibiotic related to erythromycin. Azithromycin fights bacteria in the body. Zithromax is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. In children, Azithromycin is used to treat middle ear infection, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and strep throat.

Take Azithromycin only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Zithromax may be taken with or without food on a full or empty stomach. If your doctor tells you to take it a certain way, follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not use Zithromax if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Azithromycin or similar drugs such as Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin, or Troleandomycin.

Do not stop taking Azithromycin without checking first with your doctor.

Azithromycin Dosing:

The dose of Zithromax will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of Zithromax. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

To use the oral suspension single dose packet: Open the packet and pour the medicine into 2 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. Do not save for later use. Throw away any mixed oral suspension that has not been used within 12 hours.

To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Azithromycin may be taken with or without food. Take the medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Take azithromycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the Azithromycin.

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Otitis Media

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Bronchitis

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Pneumonia

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5 for mild infections

Extended release suspension: 2 g orally once for mild to moderate infections

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Recommended as an alternative (second line therapy) in patients who cannot use first line therapy

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Sinusitis

Acute bacterial sinusitis:

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once a day for 3 days

Extended release suspension: 2 g orally once for mild to moderate infections

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection - Uncomplicated

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Gonococcal Infection - Uncomplicated

Immediate release: 2 g orally once

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Chancroid

Immediate release: 1 g orally once

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Nongonococcal Urethritis

Immediate release: 1 g orally once

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Cervicitis

Immediate release: 1 g orally once

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Granuloma Inguinale

Immediate release: 1 g orally once a week for at least 3 weeks and until all lesions have completely healed

This regimen is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an alternative to doxycyline.

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Legionella Pneumonia

500 mg IV once a day for at least 2 days followed by 500 mg (immediate release formulation) orally once a day to complete a 7- to 10-day course of therapy

The IV dose should be reconstituted and diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and administered as an infusion over not less than 60 minutes.

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Severe infection: 500 mg IV once a day can be administered for at least 2 days followed by 500 mg (immediate release formulation) orally once a day to complete a 7- to 10-day course of therapy

The IV dose should be reconstituted and diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and administered as an infusion over not less than 60 minutes.

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Acute

Acute bacterial exacerbations (mild to moderate):

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once daily for 3 days or 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis

Patients with advanced HIV infection:

Immediate release: 1200 mg orally once a week alone or with rifabutin

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment

Patients with advanced HIV infection:

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once a day plus ethambutol, with or without rifabutin

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Bacterial Infection - Pertussis

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Lyme Disease - Erythema Chronicum Migrans

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once a day

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once 30 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Toxoplasmosis

Immediate release: 1200 to 1500 mg orally once a day

Usual adult Zithromax dose for Typhoid Fever

Immediate release: 1000 mg orally on the first day followed by 500 mg orally once a day for 6 days - Alternatively, a dosage of 1000 mg orally once a day for 5 days may also be used.

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Pneumonia

Community acquired:

6 months or older:

Immediate release: 10 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally as a single dose on the first day followed by 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day on days 2 thru 5 or 30 mg/kg orally once or 10 mg/kg orally once a day for 3 days

Extended release suspension:

Less than 34 kg: 60 mg/kg orally once for mild to moderate infections

34 kg or more: 2 g orally once for mild to moderate infections

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Sinusitis

Acute bacterial sinusitis:

6 months or older:

Immediate release: 10 mg/kg orally once a day for 3 days

16 years or older:

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once a day for 3 days

Extended release suspension: 2 g orally once for mild to moderate infections

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Otitis Media

Acute:

6 months or older:

Immediate release: 30 mg/kg (maximum: 1500 mg/dose) orally once or 10 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally once a day for 3 days or 10 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally as a single dose on the first day followed by 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day on days 2 thru 5

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

2 years or older:

Immediate release: 12 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally once a day for 5 days

Recommended as an alternative (second line therapy) in patients who cannot use first line therapy

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection - Uncomplicated

16 years or older:

Immediate release: 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Pertussis:

Immediate release:

Less than 6 months: 10 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 days

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally as a single dose on the first day followed by 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day on days 2 thru 5

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Immediate release:

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg/dose) orally as a single dose on the first day followed by 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day on days 2 thru 5

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis

Patients with advanced HIV infection:

Immediate release:

Primary prevention:

Children: 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day or 20 mg/kg (maximum: 1200 mg/dose) once a week alone or with rifabutin

16 years or older: 1200 mg orally once a week alone or with rifabutin

Secondary prevention:

Children: 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day plus ethambutol, with or without rifabutin

16 years or older: 500 mg orally once a day plus ethambutol, with or without rifabutin

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment

Patients with advanced HIV infection:

Immediate release:

Children: 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a day plus ethambutol, with or without rifabutin

16 years or older: 500 mg orally once a day plus ethambutol, with or without rifabutin

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Typhoid Fever

6 months or older:

Immediate release: 10 mg/kg orally once a day for 7 days

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Chancroid

Immediate release: 20 mg/kg (maximum: 1 g/dose) orally once

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Nongonococcal Urethritis - Uncomplicated

Immediate release:

Less than 8 years and less than 45 kg: 20 mg/kg (maximum: 1 g/dose) orally once

8 years or older and 45 kg or more: 1 g orally once

Immediate release:

Less than 8 years and less than 45 kg: 20 mg/kg (maximum: 1 g/dose) orally once

8 years or older and 45 kg or more: 1 g orally once

16 years or older:

Immediate release: 2 g orally once

Acute bacterial exacerbations (mild to moderate):

16 years or older:

Immediate release: 500 mg orally once a day for 3 days or 500 mg orally on the first day followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Babesiosis

Immediate release: 12 mg/kg (maximum: 600 mg/dose) orally once a day for 7 to 10 days plus oral atovaquone

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

Immediate release: 15 mg/kg (maximum: 500 mg) orally once 30 to 60 minutes prior to procedure

Usual pediatric dose of Azithromycin for Cystic Fibrosis

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection:

Immediate release:

6 years or older:

25 to less than 40 kg: 250 mg orally on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays

40 kg or more: 500 mg orally on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays

If side effects are intolerable, the dose should be decreased to twice a week, or if necessary, once a week.

Missed dose of Azithromycin:

If you are using Zithromax regularly and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. Then use any remaining doses for that day at regularly spaced intervals. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store Azithromycin:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Azithromycin Side effects:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zithromax:

Hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

Diarrhea that is watery or bloody; chest pain, uneven heartbeats; nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious Zithromax side effects may include:

Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; stomach pain or upset; dizziness, tired feeling, or headache; nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia); vaginal itching or discharge; mild itching or skin rash; ringing in your ears, problems with hearing; or decreased sense of taste or smell.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.