AZITHROMYCIN

Macrolide antibacterial with fewer gastrointestinal side-effects than erythromycin

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

250 mg
500 mg

Oral suspension

200 mg/5ml

Uses

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  • Gonococcal eye infection
  • Trachoma
  • Bacterial tonsillitis and bronchitis (second line to amoxicillin, e.g. in penicillin-allergic patients)
  • Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections
  • Non-gonococcal urethritis
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Otitis media
  • Skin and soft-tissue infection
  • Lyme disease

Dose and Duration

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Trachoma and gonococcal eye infection (in combination with doxycycline and tetracycline eye ointment)
Adult > 45kg:1 g single dose
Adult <45 kg and child >6months:20 mg/kg single dose
Bacterial tonsillitis and bronchitis
Adult and child >45 kg: 500 mg once daily for 3 days
Child >6 months:10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days (Maximum 500 mg per day)
Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections and non gonococcal urethritis
Adult: 1 g single dose

Contraindications

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  • Allergy to azithromycin or erythromycin
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease

Side Effects

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  • Stomach upset, tooth and tongue discoloration, taste disturbances
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, weakness, paraesthesia
  • Leucopoenia

Interactions

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  • Artemether/lumefantrine (increased risk of irregular heartbeat )

Patient Instructions

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  • Tablets should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food
  • Oral suspension can be taken with food
  • Give at least 2 hours apart from magnesium trisilicate compound

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Avoid use in severe liver disease
  • Use with caution in renal failure with eGFR less than 10 ml/minute/1.73 m²