Azithromycin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Zithromax
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For azithromycin, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to azithromycin or to any related medicines such as erythromycin.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Azithromycin has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, azithromycin has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems
in animal studies.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether azithromycin passes into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of children up to the age of 16. In effective doses, the medicine has not
been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested in a limited number
of elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects
or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
azithromycin, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Antacids, aluminum- and magnesium-containing - Antacids may decrease
the amount of azithromycin in the blood, which may decrease its effects. To
avoid problems, azithromycin should be taken at least 1 hour before or at
least 2 hours after antacids
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of azithromycin. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Liver disease - Patients with severe liver disease may have an
increased chance of side effects
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