Azithromycin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Zithromax
Proper Use of This MedicineAzithromycin
capsules and pediatric oral suspension should be taken at least 1 hour before
or at least 2 hours after meals. Azithromycin tablets and adult single dose
oral suspension may be taken with or without food.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking
azithromycin for the full time of treatment
, even if you begin to feel
better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms
may return.
Dosing - The dose of azithromycin 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 azithromycin. If your dose is different,
do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules or tablets or the amount of suspension that you
take depends on the medical problem for which you are taking azithromycin.
-
For the capsule
dosage form:
-
For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams
(mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For chlamydia infections:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1000 mg taken
once as a single dose.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For the oral suspension
dosage form:
-
For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections:
-
Adults and adolescents - 1 gram taken once as a single dose.
-
Children 6 months to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For gonococcal infections:
-
Adults and adolescents - 2 grams taken once as a single dose.
-
Children 6 months to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For otitis media and pneumonia:
-
Children 6 months to 12 years of age - 10 milligrams (mg) per
kilogram (kg) (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on the first day,
then 5 mg per kg (2.2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day on days two
through five.
-
For strep throat:
-
Adults and adolescents - The oral suspension is usually not used.
Refer to azithromycin capsules or tablets.
-
Children 2 to 12 years of age - 12 mg per kg (5.4 mg per pound)
of body weight once a day for five days.
-
Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For the tablet
dosage form:
-
For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams
(mg) on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For chlamydia infections:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1000 mg taken
once as a single dose.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For prevention of Mycobacterium avium
complex
(MAC) disease:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 1200 mg once
a week.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For injection
dosage form:
-
For pelvic inflammatory disease:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 milligrams
(mg) once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
-
For pneumonia:
-
Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older - 500 mg once
a day for at least two days, injected into a vein.
-
Children up to 16 years of age - Use and dose must be determined
by your doctor.
Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as
soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - To store this medicine:
-
Keep out of the reach of children.
-
Store away from heat and direct light.
-
Store the pediatric suspension form of azithromycin in the refrigerator.
-
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.
-
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure
that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
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