
(ay zi thro my’ sin)
AzaSite, Zithromax, Zmax
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug class
Macrolide antibiotic
Therapeutic Actions
Bacteriostatic or bactericidal in susceptible bacteria; interferes with protein synthesis.
Indications
Treatment of lower respiratory infections: Acute bacterial exacerbations of COPD due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae; community-acquired pneumonia due to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Treatment of lower respiratory infections: Streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes in those who cannot take penicillins
Treatment of genital ulcer disease caused by Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid) in men
Treatment of uncomplicated skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, S. pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae
Treatment of nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis; treatment of PID
Treatment of otitis media caused by H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae in children older than 6 mo
Treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes in children older than 2 yr who cannot use first-line therapy
Prevention and treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in patients with advanced HIV infection
Treatment of patients with mild to moderate acute bacterial sinusitis caused by H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae (Zmax)
Treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia caused by C. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. pneumoniae, S. pneumoniae (Zmax)
Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis (AzaSite)
Unlabeled uses: Uncomplicated gonococcal infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae, gonococcal pharyngitis caused by N. gonorrhoeae, chlamydial infections caused by C. trachomatis, prophylaxis after sexual attack, babesiosis, early Lyme disease, granuloma inguinale, treatment of cholera in adults, treatment of cystic fibrosis (as an anti-inflammatory)
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, or any macrolide antibiotic, mild to moderate pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, bacteremia, immunocompromised patients, elderly patients.
Available Forms
Tablets–250, 500, 600 mg; powder for injection—500 mg; injection—2.5 g; powder for oral suspension–100 mg/5 mL, 200 mg/5 mL, 1 g/packet; bottles for oral suspension—2 g to be reconstituted with 60 mL water (Zmax); ophthalmic solution—1%