Azithromycin (By injection)
ay-zith-roe-MYE-sin
Treats infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is a macrolide antibiotic.
Drug classes
Antibiotic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Azithromycin injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Azithromycin belongs to the class of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. Azithromycin injection may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, azithromycin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
Trachoma (treatment).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for about an hour.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Your doctor may give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you may be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how azithromycin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
An ergot medicine, such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine Blood thinner medicine, such as warfarin Cyclosporine Digoxin Medicine for a heart rhythm problem, such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol Nelfinavir Seizure medicine, such as phenytoinWhen Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to azithromycin, erythromycin, or any other macrolide or ketolide antibiotic (such as clarithromycin, telithromycin). Do not use this medicine if you had liver problems from azithromycin.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney, liver, or heart disease, heart rhythm problems, heart failure, low potassium or magnesium levels, or myasthenia gravis.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Heart rhythm changes, such as a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat Liver problems Serious skin reactionsThis medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Diarrhea may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Chest pain, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Double vision, muscle weakness
Fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness
Pain, redness, itching, burning, or swelling where the needle is placed
Severe diarrhea that may contain blood, black stools
Unusual tiredness or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Amerinet Choice Zithromax, PremierPro Rx Azithromycin, Zithromax
There may be other brand names for this medicine.