azithromycin (redirected from Z-max)

azithromycin /az·ith·ro·my·cin/ (az-ith″ro-mi´sin) a macrolideantibiotic derived from erythromycin, effective against a wide range of gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria.

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azithromycin,

a macrolide antibiotic that suppresses the formation of protein by bacteria, retards bacterial growth, or causes death of the microorganisms. It does not suppress hepatic metabolism of other drugs like the macrolide prototype erythromycin and has a very long half-life, which makes it an appealing therapy against susceptible microorganisms.

indications It is prescribed in the treatment of mild to moderate infections by certain bacteria in adults, including respiratory tract infections, skin disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases.

contraindications The drug should not be given to patients with allergies to erythromycin or any macrolide antibiotics or with kidney or liver diseases. Its safety has not been established for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

adverse effects The side effects most often reported include diarrhea, loose stools, nausea, stomach pains, or vomiting.

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azithromycin [az-ith″ro-mi´sin]

a macrolide antibiotic derived from erythromycin, effective against a wide range of gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria; administered orally or intravenously.

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azithromycin (zith´rōmī´sin),

n brand name: Zithromax;
drug class: macrolide antibiotic;
action: binds to 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and suppresses protein synthesis; similar spectrum of activity to erythromycin;
uses: infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract, uncomplicated skin infections.

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azithromycin

a macrolide antibiotic used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

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azithromycin, azithromycin dihydrate

Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax

Pharmacologic class: Macrolide

Therapeutic class: Anti-infective

Pregnancy risk category B

Action

Bactericidal and bacteriostatic; inhibits protein synthesis after binding with 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms. Demonstrates cross-resistance to erythromycin-resistant gram-positive strains and resistance to most strains of Enterococcus faecalis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Availability

Capsules: 250 mg, 500 mg

Oral suspension: 100 mg/5 ml in 15-ml bottles; 200 mg/5 ml in 15-ml, 22.5-ml, and 30-ml bottles

Powder for injection: 500 mg in 10-ml vials

Powder for oral suspension: 100 mg/5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml, 1,000 mg/packet

Tablets: 250 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg

Tablets (Tri-Pak): three 500-mg tablets

Tablets (Z-Pak): six 250-mg tablets

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Mild community-acquired pneumonia, uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections

Adults: 500 mg P.O. on first day, then 250 mg/day for next 4 days, to a total dosage of 1.5 g

Children ages 6 months and older: 10 mg/kg P.O. (no more than 500 mg/dose) on day 1, then 5 mg/kg (no more than 250 mg/dose) for 4 more days

➣ Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, and S. aureus

Adults and adolescents ages 16 and older: 500 mg I.V. daily for at least two doses, then 500 mg P.O. daily for a total of 7 to 10 days

Children ages 6 months to 16 years: 10 mg/kg P.O. as a single dose on day 1, then 5 mg/kg P.O. on days 2 through 5

➣ Pharyngitis and tonsillitis

Adults: 500 mg P.O. on day 1, then 250 mg/day for next 4 days, to a total dosage of 1.5 g

Children ages 2 and older: 12 mg/kg P.O. daily for 5 days. Maximum dosage is 500 mg.

➣ Mild to moderate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Adults: 500 mg/day for 3 days or 500 mg P.O. on day 1, then 250 mg P.O. daily on days 2 through 5

➣ Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Mycoplasma hominis

Adults: 500 mg I.V. daily on days 1 and 2, then 250 mg P.O. daily for a total of 7 days. If anaerobes are suspected, give continually with appropriate anti-anaerobic antibiotic, as ordered.

➣ Nongonococcal urethritis or cervicitis caused by C. trachomatis; genital ulcers caused by Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)

Adults: 1 g P.O. as a single dose

➣ Urethritis and cervicitis caused by N. gonorrhoeae

Adults: 2 g P.O. as a single dose

➣ To prevent disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex disease in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus

Adults: 1.2 g P.O. once weekly (given alone or with rifabutin)

➣ Acute otitis media

Children ages 6 months and older: 30 mg/kg as a single dose or 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days; or 10 mg/kg as a single dose on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg on days 2 through 5

Off-label uses

• Uncomplicated gonococcal infections of cervix, urethra, rectum, and pharynx

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug, erythromycin, or other macrolide anti-infectives

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• severe hepatic impairment, severe renal insufficiency, prolonged QT interval
• breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity testing before starting therapy.
• Administer tablets and single-dose packets with or without food.
• Give oral suspension 1 hour before meals or 2 hours afterward. With 1-g packet, mix entire contents in 2 oz of water.
☞ Don't administer as I.V. bolus or I.M. injection.
• For I.V. use, reconstitute 500-mg vial with 4.8 ml of sterile water for injection.
• As appropriate, dilute solution further using normal or half-normal saline solution, dextrose 5% in water, or lactated Ringer's solution.
• Infuse injection over no less than 60 minutes. Infuse 1 mg/ml over 3 hours or 2 mg/2 ml over 1 hour.
• Know that 1,000-mg packet isn't for pediatric use.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Rapid	2.5-3.2 hr	24 hr
I.V.	Rapid	End of infusion	24 hr

Adverse reactions

CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, vertigo

CV: chest pain, palpitations

GI: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cholestatic jaundice, dyspepsia, flatulence, melena, pseudomembranous colitis

GU: nephritis, vaginitis, candidiasis

Metabolic: hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia

Skin: photosensitivity, rashes, angioedema

Interactions

Drug-drug. Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium: decreased peak azithromycin blood level

Carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, hexobarbital, phenytoin, theophylline, triazolam: increased blood levels of these drugs

Pimozide: prolonged QT interval, ventricular tachycardia

Warfarin: increased International Normalized Ratio

Drug-food. Any food: decreased absorption of multidose oral suspension

Drug-behaviors. Sun exposure: photosensitivity

Patient monitoring

• Monitor temperature, white blood cell count, and culture and sensitivity results.
• Assess for signs and symptoms of infection.

Patient teaching

• Tell patient he may take tablets with or without food.
• Advise patient to take suspension 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Remind patient to complete entire course of therapy as ordered, even after symptoms improve.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, foods, and behaviors mentioned above.

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azithromycin

Zithromax^® Infectious disease A broad-spectrum once-daily advanced-generation macrolide antibiotic used to manage community-acquired and other pneumonias caused by S pneumoniae, H influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, C pneumoniae, M pneumoniae, chlamydial infections, UTIs, MAC, possibly also toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidiosis Adverse effects Diarrhea, N&V, abdominal pain, vertigo, photosensitivity, hearing loss, injection site pain Relative contraindications Cystic fibrosis, nosocomial infections, bacteremia, elderly, debilitated Pts. See Community-acquired pneumonia.