| Azithromycin
Info
Generic Name: Azithromycin Injection (az-ith-roe-MYE-sin)
Brand Name: Zithromax Azithromycin is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also
be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It slows the growth
of, or sometimes kills, sensitive bacteria by reducing the production
of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Do NOT use Azithromycin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Azithromycin or to
other macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin)
you are taking pimozide Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any
of these apply to you.
Before using Azithromycin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Azithromycin . Tell
your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding.
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement.
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances.
if you have liver or kidney problems or abnormal heart rhythms Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Azithromycin . Tell your health
care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following:
Nelfinavir because it may increase the risk of Azithromycin
's side effects
Rifampin because it may decrease Azithromycin 's effectiveness
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, disopyramide, pimozide, or rifampin
because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Azithromycin
Theophylline because blood levels may temporarily decrease after stopping
Azithromycin This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may
occur. Ask your health care provider if Azithromycin may interact
with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care
provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Azithromycin :
Use Azithromycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Azithromycin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's
office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Azithromycin
at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it.
Be sure you understand how to use Azithromycin . Follow the procedures
you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care
provider if you have any questions.
Do not use Azithromycin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored,
or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children
and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health
care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local
rules for disposal.
To clear up your infection completely, use Azithromycin for the full course
of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Azithromycin , use it as soon as possible. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about
how to use Azithromycin .
Important safety information:
Azithromycin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision,
or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it
with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution.
Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you
know how you react to it.
Azithromycin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun,
sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Azithromycin .
Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more
than a short time.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your
doctor.
Long-term or repeated use of Azithromycin may cause a second infection. Tell
your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to
be changed to treat this.
Be sure to use Azithromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not,
the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could
also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the
infection harder to treat in the future.
Azithromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections
(eg, the common cold).
Azithromycin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than
16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Azithromycin while
you are pregnant. It is not known if Azithromycin is found in breast milk.
If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Azithromycin , check with
your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Azithromycin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no,
or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these
most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; headache; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side
effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face,
lips, or tongue); bloody stools; chest pain; dark red raised
areas of the skin; hearing loss; pounding in the chest; ringing
in the ears; severe diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; yellowing
of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.
If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects,
contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side
effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control
Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea;
nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.
Proper storage of Azithromycin :
Azithromycin is usually handled and stored by a health care
provider. If you are using Azithromycin at home, store Azithromycin
as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep
Azithromycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Azithromycin , please talk
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Azithromycin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people. Do not use Azithromycin for other health
conditions.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse,
check with your doctor. This information is a summary only. It does not contain all
information about Azithromycin . If you have questions about
the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. |
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