Azithromycin

Cap & extended release microspheres: Should be taken on an empty stomach (i.e. At least one hour before food or two hours after food).
Tab & susp: May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Hypersensitivity to macrolide antibiotics. History of hepatic dysfunction/cholestatic jaundice following previous antibiotic use.

Patients with myasthenia gravis, electrolyte disturbance particularly hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia; bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, severe cardiac insufficiency, congenital or documented QT prolongation, history of torsades de pointes. Severe renal (GFR <10 mL/min) and hepatic impairment. Children. Pregnancy and lactation. Azithromycin should not be given long-term to prevent bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Patient Counselling Ophthalmic: Avoid using contact lenses during treatment. This drug may cause blurred vision, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor liver function values and blood count with differential. Perform culture and susceptibility testing before initiating therapy.

Significant: Myasthenia gravis. Ear and labyrinth disorders: Deafness. Eye disorders: Pruritus, burning, stinging of the eye or ocular discomfort, sticky eye sensation, foreign body sensation (ophthalmic). Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, dyspepsia, dysgeusia. General disorders and administration site conditions: Injection site pain, fatigue. Investigations: Decreased lymphocyte count and blood bicarbonate; increased eosinophil count, basophils, monocytes and neutrophils. Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Anorexia. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Arthralgia. Nervous system disorders: Headache, dizziness, paraesthesia. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Pruritus, rash.
Potentially Fatal: Rarely, serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), fulminant hepatitis leading to liver failure, prolonged cardiac repolarisation and QT interval, cardiac arrhythmia, torsades de pointes, Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD).

Increased risk of prolonged QT interval with class IA (e.g. quinidine, procainamide) and class III (e.g. dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmics; pimozide cisapride and terfenadine. Increased serum concentrations of digoxin, colchicine, and ciclosporin. May potentiate the effects of oral anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin).

Macrolides

J01FA10 - azithromycin ; Belongs to the class of macrolides. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.
S01AA26 - azithromycin ; Belongs to the class of antibiotics. Used in the treatment of eye infections.