Zithromax IV

Generic name: Azithromycin (oral/injection)
Drug class: Macrolides

Usage of Zithromax IV

Zithromax IV is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, including infections of the lungs, sinus, throat, tonsils, skin, urinary tract, cervix, or genitals.

Zithromax IV may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Zithromax IV side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Zithromax IV may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or

liver problems--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

Call your doctor right away if a baby taking Zithromax IV becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Common side effects of Zithromax IV may include:

nausea, vomiting; or

stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Zithromax IV

You should not use Zithromax IV if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had:

jaundice or liver problems caused by taking Zithromax IV; or

a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.

Zithromax IV oral should not be used to treat pneumonia in people who have:

cystic fibrosis;

an infection after being in a hospital;

an infection in the blood;

a weak immune system (caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS or cancer); or

in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

pneumonia;

liver or kidney disease;

myasthenia gravis;

low levels of potassium in your blood;

a heart rhythm disorder; or

long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

It is not known whether this medicine is effective in treating genital ulcers in women.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Taking Zithromax IV while breastfeeding may cause diarrhea, vomiting, or rash in the nursing baby.

Zithromax IV is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old. This medicine should not be used to treat a throat or tonsil infection in a child younger than 2 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Zithromax IV

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Zithromax IV oral is taken by mouth. This medicine injection is given as an infusion into a vein, usually for 2 days before you switch to this medicine oral. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may take Zithromax IV oral with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use Zithromax IV for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Zithromax IV will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused liquid medicine after 10 days.

Warnings

You should not use Zithromax IV if you have ever had an allergic reaction, jaundice, or liver problems while taking Zithromax IV. You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.

What other drugs will affect Zithromax IV

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

colchicine;

digoxin;

nelfinavir;

phenytoin;

an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium--Acid Gone, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, and others; or

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Zithromax IV, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.