Brand Names

How to Use

Azithromycin capsules and pediatric oral suspension must be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals. Azithromycin tablets and adult single dose oral suspension may be taken with or without food.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking azithromycin for the full time of treat , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this drug too soon, your symptoms may return.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets or the amount of suspension that you take depends on the medical problem for which you are taking azithromycin.

• For the capsule dosage form:
  • For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia and skin infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 500 milligrams - mg on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For chlamydia infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

• For the oral suspension dosage form:
  • For chancroid in men and chlamydia infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 1 gram taken once as a single dose.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For gonococcal infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 2 grams taken once as a single dose.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For otitis media and pneumonia:
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age 10 milligrams - mg per kilogram - kg - 4.5 mg per pound of body weight once a day on the first day, then 5 mg per kg - 2.2 mg per pound of body weight once a day on days two through five.
  • For strep throat:
    • Adults and adolescents The oral suspension is usually not using. Refer to azithromycin capsules or tablets.
    • Children 2 to 12 years of age 12 mg per kg - 5.4 mg per pound of body weight once a day for five days.
    • Children up to 2 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

• For the tablet dosage form:
  • For bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia and skin infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 500 milligrams - mg on the first day, then 250 mg once a day on days two through five.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For chlamydia infections:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 1000 mg taken once as a single dose.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex - MAC disease:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 1200 mg once a week.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For pelvic inflammatory disease:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 500 milligrams - mg once a day for one or two days, injected into a vein.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For pneumonia:
    • Adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older 500 mg once a day for at least two days, injected into a vein.
    • Children up to 16 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Store the pediatric suspension form of azithromycin in the refrigerator.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.