Azithromycin Tablets & Suspension

Azithromycin Tablets & Suspension

What are azithromycin tablets & suspension used for?

Azithromycin can be used to treat:

• Chlamydia infections of the urethra or cervix
• Travellers’ Diarrhoea
• Chest infections, including community-acquired pneumonia and chronic bronchitis
• Ear, nose and throat infections, including tonsillitis, pharyngitis and sinusitis
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Gum infections, including periodontitis and periodontal abscesses
• Early localised Lyme disease
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, in combination with another antibiotic
• Chancroid (a bacterial genital infection causing painful sores)
• Infections caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with advanced HIV, in combination with another antibiotic

The azithromycin oral suspension is used for patients who need a liquid form, including children being treated for ear infections, pneumonia and throat infections.

Azithromycin won’t work against viral infections such as colds or flu.

How does azithromycin work?

Azithromycin belongs to a group called macrolide antibiotics. It works by blocking bacterial growth, preventing them from making the proteins they need to survive and multiply. Without these proteins, the bacteria can’t survive and your immune system is able to clear the infection.

One practical benefit of azithromycin is how it behaves in the body. It builds up in infected tissue and is slowly released over time, so it keeps working for several days after your last dose. This is why a short course, or even a single dose in the case of azithromycin chlamydia treatment, is enough to treat the infection effectively.

Who can use azithromycin?

Azithromycin tablet uses and suspension uses cover the same bacterial infections; the difference is simply the form. Azithromycin tablets are suitable for adults and adolescents weighing 45kg or more. The oral suspension is suitable for children (dose based on body weight) and for adults who can’t swallow tablets.

Don’t take azithromycin if you:

• Are allergic to azithromycin, erythromycin or any other macrolide or ketolide antibiotic
• Have previously had liver problems caused by azithromycin

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication if you:

• Have heart problems, including heart rhythm issues or cardiac insufficiency
• Have low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood
• Have liver problems
• Have myasthenia gravis, as azithromycin may worsen muscle weakness
• Have had severe diarrhoea after taking other antibiotics in the past
• Are taking ergot derivatives such as ergotamine, as these shouldn’t be used with azithromycin
• Are taking an antacid, as this may affect how azithromycin is absorbed
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Does azithromycin interact with any of my other medications?

Azithromycin can interact with a number of medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• Warfarin or other blood-thinning medicines
• Digoxin, used for heart conditions
• Ciclosporin, used to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Colchicine, used for gout
• Statins such as atorvastatin
• Ergotamine or other ergot derivatives, used for migraines. These shouldn’t be taken with azithromycin
• Medicines that affect heart rhythm, including certain antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics and antidepressants

This isn’t a complete list. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and herbal remedies you’re taking before starting azithromycin. For NHS medicines information on azithromycin, you can also visit NHS.uk.

Pregnant women should only take azithromycin if a doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks. Azithromycin passes into breast milk, so your doctor will advise if you need to stop breastfeeding during treatment.

How to Take Azithromycin Tablets & Suspension

Always take azithromycin exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. The dose of azithromycin tablets or suspension will depend on the type of infection being treated.

Complete the full course of azithromycin, even if you start to feel better before it’s finished. Stopping early can allow the infection to return.

Azithromycin 500mg Tablets

Azithromycin 500mg tablets can be taken with or without food. Taking them just before a meal may help if they upset your stomach. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

The usual doses for adults and adolescents weighing 45kg or more are:

• Chlamydia of the urethra or cervix: 1000mg as a single dose
• Chancroid: 1000mg as a single dose
• Most other infections (including chest, ear, throat and skin infections): one 500mg tablet once daily for 3 days, or one 500mg tablet on day 1 followed by 250mg once daily on days 2 to 5
• Chronic prostate infection caused by chlamydia: 500mg daily on 3 consecutive days per week, for 3 weeks
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: 250mg once daily to complete a 7-day course of treatment, following an initial intravenous treatment

Azithromycin Suspension

The azithromycin suspension should be shaken well before each dose. Use the dosing device provided to measure the correct amount, as using something like a household teaspoon won’t be accurate enough. It can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you exactly how much azithromycin to give and how often.

Side Effects of Azithromycin

Like all medicines, azithromycin can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.

Very Common Side Effects (May Affect More than 1 in 10 People)

• Diarrhoea
• Stomach discomfort

Common side effects (May Affect Up to 1 in 10 People)

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain

Uncommon side effects (May Affect Up to 1 in 100 People)

• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes to taste or smell
• Pins and needles or numbness
• Palpitations
• Constipation, wind or indigestion
• Rash or itching
• Tiredness or weakness
• Thrush (fungal infection of the mouth or vagina)

Serious Side Effects

Stop taking azithromycin and get medical help straight away if you notice any of the following:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, throat or lips, or a widespread rash
• An irregular or rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting
• Severe diarrhoea with stomach cramps, blood in your stools or fever, which may be a sign of bowel inflammation
• Signs of liver problems, including dark urine, loss of appetite or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• Serious skin reactions, including widespread blistering, peeling or sores affecting the mouth, throat or eyes

You can report any side effects to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Azithromycin can affect your ability to drive or use machinery, as it may cause dizziness, drowsiness or visual disturbances in some people. Take care until you know how it affects you.

Azithromycin Tablets & Suspension Ingredients

Tablets

Active ingredient: Azithromycin dihydrate (250mg or 500mg per tablet)

Other ingredients: Calcium hydrogen phosphate, pregelatinised maize starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), triacetin

Suspension

Active ingredient: Azithromycin dihydrate (200mg per 5ml when reconstituted)

Other ingredients: Aspartame, colloidal anhydrous silica, banana flavour, cherry flavour, hydroxypropylcellulose, sucrose, trisodium phosphate anhydrous, vanilla flavour, xanthan gum

Warnings and Precautions

• If you develop diarrhoea during treatment, speak to your doctor before taking anything to treat it.
• Azithromycin may worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis. Tell your doctor if you have this condition before starting treatment.
• In some cases, azithromycin can allow other bacteria or fungi not sensitive to it to grow. Your doctor may monitor you for signs of this during treatment.
• If you’re being treated for a sexually transmitted infection, your doctor may also test for syphilis, as it can sometimes be present alongside other STIs and go undetected.
• Only take azithromycin for the infection it has been prescribed for. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily or failing to complete the course of treatment can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
• Store at room temperature. Once the suspension has been prepared, store it between 5°C and 30°C and discard any unused portion after 10 days.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Don’t use after the expiry date on the packaging.