Zithromax is one of the most popular antibiotics on the market right now, mainly due to its convenient dosing schedule. Zithromax has a very long half-life in the body, which means that it takes a long time for it to be eliminated. This means that even after the last dose has been taken, the antibiotic action continues in the body for approximately five more days. Fortunately, due to the short treatment time, compliance with the medication regimen is much better than with other antibiotics. Unfortunately, as with all new antibiotics, Zithromax is being prescribed inappropriately, which in very short order will lead to azithromycin-resistant strains of bacteria.
Zithromax, Brand name of azithromycin (macrolide antibiotic)
Indications
mild to moderate infections due to susceptible organisms in bacterial exacerbation of COPD, mild community-acquired outpatient pneumonia, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, uncomplicated skin infections, urethritis and cervicitis due to C. trachomatis or N. gonorrheae, chancroid ulcer disease in men, mycobacterium avium complex prevention and treatment, children over 6 mos old: acute otitis media, children over 2 yrs old: pharyngitis/tonsillitis
Dosage for adults
mild to moderate infections due to susceptible organisms in bacterial exacerbation of COPD, mild community-acquired outpatient pneumonia, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, uncomplicated skin infections: Z-Pak (500 mg on day 1, 250 mg daily on days 2-5)
urethritis and cervicitis due to C. trachomatis or N. gonorrheae, chancroid ulcer disease in men: 1 g as single dose
mycobacterium avium complex prevention: 1200 mg once weekly
mycobacterium avium complex treatment: 600 mg daily
Dosage for children
children over 6 months: acute OM: 30 mg/kg as single dose, or 10 mg/kg daily for 3 days, or 10 mg/kg on day 1, then 5 mg/kg daily on days 2-5
community-acquired pneumonia: 10 mg/kg on day 1, then 5 mg/kg daily on days 2-5
children over 2 yrs: pharyngitis/tonsillitis: 12 mg/kg daily for 5 days
How supplied
tablets: 250 mg, 600 mg
oral suspension: 1 g single-use packets, 300 mg (100 mg/5 ml), 600, 900, 1200 mg (200 mg/5 ml)
Additional Information
should not be used for pneumonia with risk factors such as cystic fibrosis, bacteremia, nosocomial infection, elderly, debilitated, hospitalization due to moderate/severe illness, immunodeficiency
Date of most recent Update
October 15, 2002
Further information is available in the writeup for the
generic name(s) of this medication