Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Azithromycin (Altamed Pharma)
What is AZITHROMYCIN used for?
AZITHROMYCIN is an antibiotic medicine used to treat the following types of mild to moderate infections by certain microorganisms in adults such as bronchitis, certain types of skin infections, strep throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), genitourinary infections, disseminated mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with HIV, and pneumonia.
Antibacterial drugs like AZITHROMYCIN treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. Although you may feel better early in treatment, AZITHROMYCIN should be taken exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of AZITHROMYCIN could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by AZITHROMYCIN (resistance). This means that AZITHROMYCIN may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.
How does AZITHROMYCIN work?
AZITHROMYCIN helps stop the growth of the bacteria that cause infection. It gets into infected tissue where it is released slowly over time so the medicine keeps fighting bacteria for many days after the last dose is taken. This is why AZITHROMYCIN may be taken for as short a time as one day.
What are the ingredients in AZITHROMYCIN?
Medicinal ingredients: Azithromycin dihydrate
Non-medicinal ingredients:
AZITHROMYCIN Tablets 250 mg contain azithromycin dihydrate equivalent to 250 mg azithromycin and the following inactive ingredients: Dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, Pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, triacetin and D&C Red #30 Aluminum lake.
AZITHROMYCIN Tablets 600 mg contain azithromycin dihydrate equivalent to 600 mg azithromycin and the following inactive ingredients: Dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, Pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.
AZITHROMYCIN comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 250 mg, 600 mg
Do not use AZITHROMYCIN if you:
- have a history of liver problems when you have used azithromycin.
- are hypersensitive (allergic) to azithromycin, or any macrolide or ketolide antibiotic (including erythromycin) or any other ingredient of AZITHROMYCIN (see What are the ingredients in AZITHROMYCIN?).
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take AZITHROMYCIN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have a known prolonged heart cycle (interval) (QT prolongation)
- are currently taking medication known to prolong QT interval (prolong your heart cycle) such as antiarrhythmics (drugs to regulate your heart beat such as class IA: quinidine, procainamide and class III; dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol); antipsychotic agents; antidepressants; and fluoroquinolones (a class of antibiotics)
- have a history of life-threatening irregular heart beat
- have constantly low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
- have a history for heart problems such as slow heart rate, irregular heart beat or cardiac insufficiency (your heart has a hard time pumping blood to your body)
are pregnant or think you are pregnant,
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Azithromycin has been reported to be excreted in human breast milk. It is not known if AZITHROMYCIN could affect your baby. Discuss with your doctor.
- have ever had any liver or kidney problems
- have a weak immune system
- have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicines, including antibiotics such as erythromycin
- have myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease which causes muscle weakness)
- have hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption as this product contains lactose.
Other warnings you should know about:
You should begin to feel better within the first few days, but be sure to take AZITHROMYCIN for the full number of days your doctor prescribed. Although AZITHROMYCIN’s dosing is short, you should not expect AZITHROMYCIN to work faster than other antibiotics which are dosed up to 10 days. If you stop taking AZITHROMYCIN too soon, your infection could come back. The next infection may be worse and be more difficult to treat. If you are not able to take all the medicine, tell your doctor.
If you develop diarrhea during or after treatment with AZITHROMYCIN, tell your doctor at once. Do not use any medicine to treat your diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with AZITHROMYCIN:
- Warfarin (or other anticoagulant medicine);
- Cyclosporin (used to suppress the immune system to prevent and treat rejection in organ or bone marrow transplants);
- Digoxin (used for treatment of heart problem);
- Nelfinavir (used for treatment of HIV infections);
- Ergotamine and ergot derivatives (used for migraine treatment). Ergotamine and ergot derivatives should not be used with AZITHROMYCIN.
Some medicines may affect how well AZITHROMYCIN works. Check with your doctor before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including natural/herbal remedies or antacids, while on AZITHROMYCIN.
How to take AZITHROMYCIN:
Always take AZITHROMYCIN as the doctor has prescribed for you, depending on the specific condition you have.
AZITHROMYCIN can be taken with or without food.
Usual adult dose:
If your doctor prescribes AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 3 days for treatment of bronchitis:
Days 1 through 3: Take two tablets each day.
If your doctor prescribes the 5 day AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 5 days for treatment of respiratory tract infections or certain types of skin infections:
Day 1: Take 2 tablets once.
Day 2 through 5: Take 1 tablet daily.
If your doctor prescribes AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 1 day for treatment of genital ulcers or non-gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis:
Days 1: Take four tablets once.
If your doctor prescribes AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg tablets for 1 day for treatment of gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis:
Days 1: Take eight tablets once.
If your doctor prescribes AZITHROMYCIN 600 mg tablets for prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease:
Take two tablets once weekly.
Overdose:
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose, call your pharmacist or doctor. Do not double dose.
What are possible side effects from using AZITHROMYCIN?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking AZITHROMYCIN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Diarrhea/loose stools
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
COMMON Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe diarrhea (bloody or watery) with or without fever, abdominal pain, or tenderness | √ | |||
UNCOMMON Abnormal heart rhythm: feel your heart beating in your chest, abnormal heartbeat, dizziness or feeling faint | √ | |||
| Severe allergic reaction: trouble | √ | |||
If you think you have taken too much AZITHROMYCIN, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
| breathing, swelling of the face, mouth, throat, neck, severe skin rash or blisters | |||
| Liver disorder: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine | √ | ||
| Myasthenia gravis: muscle weakness, drooping eyelid, vision changes, difficulty chewing and swallowing, trouble breathing | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Store AZITHROMYCIN at controlled room temperature (between 15-30ºC).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about AZITHROMYCIN:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (www.healthcanada.gc.ca); the manufacturer’s website http://www.Altamedpharma.ca , or by calling 1-877-352-7314
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Store ZITHROMAX at controlled room temperature (between 15-30ºC).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.