Azithromycin injectable

Therapeutic action

Macrolide antibacterial.

Indications

Macrolide-sensitive severe infections, when oral administration is not possible, such as sepsis and diphtheria.

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• Powder for injection, in 500 mg vial, dissolved in 4.8 ml of water for injection, for IV infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose.
• Do not administer by IV or IM injection.

Dose

Dilute each dose to obtain a final concentration of 2 mg/ml and administer over 60 minutes.

Duration

Change to oral treatment as soon as possible.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Once reconstituted, the solution must be used immediately; discard any unused open vial.
• Do not administer to patients with allergy to azithromycin or another macrolide, nor to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
• Administer with caution to children under 6 weeks of age and to patients with risk factors for QT prolongation.
• May cause gastrointestinal disturbances, reversible hearing disorders, electrolyte disturbances, QT prolongation, severe hypersensitivity reactions, and life-threatening hepatotoxicity.
• Avoid combination with drugs that prolong the QT interval.
• Administer with caution and monitor use in patients taking digoxin.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
• Do not mix with other drugs in the same infusion.