ZITHROMAX Film-coated tablet / Powder for suspension Ref.[10631] Active ingredients: Azithromycin

Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US)  Revision Year: 2020 

1. Indications and Usage

ZITHROMAX (azithromycin) is a macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. Recommended dosages and durations of therapy in adult and pediatric patient populations vary in these indications [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

1.1 Adult Patients

  • Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Acute bacterial sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis. or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae. or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy.
  • Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy.
  • Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae.
  • Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • Genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid). Due to the small number of women included in clinical trials, the efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of chancroid in women has not been established.

1.2 Pediatric Patients

[see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) and Clinical Studies (14.2)]

  • Acute otitis media (6 months of age) caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Community-acquired pneumonia (6 months of age) due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy.
  • Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (2 years of age) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy.

1.3 Limitations of Use

Azithromycin should not be used in patients with pneumonia who are judged to be inappropriate for oral therapy because of moderate to severe illness or risk factors such as any of the following:

  • patients with cystic fibrosis,
  • patients with nosocomial infections,
  • patients with known or suspected bacteremia,
  • patients requiring hospitalization,
  • elderly or debilitated patients, or
  • patients with significant underlying health problems that may compromise their ability to respond to their illness (including immunodeficiency or functional asplenia).

1.4 Usage

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ZITHROMAX (azithromycin) and other antibacterial drugs, ZITHROMAX (azithromycin) should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

2. Dosage and Administration

2.1 Adult Patients

[see Indications and Usage (1.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]

Infection* Recommended Dose/Duration of Therapy
Community-acquired pneumonia Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (second-line therapy)
Skin/skin structure (uncomplicated)
500 mg as a single dose on Day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on Days 2 through 5
Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 500 mg once daily for 3 days
OR
500 mg as a single dose on Day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on Days 2 through 5
Acute bacterial sinusitis 500 mg once daily for 3 days
Genital ulcer disease (chancroid) One single 1 gram dose
Non-gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis One single 1 gram dose
Gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis One single 2 gram dose

* DUE TO THE INDICATED ORGANISMS [see Indications and Usage (1.1)]

ZITHROMAX tablets can be taken with or without food.

2.2 Pediatric Patients1

Infection* Recommended Dose/Duration of Therapy
Acute otitis media 30 mg/kg as a single dose or 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days or 10 mg/kg as a single dose on Day 1 followed by 5 mg/kg/day on Days 2 through 5.
Acute bacterial sinusitis 10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days.
Community-acquired pneumonia 10 mg/kg as a single dose on Day 1 followed by 5 mg/kg once daily on Days 2 through 5.
Pharyngitis/tonsillitis 12 mg/kg once daily for 5 days.

1 see dosing tables below for maximum doses evaluated by indication
* DUE TO THE INDICATED ORGANISMS [see Indications and Usage (1.2)]

ZITHROMAX for oral suspension can be taken with or without food.

PEDIATRIC DOSAGE GUIDELINES FOR OTITIS MEDIA, ACUTE BACTERIAL SINUSITIS, AND COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA (Age 6 months and above, [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]) Based on Body Weight

OTITIS MEDIA AND COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA: (5-Day Regimen)*:

Dosing Calculated on 10 mg/kg/day Day 1 and 5 mg/kg/day Days 2 to 5.
Weight 100 mg/5 mL 200 mg/5 mL Total mL per Treatment Course Total mg per Treatment Course
Kg Day 1 Days 2–5 Day 1 Days 2–5
5 2.5 mL; (½ tsp) 1.25 mL;(¼ tsp)   7.5 mL 150 mg
10 5 mL; (1tsp) 2.5 mL; (½ tsp)   15 mL 300 mg
20   5 mL; (1 tsp) 2.5 mL; (½ tsp) 15 mL 600 mg
30   7.5 mL; (1½ tsp) 3.75 mL; (¾ tsp) 22.5 mL 900 mg
40   10 mL; (2 tsp) 5 mL; (1 tsp) 30 mL 1200 mg
50 and above  12.5 mL; (2½ tsp) 6.25 mL; (1¼ tsp) 37.5 mL 1500 mg

* Effectiveness of the 3-day or 1-day regimen in pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia has not been established.

OTITIS MEDIA AND ACUTE BACTERIAL SINUSITIS: (3-Day Regimen)*:

Dosing Calculated on 10 mg/kg/day.
Weight 100 mg/5 mL 200 mg/5 mL Total mL per Treatment Course Total mg per Treatment Course
Kg Days 1–3 Days 1–3
5 2.5 mL; (½ tsp)  7.5 mL 150 mg
10 5 mL; (1 tsp)  15 mL 300 mg
20  5 mL (1 tsp) 15 mL 600 mg
30  7.5 mL (1½ tsp) 22.5 mL 900 mg
40  10 mL (2 tsp) 30 mL 1200 mg
50 and above  12.5 mL (2 ½ tsp) 37.5 mL 1500 mg

* Effectiveness of the 3-day or 1-day regimen in pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia has not been established.

OTITIS MEDIA: (1-Day Regimen):

Dosing Calculated on 30 mg/kg as a single dose.
Weight 200 mg/5 mL Total mL per Treatment Course Total mg per Treatment Course
Kg 1-Day Regimen
5 3.75 mL;(¾ tsp) 3.75 mL 150 mg
10 7.5 mL;(1½ tsp) 7.5 mL 300 mg
20 15 mL;(3 tsp) 15 mL 600 mg
30 22.5 mL;(4½ tsp) 22.5 mL 900 mg
40 30 mL;(6 tsp) 30 mL 1200 mg
50 and above 37.5 mL;(7½ tsp) 37.5 mL 1500 mg

The safety of re-dosing azithromycin in pediatric patients who vomit after receiving 30 mg/kg as a single dose has not been established. In clinical studies involving 487 patients with acute otitis media given a single 30 mg/kg dose of azithromycin, 8 patients who vomited within 30 minutes of dosing were re-dosed at the same total dose.

2.2.101 SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: The recommended dose of ZITHROMAX for children with pharyngitis/tonsillitis is 12 mg/kg once daily for 5 days. (See chart below.)

PEDIATRIC DOSAGE GUIDELINES FOR PHARYNGITIS/TONSILLITIS (Age 2 years and above, [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]) Based on Body Weight

PHARYNGITIS/TONSILLITIS: (5-Day Regimen):

Dosing Calculated on 12 mg/kg/day for 5 days.
Weight 200 mg/5 mL Total mL per Treatment Course Total mg per Treatment Course
Kg Day 1–5
8 2.5 mL; (½ tsp) 12.5 mL 500 mg
17 5 mL; (1 tsp) 25 mL 1000 mg
25 7.5 mL; (1½ tsp) 37.5 mL 1500 mg
33 10 mL; (2 tsp) 50 mL 2000 mg
40 12.5 mL; (2½ tsp) 62.5 mL 2500 mg

Constituting instructions for ZITHROMAX Oral Suspension 300, 600, 900, 1200 mg bottles. The table below indicates the volume of water to be used for constitution:

Amount of water to be added Total volume after constitution
(azithromycin content)
Azithromycin concentration after constitution
9 mL (300 mg) 15 mL (300 mg) 100 mg/5 mL
9 mL (600 mg) 15 mL (600 mg) 200 mg/5 mL
12 mL (900 mg) 22.5 mL (900 mg) 200 mg/5 mL
15 mL (1200 mg) 30 mL (1200 mg) 200 mg/5 mL

Shake well before each use. Oversized bottle provides shake space. Keep tightly closed.

After mixing, store suspension at 5° to 30°C (41° to 86°F) and use within 10 days. Discard after full dosing is completed.

10. Overdosage

Adverse reactions experienced at higher than recommended doses were similar to those seen at normal doses particularly nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. In the event of overdosage, general symptomatic and supportive measures are indicated as required.

16.2. Storage and Handling

Store dry powder below 30°C (86°F). Store constituted suspension between 5° to 30°C (41° to 86°F) and discard when full dosing is completed.

© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.