Zithromax IV

Download PDF Copy

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Azithromycin (a-zithro-my-sin)

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Zithromax IV. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given Zithromax IV against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with you.

You may need to read it again.

What Zithromax IV is used for

Zithromax IV is used to treat pneumonia, a lung infection caused by certain bacteria including Legionella pneumophila.

Zithromax is an antibiotic which belongs to a group of medicines called azalides.

The azalides are a sub-class of a group of antibiotics called macrolides.

Zithromax works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria causing your infection.

Zithromax IV will not work against viral infections such as colds or flu.

Your doctor may have prescribed Zithromax IV for another reason.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Zithromax IV has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

This medicine is not addictive.

This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Before you are given Zithromax IV

When you must not be given it

You must not be given Zithromax IV if you have an allergy to:

Azithromycin or any other ketolide or macrolide antibiotic (e.g., roxithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin) or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

If you are not sure if you are allergic to any of the above, ask your doctor.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or to other parts of the body; skin rash, itching or hives.

Zithromax IV must not be given if the expiry date (EXP) or use by date printed on the pack has passed. If you take this medicine after this date, it may not work.

Zithromax IV must not be given if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If you are not sure whether you should be given Zithromax IV, talk to your doctor before you are given it.

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

any kidney problems

any liver problems

any heart problems, including abnormalities of the rhythm

muscle weakness

low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood

if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given Zithromax IV.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Zithromax IV or increase the risk of side effects. These include:

antacids (a medicine used to treat indigestion)

colchicine (a medicine used to treat gout)

coumarin-type oral anticoagulants (a medicine used to prevent blood clots)

cyclosporin (a medicine used to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat certain problems with the immune system)

digoxin (a medicine used to treat abnormal heart rhythm or heart failure)

ergot derivatives (such as ergotamine, which is used to treat migraines)

terfenadine or astemizole (medicines used to treat allergies and hayfever)

zidovudine (a medicine used to treat patients with AIDS)

diphenoxylate (Lomotil), a medicine used to treat diarrhoea

some medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmia) such as amiodarone, disopyramide, ibutilide and sotalol

antipsychotic medicines used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar mania such as haloperidol, quetiapine and risperidone

medicines used to treat depression (antidepressants) such as fluoxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine

fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin and norfloxacin.

These medicines may be affected by Zithromax or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given Zithromax IV.

Talk to your doctor about the need for additional contraception while being given Zithromax IV.

Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills, although this has not been shown with Zithromax IV.

How Zithromax IV is given

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

How much is given

Your doctor will decide how much Zithromax IV you should receive and the length of time for which you should receive it.

The usual dose of Zithromax IV is 500 mg given as an injection into a vein for 2 to 5 days. You may then be given 500 mg oral Zithromax once a day for another 2 - 7 days (to complete a 7 to 10 day course of antibiotics).

How it is given

Zithromax IV is given as an injection by a doctor or trained nurse.

Zithromax IV is a powder which is mixed with Water for Injections and then diluted by the pharmacist. It is then injected into a vein which takes approximately 60 minutes.

If too much is given (Overdose)

As Zithromax IV is given under the close supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much. If you experience any side effects tell your doctor immediately.

While you are being treated

Things you must do

If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.

If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, light-headedness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. You may need urgent medical attention.

If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Zithromax has been stopped.

Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.

If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while being given, or soon after stopping Zithromax IV, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.

This may mean you have a yeast infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Zithromax IV allows yeast to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Zithromax IV does not work against yeast.

If you become pregnant while being given Zithromax, tell your doctor.

Tell your doctor immediately if during treatment with Zithromax IV your baby develops irritability with feeding or starts vomiting.

This may be a sign of a stomach disorder in the infant.

If you are about to start any new medicines, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are being given Zithromax IV.

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being given Zithromax IV.

Things to be careful of

Protect your skin when you are in the sun, especially between 10am and 3pm.

Some macrolide antibiotics may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn.

If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a 30+ sunscreen. If your skin does appear to be burning tell your doctor immediately.

Things you must not do

Do not stop taking Zithromax or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all the organisms causing your infection may not be killed. These organisms may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or may return.

Do not give Zithromax to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not use Zithromax to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Zithromax.

Like other medicines, Zithromax IV can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.

Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

While taking it

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

pain or inflammation at the site of infusion and pain during infusion

oral thrush - white, furry, sore tongue and mouth

vaginal thrush - sore and itchy vagina and/or white discharge

nausea (feeling sick), loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, wind, constipation, loose bowel motions

dizziness, headache, spinning sensation

tiredness, drowsiness, fatigue

muscle or joint aches

rash

hearing loss or ringing in the ears

altered taste and smell.

These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

severe persistent diarrhoea

fast or irregular heart beat

symptoms of sunburn such as redness, itching, swelling or blistering which may occur more quickly than normal

decreased feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin

hives, itching or skin rash

widespread body rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes

signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers

bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, reddish or purplish blotches under the skin

dark urine or blood in the urine or bowel motions

aggressive reaction, nervousness, agitation or anxiety

severe upper stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting.

These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

If any of the following happen, stop taking Zithromax and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital:

sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing

blisters or ulcers on the skin, in the mouth or airways that may occur after a period of fever

diarrhoea, usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain and fever

yellowing of the eyes or skin, also called jaundice

chest pain

shortness of breath

pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder

sudden dizziness or light-headedness

cold sweat

numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg

trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying

problems with vision

trouble walking, loss of balance, or lack of coordination

fainting

convulsions (fits).

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.

After finishing it

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Zithromax IV:

severe stomach cramps

watery and severe diarrhoea, which may be bloody

fever, in combination with one or both of the above.

Zithromax IV can cause some bacteria, which are normally present in the bowel and normally harmless, to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is rare.

Do not take any medicine for this diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

Some of these side effects (for example certain liver conditions, and blood abnormalities) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.

Do not be alarmed at this list of possible side effects.

You may not experience any of them.