ADAP drugs: azithromycin

azithromycin (Zithromax)

Drug description

Azithromycin is an antibiotic used in combination with other drugs as preventive treatment against both toxoplasmosis and MAC. Azithromycin is also used for treating cryptosporidiosis. The drug is available on a compassionate use basis to people who have failed or are intolerant to pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, or clindamycin. Call Pfizer/Roerig at (800) 742-3029. There is no standard treatment for MAC. Recent Public Health Service recommendations suggest either clarithromycin or azithromycin as the first line treatment for MAC, along with at least one other drug, usually ethambutol and one of the following: ciprofloxacin or rifabutin.

Side effects
Azithromycin can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea, as well as dizziness and sensitivity to sunlight. A possible side effect of azithromycin can be hearing loss. Azithromycin appears to have no side effects involving the liver or other major organs.

Dosage
To treat toxoplasmosis, azithromycin is used in combination with pyrimethamine at an initial dose of 1000 mg followed by 500 mg per day. Azithromycin used alone has been associated with early relapse. To treat MAC, azithromycin has been studied at 500 mg per day with promising results in individuals taking it for 30 days. Some individuals may develop azithromycin-resistant strains of MAC. To treat chlamydia, azithromycin is given in a single 1000 mg oral dose.

How long it may take to work
Maintenance treatment for MAC is necessary. Maintenance treatment means you keep taking the drug to control an infection so that you don't become ill. Azithromycin has good bioavailability, so a single dose can be effective against some infections.

Managing side effects
Medications that can help reduce the symptoms of nausea include Compazine, Phenergan, and Reglan. Nutrition strategies such as eating dry salted crackers and not lying down right after you eat can help with stomach upset and nausea. Aspirin or pain killers may help with headache.

This information is specific to the use of this medication for HIV-related conditions. For additional information about this drug for other conditions, refer to: www.nursespdr.com/ and www.healthanswers.com/Library/library_fset.asp

The drug descriptions on these pages are intended for informational purposes only. The Network does not promote or endorse the use of any specific treatment for any health-related condition. The medications described here can only be dispensed by a licensed health care professional. The information may have changed since these pages were updated, though every effort is made to keep these pages current. Please contact The Network at (800) 734-7104 to make sure you have the most up-to-date information

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