Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for UCLA Health

Azithromycin

C. diff Risk

Medium

Oral Bioavailability

Excellent

Approximate Cost

IV:$
PO:$

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Spectrum Of Activity

Dosing

Adult

Respiratory infection - 500mg PO/IV on day 1 then 250mg daily for 4 days

Non-respiratory infection - 500 mg PO/IV daily

Pediatric

General Information

Common Usage

Common Usage

  • Community acquired pneumonia

  • Pertussis

  • Upper respiratory tract infections

  •  Chlamidial infections

  • Mycobacterial infections,

  •  Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prophylaxis in HIV patients

Drug Monitoring

Drug Monitoring

Laboratory

  • Consider periodic LFTs with prolonged use

Clinical

  • Hypersensitivity

  • GI effects

  • Drug interactions

  • QT prolongation with risk factors

Adverse Effects

Adverse Effects

  • GI effects

  • Cholestatic jaundice

  • QT prolongation

  • Allergic reaction

Major Interactions

Major Interactions

  • Other drugs that prolong QTc

  •  Increases cyclosporine levels

  • May increase digoxin levels

  • Statins increased risk of rhabdomyolysis

Additional Information

Additional Information

Very high tissue penetration and concentration intracellularly means in vivo activity may not be predicted by in vitro testing - i.e. Salmonella spp

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Antimicrobial class: Macrolide

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 68 hours

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Poor

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

Urine penetration: Poor