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  • Zithromax IV
    / Pfizer


    Active Ingredient
    Azithromycin (dihydrate) 500 mg/vial

    Status in Israel
    RX

    Presentation and Status in Health Basket

    Presentation Basket Yarpa Pharmasoft

    Vial

    1 X 500 mg

    not in the basket chart 64994 26139

    Dosage

    For the treatment of adult patients with CAP: due to the indicated organisms, the recommended dose of intravenous azithromycin is 500 mg as a single daily dose by the IV route for at least two days. Intravenous therapy should be followed by oral azithromycin at a single daily dose of 500 mg to complete a 7 to 10 day course of therapy. The timing of the conversion to oral therapy should be done at the discretion of the physician and in accordance with clinical response.
    For the treatment of adult patients with PID: due to the indicated organisms, the recommended dose of intravenous azithromycin is 500 mg as a single dose by the IV route for one or two days. Intravenous therapy should be followed by
    azithromycin by the oral route at a single daily dose of 250 mg to complete a 7-day course of therapy. The timing of the conversion to oral therapy should be done at the discretion of the physician and in accordance with clinical response. If anaerobic microorganisms are suspected of contributing to the infection, an antimicrobial anaerobic agent may be administered in combination with azithromycin.
    After reconstitution and dilution, the recommended route of administration for intravenous azithromycin is by IV infusion only. Do not administer as an intravenous bolus or an intramuscular injection.
    The infusate concentration and rate of infusion for azithromycin intravenous (IV) should be either 1 mg/ml over 3 hours or 2 mg/ml over 1 hour. An intravenous dose of 500 mg azithromycin should be infused for a minimum duration of one (1) hour.
    In Children: The safety and efficacy of intravenous azithromycin for the treatment of infections in children has not been established.
    In the Elderly: The same dosage as in adult patients is used in the elderly. Elderly patients may be more susceptible to development of torsades de pointes arrhythmia than younger patients.
    In Patients with Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (GFR 10 – 80 ml/min). Caution should be exercised when azithromycin is administered to patients with severe renal impairment (GFR < 10 ml/min).
    In Patients with Hepatic Impairment: The same dosage as in patients with normal hepatic function may be used in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Since azithromycin is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the bile, the drug should not be given to patients suffering from severe liver disease. No studies have been conducted regarding treatment of such patients with azithromycin.


    Indications

    Treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the following conditions: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and pelvic inflammotory disease (PID).


    Contra-Indications

    Known hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, or any macrolide or ketolide antibiotic.
    Patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin.


    Special Precautions

    Hypersensitivity: Serious allergic reactions, including angioedema, anaphylaxis, and dermatologic reactions including Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported in patients on azithromycin therapy.
    Fatalities have been reported. Cases of Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) have also been reported. Despite initially successful symptomatic treatment of the allergic symptoms, when symptomatic therapy was discontinued, the allergic symptoms recurred soon thereafter in some patients without further azithromycin exposure. These patients required prolonged periods of observation and symptomatic treatment. The relationship of these episodes to the long tissue half-life of azithromycin and subsequent prolonged exposure to antigen is unknown at present.
    If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should be instituted. Physicians should be aware that the allergic symptoms may reappear after symptomatic therapy has been discontinued.
    Hepatotoxicity: Abnormal liver function, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, hepatic necrosis, and hepatic failure have been reported, some of which have resulted in death. Discontinue azithromycin immediately if signs and symptoms of hepatitis occur.
    Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS): Following the use of azithromycin in neonates (treatment up to 42 days of life), IHPS has been reported. Direct parents and caregivers to contact their physician if vomiting or irritability with feeding occurs.
    QT Prolongation: Prolonged cardiac repolarization and QT interval, imparting a risk of developing cardiac arrhythmia and torsades de pointes, have been seen with treatment with macrolides, including azithromycin. Cases of torsades de pointes have been spontaneously reported during postmarketing surveillance in patients receiving azithromycin. Providers should consider the risk of QT prolongation, which can be fatal when weighing the risks and benefits of azithromycin for at-risk groups including:
    – patients with known prolongation of the QT interval, a history of torsades de pointes, congenital long QT syndrome, bradyarrhythmias or uncompensated heart failure
    – patients on drugs known to prolong the QT interval
    – patients with ongoing proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, and in patients receiving Class IA (quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (dofetilide, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents.
    Elderly patients may be more susceptible to drug-associated effects on the QT interval.
    Cardiovascular Death: Some observational studies have shown an approximately two-fold increased short-term potential risk of acute cardiovascular death in adults exposed to azithromycin relative to other antibacterial drugs, including amoxicillin. The five-day cardiovascular mortality observed in these studies ranged from 20 to 400 per million azithromycin treatment courses. This potential risk was noted to be greater during the first five days of azithromycin use and does not appear to be limited to those patients with preexisting cardiovascular diseases. The data in these observational studies are insufficient to establish or exclude a causal relationship between acute cardiovascular death and azithromycin use. Consider balancing this potential risk with treatment benefits when prescribing this drug.
    Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including this drug, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
    C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antibacterial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.
    If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.
    Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis: Exacerbations of symptoms of myasthenia gravis and new onset of myasthenic syndrome have been reported in patients receiving azithromycin therapy.
    Infusion Site Reactions: this drug for injection should be reconstituted and diluted as directed and administered as an intravenous infusion over not less than 60 minutes.
    Local IV site reactions have been reported with the intravenous administration of azithromycin. The incidence and severity of these reactions were the same when 500 mg azithromycin was given over 1 hour (2 mg/mL as 250 mL infusion) or over 3 hr (1 mg/mL as 500 mL infusion). All volunteers who received infusate concentrations above 2.0 mg/mL experienced local IV site reactions and, therefore, higher concentrations should be avoided.
    Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Prescribing this drug in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
    See prescribing information for full details.


    Side Effects

    The most common adverse reactions associated with treatment in adult patients who received ZITHROMAX I.V. in studies of community-acquired pneumonia were related to the gastrointestinal system with diarrhea/loose stools (4.3%), nausea (3.9%), abdominal pain (2.7%), and vomiting (1.4%) being the most frequently reported.
    Approximately 12% of patients experienced a side effect related to the intravenous infusion; most common were pain at the injection site (6.5%) and local inflammation (3.1%).
    The most common adverse reactions associated with treatment in adult women who received ZITHROMAX I.V. in trials of pelvic inflammatory disease were related to the gastrointestinal system. Diarrhea (8.5%) and nausea (6.6%) were most commonly reported, followed by vaginitis (2.8%), abdominal pain (1.9%), anorexia (1.9%), rash and pruritus (1.9%). When azithromycin was co-administered with metronidazole in these trials, a higher proportion of women experienced adverse reactions of nausea (10.3%), abdominal pain (3.7%), vomiting (2.8%), infusion site reaction, stomatitis, dizziness, or dyspnea (all at 1.9%).
    See prescribing information for full details.


    Drug interactions

    Nelfinavir: Co-administration of nelfinavir at steady-state with a single oral dose of azithromycin resulted in increased azithromycin serum concentrations. Although a dose adjustment of azithromycin is not recommended when administered in combination with nelfinavir, close monitoring for known adverse reactions of azithromycin, such as liver enzyme abnormalities and hearing impairment, is warranted.
    Warfarin: Spontaneous post-marketing reports suggest that concomitant administration of azithromycin may potentiate the effects of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin, although the prothrombin time was not affected in the dedicated drug interaction study with azithromycin and warfarin. Prothrombin times should be carefully monitored while patients are receiving azithromycin and oral anticoagulants concomitantly.
    Potential Drug-Drug Interaction with Macrolides: Interactions with digoxin, colchicine or phenytoin have not been reported in clinical trials with azithromycin. No specific drug interaction studies have been performed to evaluate potential drug-drug interaction. However, drug interactions have been observed with other macrolide products. Until further data are developed regarding drug interactions when digoxin, colchicine or phenytoin are used with azithromycin careful monitoring of patients is advised.


    Pregnancy and Lactation

    Pregnancy: Available data from published literature and postmarketing experience over several decades with azithromycin use in pregnant women have not identified any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data).
    Developmental toxicity studies with azithromycin in rats, mice, and rabbits showed no drug-induced fetal malformations at doses up to 4, 2, and 2 times, respectively, an adult human daily dose of 500 mg based on body surface area. Decreased viability and delayed development were observed in the offspring of pregnant rats administered azithromycin from day 6 of pregnancy through weaning at a dose equivalent to 4 times an adult human daily dose of 500 mg based on body surface area.
    Lactation: Azithromycin is present in human milk. Non-serious adverse reactions have been reported in breastfed infants after maternal administration of azithromycin. There are no available data on the effects of azithromycin on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ZITHROMAX and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ZITHROMAX or from the underlying maternal condition. Advise women to monitor the breastfed infant for diarrhea, vomiting, or rash.
    See prescribing information for full details.


    Overdose

    Adverse reactions experienced in 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.


    Important notes

    Incompatibilities: Other intravenous substances, additives or medications should not be added to intravenous azithromycin, or infused simultaneously through the same intravenous line.
    Storage: Store the vial below 30°C.


    Manufacturer
    Fareva Amboise, Poce-sur-Cisse, France
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