azithromycin
Indication
- A macrolide antibiotic primarily used in neonates for the treatment of infections caused by Chlamydia, Pertussis and Ureaplasma
Dosage Guidelines
- General dosing for susceptible infection: 10 – 20 mg/kg/dose ORAL once daily x 5 days
- Pertussis Treatment or post-exposure prophylaxis: 10 mg/kg/dose ORAL once daily x 5 days
- Chlamydia conjunctivitis or Chlamydia pneumonia: 20 mg/kg/dose ORAL once daily x 3 days
- Ureaplasma respiratory eradication in extremely low gestation newborns: 20 mg/kg/dose ORAL once daily x 3 days
Administration
- Oral
Adverse Effects
- Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, feeding intolerance
- Prolonged Q-T interval on ECG
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Ototoxicity
Comments
- Azithromycin may inhibit caffeine metabolism. Monitor for tachycardia and reduce caffeine dose by 25-50% if present
- Monitor liver function tests, CBC with differential
- Monitor for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (most common symptoms are forceful projectile vomiting and persistent hunger)
Supplied As:
40 mg/mL oral suspension
References
LexiComp Sick Kids