azithromycin (Zithromax): For COVID-19, Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Pregnancy (original) (raw)

Generic Name: Azithromycin

Brand Name: Zithromax, Zmax

Drug Class: Macrolides

What is azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)?

Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic chemically related to erythromycin and clarithromycin (Biaxin).

Azithromycin is effective against susceptible bacteria causing:

It also is effective for acute pelvic inflammatory disease and several sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STDs) such as nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis.

What brand names are available for azithromycin?

Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax are the brand names available for azithromycin in the US.

Do I need a prescription for azithromycin?

Yes

Does azithromycin treat COVID-19 coronavirus disease?

Though azithromycin is antibiotic and thus ineffective alone against viruses, some clinicians have seen limited success in COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients when adding it to chloroquine (Aralen) and/or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) in the sickest patients.

As of March 30, 2020, there is little solid evidence for this drug combination's effectiveness in general against COVID-19, however.

The initial COVID-19 data about azithromycin came from just a few patients in an observational "open-label" study, which makes it difficult to isolate variables and say whether a particular drug is working.

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are decades-old malaria drugs French doctors tested on coronavirus patients. Six patients in the tiny study of about 20 happened to also be on azithromycin for other conditions while also being administered the malaria drugs. All six patients recovered.

Researchers are still testing the malaria drugs and their combination with azithromycin to fight coronavirus.

As of March 30, 2020, available study results on malaria drugs' effectiveness against COVID-19 were mixed, but a French study of 80 patients published that day in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents showed encouraging results for both the effectiveness of the malaria drugs and for the addition of azithromycin to the drug cocktail.

The FDA has released both malaria drugs for emergency use in COVID-19, despite the dearth of evidence.

What are the side effects of azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)?

The most common side effects of azithromycin are:

Other possible side effects of azithromycin include:

Possible serious side effects of azithromycin include:

Antibiotics can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage the overgrowth of some bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, which causes inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Patients who develop signs of pseudomembranous colitis after starting azithromycin (diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and possibly shock) should contact their physician immediately.

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What is the dosage for azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)?

Which drugs or supplements interact with azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)?

Azithromycin (except Zmax) should not be taken at the same time as aluminum- or magnesium-based antacids, such as Mylanta or Maalox, because antacids will bind the azithromycin and prevent it from being absorbed from the intestine.

Is azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak) safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

What else should I know about azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak)?

What preparations of azithromycin (Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax) are available?
How should I keep azithromycin (Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax) stored?
How does azithromycin (Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax) work?
When was azithromycin (Zithromax, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax) approved by the FDA?

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Summary

Azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak, Tri-Pak, Zmax) is an antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections such as otitis media (middle ear infection), laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and others. Though azithromycin is an antibiotic and thus ineffective against viruses, some clinicians have seen limited success in COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients when added to chloroquine and/or hydroxycholoroquine in the sickest patients. There is little good evidence for this drug combination's effectiveness in general against COVID-19.

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References

Medically reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP; Board Certified Emergency Medicine

FDA Prescribing Information

"Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID-19: results of an open-label non-randomized clinical trial"
Philippe Gautret, et al
March 2020
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Some data on COVID-19 use from Aileen Chi, Pharm. D., of Dova Pharmaceuticals