ZITHROMAX®

tablets and oral suspension

Azithromycin (a-zithro-my-sin)
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet Zithromax works by killing or Do not take this medicine if the
stopping the growth of bacteria expiry date (EXP) printed on the
This leaflet answers some common causing your infection. packaging has passed or if the
questions about Zithromax. It does Zithromax will not work against viral packaging is torn or shows signs of
not contain all the available infections such as colds or flu. tampering.
information. Ask your doctor if you have any If it has expired or is damaged, return
It does not take the place of talking to questions about why Zithromax it to your pharmacist for disposal.
your doctor or pharmacist. has been prescribed for you. If you are not sure whether you
All medicines have risks and Your doctor may have prescribed it should start taking this medicine,
benefits. Your doctor has weighed for another reason. talk to your doctor.
the risks of you taking Zithromax Zithromax is only available with a
against the benefits they expect it Before you start to take it
doctor's prescription.
will have for you. Tell your doctor if you have allergies
This medicine is not addictive.
If you have any concerns about to any other medicines, foods,
taking this medicine, ask your This medicine is not expected to preservatives or dyes.
affect your ability to drive a car or
doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you have any
operate machinery.
Keep this leaflet with your other health problems, including:
medicine. • any liver problems
You may need to read it again. • any kidney problems
Before you take • any heart problems, including
Zithromax abnormalities of the rhythm

What Zithromax is used • diabetes, hereditary fructose

When you must not take it intolerance, glucose-galactose
for
Do not take Zithromax if you are malabsorption or saccharise-
Zithromax is used to treat infections allergic to: isomaltase deficiency
in different parts of the body caused • azithromycin • cystic fibrosis
by bacteria.
• any other macrolide or ketolide • muscle weakness
It is commonly used to treat antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, • low levels of potassium or
Chlamydia. Zithromax is also used erythromycin, roxithromycin, magnesium in your blood
to prevent infections by a bacterium telithromycin)
• if you are pregnant or if you plan
called Mycobacterium Avium- • any of the ingredients listed at the to become pregnant or are
intracellulare Complex (MAC) in
end of this leaflet. breastfeeding. Your doctor can
some people.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction discuss with you the risks and
Zithromax is an antibiotic, which benefits involved.
may include shortness of breath,
belongs to a group of medicines
wheezing or difficulty breathing; If you have not told your doctor
called azalides. swelling of the face, lips, tongue or about any of the above, tell them
The azalides are a sub-class of a other parts of the body; rash, itching before you start taking Zithromax.
group of antibiotics called or hives on the skin.
macrolides.

ZITHROMAX® 1
Taking other medicines These medicines may be affected by Oral Suspension:
Zithromax or may affect how well it Shake the bottle well before use and
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
works. You may need different use the measuring syringe supplied.
you are taking any other
amounts of your medicines, or you
medicines, including any that you Zithromax may be taken with or
may need to take different medicines.
get without a prescription from a without food.
pharmacy, supermarket or health Your doctor or pharmacist has more
If you are taking an antacid (e.g.,
food shop. information on medicines to be
Gastrogel, Mylanta), take it at least
careful with or to avoid while taking
Some medicines may interfere with one hour before or two hours after
Zithromax.
Zithromax or increase the risk of side your Zithromax dose.
effects. These include: Talk to your doctor about the need
for additional contraception while This will avoid any possible effect of
• antacids (medicines used to treat the antacid on the absorption of
taking Zithromax.
indigestion) Zithromax.
Some antibiotics may decrease the
• colchicine (a medicine used to
effectiveness of some birth control How long to take it
treat gout)
pills, although this has not been
• coumarin-type oral anti- shown with Zithromax. Continue taking Zithromax until
coagulants (a medicine used to you finish the pack or bottle or
prevent blood clots) until your doctor recommends.
• cyclosporin (a medicine used to Do not stop taking it because you
prevent organ transplant rejection How to take Zithromax are feeling better.
or to treat certain problems with If you do not complete the full course
the immune system) Follow all directions given to you prescribed by your doctor, the
by your doctor or pharmacist
• digoxin (a medicine used to treat infection may not clear completely or
carefully. your symptoms may return.
abnormal heart rhythm or heart
failure) They may differ from the If you are not sure how long you
information contained in this leaflet.
• ergot derivatives (such as should be taking Zithromax, check
ergotamine, which is used to treat If you do not understand the with your doctor.
migraines) instructions on the pack, ask your
• terfenadine or astemizole doctor or pharmacist for help. If you forget to take it
(medicines used to treat allergies If you are taking Zithromax for
and hay fever)
How much to take
three days or longer and you miss
• zidovudine, a medicine used to The dose will depend on your a dose, take it as soon as you
treat patients with AIDS infection. remember (within a 24- hour
period), then continue as normal.
• diphenoxylate (Lomotil), a The usual dose to treat Chlamydia is
medicine used to treat diarrhoea two 500 mg tablets taken as a single Do not try to make up for missed
dose. doses by taking more than one dose
• some medicines used to treat
For other infections Zithromax is at a time.
heart rhythm problems (heart
arrhythmia) such as amiodarone, usually taken once a day. Sometimes If you are not sure what to do,
disopyramide, ibutilide and the dose is taken once a week. Your check with your doctor or
sotalol doctor will decide the right dose for pharmacist.
you.
• antipsychotic medicines used to If you have trouble remembering
treat schizophrenia or bipolar The dose for your child will depend to take your Zithromax, ask your
mania such as haloperidol, on his or her body weight. pharmacist for some hints.
quetiapine and risperidone Zithromax oral suspension is for use
by children.
• medicines used to treat
depression (antidepressants) such Your pharmacist will explain how to
as fluoxetine, sertraline and use it if you are not sure. If you take too much
venlafaxine (Overdose)
How to take it
• fluoroquinolone antibiotics such Immediately telephone your doctor
as ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, Tablets:
or Poisons Information Centre
moxifloxacin and norfloxacin Swallow the tablets whole with (telephone in New Zealand - 0800
liquid. POISONS or 0800 764 766) for

ZITHROMAX® 2
advice if you think that you or If you are about to start any new and temporary. However, some may
anyone else may have taken too medicines, tell your doctor and be serious and need medical
much Zithromax. pharmacist that you are taking attention.
Do this even if there are no signs of Zithromax. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
discomfort or poisoning. You may Tell any other doctors, dentists and answer any questions you may
need urgent medical attention. pharmacists who are treating you have.
If you take too many tablets or too that you are taking Zithromax. Do not be alarmed by the following
much oral suspension, you may get list of side effects. You may not
an upset stomach, diarrhoea or skin Things you must not do experience any of them.
rashes. Do not stop taking Zithromax or
lower the dosage without checking While taking it
with your doctor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
If you do not complete the full course you notice any of the following and
While you are using prescribed by your doctor, all the they worry you:
Zithromax organisms causing your infection • oral thrush - white, furry, sore
may not be killed. These organisms tongue and mouth
Things you must do may continue to grow and multiply
• vaginal thrush - sore and itchy
so that your infection may not clear
If the symptoms of your infection vagina and/or white discharge
completely or may return.
do not improve within a few days,
• nausea (feeling sick), loss of
or if they become worse, tell your Do not give Zithromax to anyone
appetite, vomiting, stomach pain,
doctor. else, even if they have the same
condition as you. indigestion, wind, constipation,
If you get severe diarrhoea, tell diarrhoea
your doctor, pharmacist or nurse Do not use Zithromax to treat any
other medical complaints unless • dizziness, headache, spinning
immediately. Do this even if it
sensation
occurs several weeks after your doctor tells you to.
Zithromax has been stopped. • tiredness, drowsiness, fatigue
Things to be careful of • muscle or joint aches
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a
serious condition affecting your Protect your skin when you are in • rash
bowel. You may need urgent the sun, especially between 10am
• hearing loss or ringing in the ears
medical care. Do not take any and 3pm.
diarrhoea medicine without first • altered taste and smell.
Some macrolide antibiotics may
checking with your doctor. cause your skin to be more sensitive These side effects are usually mild.
If you get a sore, white mouth or to sunlight than it is normally. See your doctor immediately and
tongue while taking, or soon after Exposure to sunlight may cause a before you take your next dose of
stopping Zithromax, tell your skin rash, itching, redness or severe Zithromax if you notice any of the
doctor. Also tell your doctor if you sunburn. following:
get vaginal itching or discharge. If outdoors, wear protective • severe persistent diarrhoea (loose
This may mean you have a yeast clothing and use a 30+ sunscreen. bowel motions)
infection called thrush. Sometimes If your skin does appear to be • fast or irregular heart beat
the use of Zithromax allows yeast to burning tell your doctor
• symptoms of sunburn such as
grow and the above symptoms to immediately.
redness, itching, swelling or
occur. Zithromax does not work
against yeast. blistering which may occur more
quickly than normal
If you become pregnant while
taking Zithromax, tell your doctor. Side effects • decreased feeling or sensitivity,
especially in the skin
Tell your doctor immediately if
during treatment with Zithromax
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as • hives, itching or skin rash
soon as possible if you do not feel
your baby develops irritability • widespread body rash, fever and
well while you are taking
with feeding or starts vomiting. swollen lymph nodes
Zithromax.
This may be a sign of a stomach • aggressive reaction, nervousness,
Like other medicines, Zithromax can
disorder in the infant. agitation or anxiety
cause some side effects. If they
occur, most are likely to be minor

ZITHROMAX® 3
• bleeding or bruising more easily Zithromax can cause some bacteria, Disposal
than normal, reddish or purplish which are normally present in the
If your doctor tells you to stop
blotches under the skin bowel and normally harmless to
taking this medicine, or it has
• signs of frequent or worrying multiply and therefore cause the
passed its expiry date, ask your
infections such as fever, severe above symptoms. You may need
pharmacist what to do with any
chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers urgent medical attention. However
that is left over.
this side effect is rare.
• dark urine or blood in the urine or Discard any oral suspension left
bowel motions Do not take any medicine for this
over after 10 days.
diarrhoea without first checking
• severe upper stomach pain, often
with your doctor.
with nausea and vomiting.
Tell your doctor if you notice
These are serious side effects. You
anything else that is making you Product description
may need urgent medical attention.
feel unwell.
Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above What it looks like
If any of the following happen, stop
may also occur in some patients.
taking Zithromax and tell your Some of these side effects (for Zithromax tablets come in two
doctor immediately or go to strengths:
example certain liver conditions, and
casualty at your nearest hospital:
blood abnormalities) can only be • Zithromax 250 mg - white to off
• sudden signs of allergy such as found when your doctor does tests white, unscored, modified
rash, itching or hives on the skin, from time to time to check your capsule-shaped film coated
swelling of the face, lips, tongue progress. tablets marked 'ZTM 250' on one
or other parts of the body, side and 'Pfizer' on the other.
Do not be alarmed at this list of
shortness of breath, wheezing or Blister packs of 2, 4 and 6, and
possible side effects.
trouble breathing bottle of 30 tablets.
You may not experience any of them
• blisters or ulcers on the skin, in • Zithromax 500 mg - white to off
the mouth or airways that may white, unscored, modified
occur after a period of fever capsule-shaped film coated
• diarrhoea, usually with blood and After using Zithromax tablets marked 'ZTM 500' on one
mucus, stomach pain and fever side and 'Pfizer' on the other.
Blister packs of 2 and 3.
• yellowing of the eyes or skin, also Storage
called jaundice • Zithromax 600 mg - white,
Keep Zithromax in its original scored, capsule-shaped tablets
• chest pain packaging until it is time to use it. marked 'ZTM 600' on one side
• fainting If you take Zithromax out of its and 'Pfizer' on the other. Blister
• convulsions (fits) packaging, it may not keep as well. pack of 8.
These are very serious side effects. Keep your Zithromax in a cool, • Zithromax Powder for Oral
You may need urgent medical dry place where the temperature Suspension comes in a 15 mL
attention or hospitalisation. These stays below 30°C. bottle and is an off-white to
side effects are rare. orange to brown liquid when
Do not store Zithromax or any
other medicine in the bathroom or made up with water.
After finishing it near a sink. Do not leave it in the Not all presentations may be
Tell your doctor immediately if car or on a window sill. available in New Zealand
you notice any of the following side Heat and dampness can destroy some
effects, particularly if they occur medicines.
Ingredients
several weeks after stopping Active ingredient
Keep your Zithromax where young
treatment with Zithromax:
children cannot reach it. 250 mg Tablets
• severe stomach cramps
A locked cupboard at least one-and-  250 mg azithromycin per tablet
• watery and severe diarrhoea, a-half metres above the ground is a
500 mg Tablets
which may be bloody good place to store medicines.
 500 mg azithromycin per tablet
• fever, in combination with one or
both of the above. 600 mg Tablets
 600 mg azithromycin per tablet

ZITHROMAX® 4
Powder for Oral Suspension
 200 mg azithromycin per 5 mL

Other ingredients
Tablets
• pregelatinsed-maize starch
• calcium hydrogen phosphate
• croscarmellose sodium
• magnesium stearate
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• lactose
• hypromellose
• titanium dioxide
• glycerol triacetate
Powder for Oral Suspension
• sucrose
• sodium phosphate
• hydroxypropylcellulose
• xanthan gum
• cherry flavour
• banana flavour
• vanilla flavour

Supplier
Zithromax is supplied in New
Zealand by:

Pfizer New Zealand Limited

PO Box 3998
Auckland
Toll Free Number: 0800 736 363

This leaflet was prepared in March

2019.

© Pfizer New Zealand Pty Limited

® Registered Trademark

ZITHROMAX® 5