DRUG NAME DOSAGE MECHANISM INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIONS ADVERSE NURSING

OF ACTION EFFECTS CONSIDERATIONS

Generic Availability: Binds to the Indicated  Contraindicated in CNS: fatigue,  Advise patient
Name: Injection: 500 mg 50S subunit of treatment for: patients headache, to avoid
Azithromycin  Ophthalmic bacterial Acute bacterial hypersensitive to somnolence, excessive
(ay-zi-thro-MY-sin) solution: 1% ribosomes, worsening of azithromycin, dizziness.  sunlight and to
Powder for oral blocking COPD caused erythromycin, or wear protective
Brand Name: suspension: 100 protein by Haemophilus other macrolide or CV: chest pain, clothing and use
Zithromax mg/5 mL, 200 mg/5 synthesis; influenzae, ketolide antibiotics palpitations.  sunscreen when
Zithromax Tri- mL; 1,000 mg/single bacteriostatic Moraxella and in those with outside.
Pak dose packet  or bactericidal, catarrhalis, or history of EENT: eye  Tell patient to
Zithromax Z- Tablets: 250 mg, depending on Streptococcus cholestatic jaundice irritation report adverse
Pak 500 mg, 600 mg concentration. pneumoniae; or hepatic (ophthalmic).  reactions
Zmax Uncomplicated dysfunction from promptly.
Chancroid  skin and skin- prior use of GI: abdominal pain,  Monitor patient
Classification: Adults: 1 g PO as a anorexia, diarrhea,
structure azithromycin.  for
Anti-infective. single dose nausea, vomiting,
infections  Serious cases of superinfection.
Belongs to the Pharyngitis, pseudomembranous
caused by allergic reactions, Drug may cause
class of drugs tonsillitis  colitis, dyspepsia,
Staphylococcus including overgrowth of
known as Children age 2 and flatulence, melena. 
aureus, angioedema, nonsusceptible
macrolide older: 12 mg/kg oral Streptococcus anaphylaxis, SJS, GU: candidiasis, bacteria or
antibiotics suspension pyogenes, or toxic epidermal nephritis, vaginitis. fungi. 
(maximum, 500 mg) Streptococcus necrolysis, and  Monitor patient
Route: Hepatic: cholestatic
PO daily for 5 days. agalactiae; DRESS syndrome for CDAD,
PO jaundice. 
IV second-line have been reported, which may
Severe cholera therapy for some with fatalities. range in severity
OU Adults: 1 g PO as a Skin:
pharyngitis or Prolonged photosensitivity from mild
single dose tonsillitis observation and diarrhea to fatal
Forms: reactions, rash, pain
Pharmacokinetics
Injection Absorption:  rapidly caused by S. symptomatic at injection site, colitis.
Ophthalmic absorbed  pyogenes treatment may be pruritus.   Consider full
Solution Peak: necessary.  risk profile
Powder for PO : 2-5hr  Infantile Other: when choosing
Oral Distribution:  hypertrophic pyloric angioedema. appropriate
suspension Widely distributed stenosis has been antibiotic
Tablets throughout the body. reported after the therapy.
Metabolism: use of azithromycin Alternative
Metabolized in the in neonates macrolide or
liver (treatment up to 42 fluoroquinolone
Elimination: days of life).  class drugs also
Eliminated and  Don't use oral drug have the
unchanged in the in patients with potential to
feces via biliary pneumonia or in cause QT-
excretion and those with moderate interval
transintestinal to severe illness or prolongation
secretion risk factors (such as and other
Half Life:  cystic fibrosis, significant
About 3 days. nosocomially adverse effects. 
acquired infections,  Monitor patient
known or suspected for allergic and
bacteremia; skin reactions.
hospitalized, elderly, Discontinue
or debilitated drug if reactions
patients; or patients occur. Be aware
with that allergic
immunodeficiency symptoms may
or functional recur when
asplenia).  symptomatic
 Use cautiously in therapy is
patients with discontinued;
impaired hepatic patient may
function or require
myasthenia gravis. prolonged
monitoring and
treatment. 
 Monitor patient
for jaundice,
hepatotoxicity,
and hepatitis.
Discontinue
drug
immediately if
signs and
symptoms
(yellowing of
skin or sclera,
abdominal pain,
nausea,
vomiting, dark
urine) occur.