Fact Sheet Number 530
- WHAT IS AZITHROMYCIN?
- WHY DO PEOPLE WITH HIV TAKE AZITHROMYCIN?
- WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE?
- HOW IS AZITHROMYCIN TAKEN?
- WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
- HOW DOES AZITHROMYCIN REACT WITH OTHER
DRUGS?
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PrintAzithromycin is an antibiotic drug. In the US, its brand name
is Zithromax. It is sold under many other brand names in other
countries.
Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria. Azithromycin
is used to fight opportunistic infections in people with HIV.
Pfizer manufactures it.
WITH HIV TAKE AZITHROMYCIN?
Azithromycin is used for mild or moderate bacterial infections.
It works against several different bacteria, especially chlamydia,
hemophilus and streptococcus. These bacteria can infect the skin,
nose, throat, and lungs. They can also be transmitted through
sexual activity and cause infections in the genital area.
Many germs live in our bodies or are common in our surroundings.
A healthy immune system can fight them off or keep them under
control. However, HIV infection can weaken the immune system.
Infections that take advantage of weakened immune defenses are
called “opportunistic infections.” People with advanced
HIV disease can get opportunistic infections. See Fact
Sheet 500 for more information on Opportunistic
Infections.
One opportunistic infection in people with HIV is MAC. This
stands for mycobacterium avium complex. See Fact
Sheet 510 for more information on MAC.
People who have a T-cell count of less than 75 may develop MAC.
Azithromycin is often used with another antibiotic to treat
MAC. It can also be used to prevent MAC infection. If your T-cell
count is below 75, talk to your doctor about using azithromycin.
Some people are allergic to azithromycin and similar antibiotics.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to erythromycin
or other antibiotics.
Whenever you take medication, be sure to take all of the prescribed
doses. Many people stop if they feel better. This is not a good
idea. If the drug doesn’t kill all of the germs, they might change
(mutate) so that they can survive even when you are taking medications.
When this happens, the drug will stop working. This is called
“developing resistance” to the drug.
For example, if you are taking azithromycin to fight MAC and
you miss too many doses, the MAC in your body could develop resistance
to azithromycin. Then you would have to take a different drug
or combination of drugs to fight MAC.
TAKEN?
Azithromycin is available in capsules or tablets of 250 milligram
(mg.) There is also a 600 mg tablet. It is also available in powder
and liquid forms. To fight most infections, the dose for adults
is 500 mg on the first day, and then 250 mg each day for 4 more
days.
The dose used to prevent MAC infection is 1200 mg or 1250 mg
once a week.
Azithromycin tablets can be taken with or without food. Take
it with plenty of water. The capsules or liquid should be taken
on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after
eating. Be sure to check the instructions carefully.
Do not take azithromycin at the same time as antacids that
contain aluminum or magnesium. They will reduce the amount of
azithromycin in your blood.
EFFECTS?
The side effects of azithromycin mostly affect the digestive system.
They include diarrhea, nausea, and pain in the abdomen. Some people
get very sensitive to sunlight. Others may get headaches, be dizzy
or sleepy, or have some problems hearing. Very few people who
take azithromycin get these side effects. However, most anti-HIV
medications also cause problems in the digestive system. Azithromycin
could make those problems worse.
Antibiotics kill some helpful bacteria that normally live in
the digestive system. You can eat yogurt or take supplements of
acidophilus to replace them.
REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
Azithromycin is broken down by the liver. It can interact with
other drugs that also use the liver. Scientists have not yet studied
all the possible interactions. Azithromycin probably interacts
with some blood thinners, heart medications, seizure medications,
and other antibiotics. Be sure your doctor knows about all the
medications you are taking.
Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully if you are taking
azithromycin and the protease inhibitor ritonavir.
Antacids with aluminum or magnesium can lower blood levels
of azithromycin. Do not take antacids at the same time as azithromycin.
Reviewed May 6, 2002
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New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center
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