Azithromycin 250mg Film-Coated Tablets
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AZITHROMYCIN 250mg and 500mg FILM-COATED TABLETS
PACKAGE LEAFLET INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start
taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours
• If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist
• This medicine is called either Azithromycin 250mg Film-Coated Tablets or Azithromycin 500mg Film-Coated Tablets but will be referred to as Azithromycin throughout the leaflet.
IN THIS LEAFLET
1. What Azithromycin is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Azithromycin
3. How to take Azithromycin
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Azithromycin
6. Further information
WHAT AZITHROMYCIN IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Azithromycin is one of a group of antibiotics called macrolides. It is used to treat bacterial infections caused by micro organisms such as bacteria. These infections include:
• Chest infections such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia
• Infections in your sinuses, throat, tonsils or ears
• Mild to moderate skin and soft tissue infections e.g. infection of the hair follicles (folliculitis), bacterial infection of the skin and its deeper layers (cellulitis), skin infection with shiny red swelling (erysipelas)
• Infections caused by bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. They can cause inflammations of the tube that carries urine from your bladder (urethra) or where your womb joins your vagina (cervix).
2 BEFORE YOU TAKE AZITHROMYCIN
Do NOT take Azithromycin:
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to azithromycin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine or any other macrolide or ketolide antibiotic, e.g. erythromycin or telithromycin.
Take special care with Azithromycin
Talk to your doctor before you start to take this medicine if you:
• have ever had a serious allergic reaction causing swelling of the face and throat, possibly with breathing problems
• have severe kidney problems: your doctor may alter the dose
• have liver problems: your doctor may need to monitor your liver function or stop the treatment
• are aware of ever being diagnosed with prolonged QT interval (a heart condition): azithromycin is not recommended
• are aware that you have a slow or irregular heart beat or reduced heart function: azithromycin is not recommended
• know that you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood: azithromycin is not recommended
• are taking medicines known as antiarrhythmics (used to treat abnormal heart rhythms), cisapride (used to treat stomach problems) or terfenadine (an antihistamine that is used to treat allergies): azithromycin is not recommended
• are taking medicines known as ergot alkaloids (such as ergotamine), which are used to treat migraine: azithromycin is not recommended (see 'Taking other medicines' below)
• have been diagnosed with a neurological disease which is a disease of the brain or nervous system
• have mental, emotional or behavioural problems
• have a condition known as myasthenia gravis, with fatigue and exhaustion of the muscles: azithromycin may worsen or cause symptoms of myasthenia.
If you develop severe or persistent diarrhoea during or after treatment, especially if you notice blood or mucus, tell your doctor immediately.
If your symptoms persist after the end of your treatment with azithromycin or if you notice any new and persistent symptoms, contact your doctor.
Taking other medicines
Check with your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
• Antacids e.g. aluminium hydroxide: take azithromycin at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking an antacid
• Ergot derivatives e.g. ergotamine, (used to treat migraine): azithromycin should not be taken at the same time, as ergotism may develop (a potentially serious side effect with numbness or tingling sensations in the limbs, muscle cramps, headaches, convulsions, abdominal or chest pain)
• Coumarin derivatives e.g. warfarin (used to stop the blood clotting): the risk of bleeding may be increased
• Digoxin (used to treat heart failure): the levels of digoxin in your blood may increase
• Zidovudine nelfinavir (used in the treatment of HIV): the levels of zidovudine or azithromycin might be increased
• Rifabutin (used in the treatment of HIV and bacterial infections including tuberculosis): decreases in your number of white blood cells could occur
• Ciclosporin (an immunosuppressant used following organ transplant): your doctor will need to monitor your ciclosporin blood levels
• Cisapride (used to treat stomach problems): heart problems may occur
• Astemizole, terfenadine (antihistamines used to treat allergic reactions): their effect might be increased
• Alfentanil (a painkiller): the effect of alfentanil might be increased
• Fluconazole (for fungal infections): the levels of azithromycin might be reduced.
No interactions have been observed between azithromycin and cetirizine (an antihistamine); didanosine, efavirenz, indinavir (for HIV infection); atorvastatin (for cholesterol and heart problems); carbamazepine (for epilepsy); cimetidine (an antacid); methylprednisolone (to suppress the immune system); midazolam, triazolam (sedatives); sildenafil (for impotence) and trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole (an antibiotic combination).
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
There is insufficient information regarding the safety of azithromycin during pregnancy. Consequently, azithromycin is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. However, your doctor may prescribe it under serious circumstances.
You should not breast-feed whilst you are taking azithromycin, because it may cause side effects including diarrhoea and infection in your baby. You may resume nursing two days after stopping your treatment with azithromycin.
Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Azithromycin may cause dizziness and fits. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
3 HOW TO TAKE AZITHROMYCIN
Always take Azithromycin exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The tablets should be swallowed preferably with a drink of water, and can be taken with or without food.
The usual dose is:
Adults (including the elderly) and children with a body weight of over 45kg:
The usual dose is 1500mg divided over either 3 or 5 days as follows:
< When taken over 3 days, 500mg a day
• When taken over 5 days, 500mg on the first day and then 250mg on days 2 through to 5
• Inflammation of the urethra or cervix caused by Chlamydia: 1000mg taken as a single dose, for one day only.
(continued overleaf)
|
WIP URN |
y |
230415-AZI001-PIL-06 |
|
APPROVED URN |
N/A | |
|
Job |
Azithromycin PIL - Side 1 | |
|
Size |
323 x 160mm | |
|
Date |
23 April 2015 | |
|
BOH Approval Date | ||
|
Saved as |
14056/06 PIL S1.ai M1 | |
|
Prints |
1 Colour - Black |
Children and Adolescents under 45kg:
Tablets are not indicated for these patients. Other pharmaceutical forms of azithromycin-containing products (e.g. suspensions) may be used.
Patients with kidney or liver problems:
You should tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems as your doctor may need to alter the normal dose.
If you take more Azithromycin than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has swallowed any of the tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. An overdose is likely to cause reversible hearing loss, severe nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and diarrhoea.
Please take this leaflet, any remaining tablets and the container with you to the hospital or doctor so that they know which tablets were consumed.
If you forget to take Azithromycin
If you forget to take a tablet, take one as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time to take the next one. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Azithromycin
Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first even if you feel better. It is very important that you keep taking azithromycin for as long as your doctor has told you to, otherwise the infection may come back.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist
4 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Azithromycin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If the following happens, stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:
• an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, face or neck leading to severe difficultly in breathing; skin rash or hives)
• blisters/bleeding of the lips, eyes, nose, mouth and genitals, which may be caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrosis, which are serious illnesses
• an irregular heart beat
4 prolonged diarrhoea with blood and mucus.
These are very serious but rare side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
The following other side effects have been reported: Very common (affecting more than 1 user in 10):
• Diarrhoea, stomach pain, feeling sick, wind.
Common (affecting 1 to 10 users in 100):
• Changes in the numbers of some white blood cells and blood bicarbonate
• Dizziness, headache, pins and needles or numbness
• Taste disorders
• Sight disorders < Deafness
• Vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite
• Rash, itching
• Joint pain
• Tiredness.
Uncommon (affecting 1 to 10 users in 1,000):
• Yeast infection e.g. of the mouth (thrush), vaginal infection
• Blood disorders characterised by fever or chills, sore throat, ulcers in your mouth or throat
• Allergic reactions
• Loss of sensation, sleepiness, difficulty sleeping
• Hearing disturbances including ringing in the ears
• Abnormality of the rhythm or rate and awareness of the heart beat (palpitations)
• Inflammation of the stomach, constipation, loose stools
• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Reddening and blistering of the skin when exposed to sunlight, hives (nettle rash)
• Inflammation of the vagina
• Chest pain, swelling, feeling unwell, lethargy
• Changes in liver enzymes and laboratory blood values.
Rare (affecting 1 to 10 users in 10,000):
• Agitation
• A feeling of things being unreal
• Confusion, especially in the elderly
• Spinning sensation
• Teeth discolouration
• Abnormal liver function.
The frequency of the following side effects is not known:
• Blood disorders characterised by unusual bleeding or unexplained bruising, low blood count causing unusual tiredness or weakness
• Aggression, anxiety
• Fainting, fits, hyperactivity, alteration or loss of the sense of smell, loss of the sense of taste, myasthenia gravis (fatigue and exhaustion of the muscle, see 'Take special care with Azithromycin' above)
• Change in heart rate
• Low blood pressure (which may be associated with weakness, lightheadedness and fainting)
• Discolouration of the tongue, inflammation of the pancreas causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain
• Liver failure (rarely life threatening)
• Rash with spots and blisters
• Kidney problems
• Pain.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5 HOW TO STORE AZITHROMYCIN
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Do not transfer the tablets to another container.
Do not use Azithromycin after the expiry date that is stated on the outer packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
If the tablets become discoloured or show any signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist.
6 FURTHER INFORMATION
What Azithromycin tablets contain:
• Each film-coated tablet contains either 250mg or 500mg azithromycin (as azithromycin monohydrate hemiethanolate).
• The other ingredients are colloidal anhydrous silica, butyl hydroxytoluene (E321), pregelatinised starch, calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, talc, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulphate, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171) and glycerol triacetate (E1518).
What Azithromycin tablets look like and contents of the pack:
• Azithromycin 250mg tablets are white ,oval, film-coated tablets, engraved "ATM 250" on one side and plain on the other side
• Azithromycin 500mg tablets are white ,oval, film-coated tablets, engraved "ATM 500" on one side and plain on the other side
• The 250mg tablets are available in a pack size of 6 tablets.
• The 500mg tablets are available in a pack size of 3 tablets.
PL holder:
Manx Pharma Ltd, Taylor Group House, Wedgnock Lane, Warwick, CV34 5YA, UK
PL 15833/0051 Azithromycin 250mg Film-Coated Tablets
PL 15833/0036 Azithromycin 500mg Film-Coated Tablets
Procured from within the EU.
Manufactured by
Pharmachemie BV, Swensweg 5, Postbus 552, 2003 RN, Haarlem, The Netherlands.
To request a copy of this leaflet in large print, audio or Braille please call 01926 482511.
This leaflet was last revised
in April 201 5 WIP URN: 230415-AZI001-PIL-06
|
WIP URN |
n/ |
230415-AZI001-PIL-06 |
|
APPROVED URN |
N/A | |
|
Job |
Azithromycin PIL - Side 2 | |
|
Size |
323 x 160mm | |
|
Date |
23 April 2015 | |
|
BOH Approval Date | ||
|
Saved as |
14056/06 PIL S2.ai M1 | |
|
Prints |
1 Colour - Black |