Azasite Information and Uses

Azasite

Azasite Overview

Azasite (generic: azithromycin) is a prescription antibiotic medicine used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria. Azasite belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. Azasite kills bacteria by decreasing the bacteria's ability to make proteins.

Azasite comes in the form of eye drops. The dose is usually one drop in the affected eye, two times a day.

Common side effects include eye irritation and discomfort. Do not wear contacts while taking this medication.

Uses of Azasite

Azasite is a prescription antibiotic medicine used to treat eye infections. Symptoms treated are: discharge coming from the eye, eye redness, and eye irritation.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Azasite

The most common side effect of Azasite is eye irritation.

Other side effects seen with Azasite include:

eye burning, stinging and irritation when the drop hits your eye
irritation on your eyelid and the skin around your eye
a feeling of discomfort and irritation or that something is in your eye
dry eye
eye pain
eye itching
discharge coming from your eye
changes to the surface of your eye
blurred vision
changes in your taste
hives and rash on your skin
stuffy nose and sinus infection
swelling around your eye or of your face

Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Azasite. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Azasite Interactions

Azasite is unlikely to interact with other drugs you take by mouth or inject, but be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Azasite Precautions

Do not use Azasite if you are allergic to azithromycin or any of the ingredients in Azasite.

Do not wear contact lenses if you have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis and until you have finished your prescribed course of treatment. The symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis may include:

discharge coming from the eye
eye redness
eye irritation

Only your doctor can tell you if you have bacterial conjunctivitis.

Severe allergic reactions have been reported rarely when azithromycin has been taken by mouth.

Serious rash or serious allergic reactions may occur. Azithromycin, the active ingredient in Azasite, may cause a serious rash or a serious allergic reaction. Both of these reactions may need to be treated in a hospital and may be life-threatening.
Stop taking Azasite and call your doctor right away or get emergency help if you have any of these symptoms:
- skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or your skin blisters and peels
- swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- trouble swallowing or breathing

Increased risk of other infections caused by bacteria or fungi.

Using Azasite for a long time may cause other bacteria or fungi to grow. If this happens you may get a new infection. Tell your doctor right away if your symptoms do not get better.

Azasite Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Azasite there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Azasite.

Inform MD

Before you use Azasite, tell your doctor if you:

wear contact lenses. Do not wear contact lenses if you have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Azasite and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Azasite will harm your unborn baby.

Azasite and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known is Azasite is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Azasite Usage

Read the "Instructions for Use" leaflet that comes with Azasite for the correct way to use this product.

Use Azasite exactly as your doctor tells you to use it.
Thoroughly wash your hands before using Azasite.
For the first 2 days place 1 drop of Azasite in your eye (or eyes) each morning and 1 drop in your eye (or eyes) each evening. Wait 8 to 12 hours after placing your morning drops before you place evening drops in your eye (or eyes).
For the next 5 days place 1 drop of Azasite in your eye (or eyes) 1 time each day.
Turn the closed bottle upside down and shake once before each use.
Remove the cap with the bottle still upside down, tilt your head back, and gently squeeze the bottle to instill one drop into the affected eye(s).
Make sure you continue to use Azasite as directed by your doctor even if you feel better after you start using it. Skipping drops can increase the chances that:
- your medicine will not work well
- Bacteria can develop resistance, which means in the future your bacterial conjunctivitis may not improve from Azasite or other drugs that treat infections from bacteria.

Stop using Azasite and call your doctor right away if an allergic reaction occurs. See "Precautions".

Do not wear contacts if you have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. See "Precautions".

Before you open your Azasite, store it in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
After you open your Azasite, store it at room temperature or the refrigerator between 36°F to 77°F (2°C to 25°C).
Azasite should not be stored for more than 14 days after opening. After 14 days, throw the Azasite bottle away.
Safely throw away medicine that is out of date or no longer needed.

Keep Azasite and all medicines out of reach of children.