Azithromycin is a prescription medication used to treat many bacterial infections such as those of the lungs and airways, eyes, ears, sinuses, skin, throat, and infections from sexually transmitted diseases. Azithromycin belongs to a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, which stop the growth of bacteria.
This medication comes in tablet, oral (by mouth) suspension, eye drops, and injection forms. The tablets and regular suspensions are taken once a day, with or without food. The extended release suspension is taken once only on an empty stomach. The eye drops are used in the affected eye twice a day. The injection is given by a healthcare professional.
Common side effects of azithromycin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and headache. Eye irritation is the common side effect of the eye drop form.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Azasite will harm your unborn baby.
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.
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".
Take Azasite exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
The recommended Azasite dosage for bacterial conjunctivitis is one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, eight to twelve hours apart, for the first two days. Then, instill one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily for the next five days.
If you take too much Azasite, call your local Poison Control Center or your doctor right away.
Azasite comes as an eye drop containing 10 mg of active drug in each mL.
Active ingredient: azithromycin
Inactive ingredients: 0.003% benzalkonium chloride, mannitol, citric acid, sodium citrate, poloxamer 407, polycarbophil, edetate disodium (EDTA), sodium chloride, water, and sodium hydroxide.
- 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.