ZITHROMAX* tablets and oral suspension - Discount Pharmacy ...

* coumarin-type oralanti-coagulants (a medicine usedto prevent blood clots)* cyclosporin (a medicine used toprevent organ transplant rejectionor to treat certain problems withthe immune system)* digoxin (a medicine used to treatheart failure)* ergot derivatives (such asergotamine, which is used to treatmigraines)* terfenadine or astemizole(medicines used to treat allergies)* zidovudine, a medicine used totreat patients with AIDSThese medicines may be affected byZithromax or may affect how well itworks. You may need differentamounts of your medicines, or youmay need to take different medicines.Your doctor or pharmacist has moreinformation on medicines to becareful with or to avoid while takingZithromax.Talk to your doctor about the needfor additional contraception whiletaking Zithromax.Some antibiotics may decrease theeffectiveness of some birth controlpills, although this has not beenshown with Zithromax.How to take ZithromaxFollow all directions given to youby your doctor or pharmacistcarefully.They may differ from theinformation contained in this leaflet.If you do not understand theinstructions on the pack, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist for help.How much to takeThe dose will depend on yourinfection.The usual dose to treat Chlamydia istwo 500 mg tablets taken as a singledose.For other infections Zithromax isusually taken once a day. Sometimesthe dose is taken once a week. Yourdoctor will decide the right dose foryou.The dose for your child will dependon his or her body weight.Zithromax oral suspension is for useby children.Your pharmacist will explain how touse it if you are not sure.How to take itTablets:Swallow the tablets whole withliquid.Oral Suspension:Shake the bottle well before use anduse the measuring syringe supplied.Zithromax may be taken with orwithout food.If you are taking an antacid (egGastrogel, Mylanta), take it atleast one hour before or two hoursafter your Zithromax dose.This will avoid any possible effect ofthe antacid on the absorption ofZithromax.Continue taking Zithromax untilyou finish the pack or bottle oruntil your doctor recommends.Do not stop taking it because youare feeling better.If you do not complete the fullcourse prescribed by your doctor, theinfection may not clear completely oryour symptoms may return.If you forget to take itIf you are taking Zithromax forthree days or longer and you missa dose, take it as soon as youremember (within a 24- hourperiod), then continue as normal.Do not try to make up for misseddoses by taking more than one doseat a time.If you are not sure what to do,check with your doctor orpharmacist.If you have trouble rememberingto take your Zithromax, ask yourpharmacist for some hints.If you take too much(Overdose)Immediately telephone your doctoror Poisons Information Centre(telephone in Australia - 13 11 26:in New Zealand - 0800 POISONSor 0800 764 766) for advice if youthink that you or anyone else mayhave taken too much Zithromax.Do this even if there are no signs ofdiscomfort or poisoning. You mayneed urgent medical attention.If you take too many tablets or toomuch oral suspension, you may getan upset stomach, diarrhoea or skinrashes.While you are usingZithromaxThings you must doIf the symptoms of your infectiondo not improve within a few days,or if they become worse, tell yourdoctor.If you get severe diarrhoea, tellyour doctor, pharmacist or nurseimmediately. Do this even if itoccurs several weeks afterZithromax has been stopped.Diarrhoea may mean that you have aserious condition affecting yourbowel. You may need urgentmedical care.Do not take any diarrhoeamedicine without first checkingwith your doctor.If you get a sore, white mouth ortongue while taking, or soon afterstopping Zithromax, tell yourdoctor. Also tell your doctor if youget vaginal itching or discharge.This may mean you have a yeastinfection called thrush. SometimesZITHROMAX* TABLETS AND ORAL SUSPENSION 2

the use of Zithromax allows yeast togrow and the above symptoms tooccur. Zithromax does not workagainst yeast.If you become pregnant whiletaking Zithromax, tell your doctor.If you are about to start any newmedicines, tell your doctor andpharmacist that you are takingZithromax.Tell any other doctors, dentists andpharmacists who are treating youthat you are taking Zithromax.Things you must not doDo not stop taking Zithromax orlower the dosage without checkingwith your doctor.If you do not complete the fullcourse prescribed by your doctor, allthe organisms causing your infectionmay not be killed. These organismsmay continue to grow and multiplyso that your infection may not clearcompletely or may return.Do not give Zithromax to anyoneelse, even if they have the samecondition as you.Do not use Zithromax to treat anyother medical complaints unlessyour doctor tells you to.Things to be careful ofProtect your skin when you are inthe sun, especially between 10amand 3pm.Some macrolide antibiotics maycause your skin to be more sensitiveto sunlight than it is normally.Exposure to sunlight may cause askin rash, itching, redness or severesunburn.If outdoors, wear protectiveclothing and use a 30+ sunscreen.If your skin does appear to beburning tell your doctorimmediately.Side effectsTell your doctor or pharmacist assoon as possible if you do not feelwell while you are takingZithromax.Like other medicines, Zithromax cancause some side effects. If theyoccur, most are likely to be minorand temporary. However, some maybe serious and need medicalattention.Ask your doctor or pharmacist toanswer any questions you mayhave.Do not be alarmed by the followinglist of side effects. You may notexperience any of them.While taking itTell your doctor or pharmacist ifyou notice any of the following andthey worry you:* oral thrush - white, furry, soretongue and mouth* vaginal thrush - sore and itchyvagina and/or white discharge* nausea (feeling sick), loss ofappetite, vomiting, stomach pain,indigestion, wind, constipation,diarrhoea, loose bowel motions* dizziness, headache, spinningsensation* tiredness, drowsiness* muscle or joint aches* hearing loss or ringing in theears.See your doctor immediately andbefore you take your next dose ofZithromax if you notice any of thefollowing:* severe persistent diarrhoea (loosebowel motions)* fast or irregular heart beat* chest pain* symptoms of sunburn such asredness, itching, swelling orblistering which may occur morequickly than normal* severe blistering or peeling of theskin* difficulty breathing* swelling of the face, lips ortongue* hives, itching or skin rash* fainting* yellowing of the eyes or skin,also called jaundice* bleeding or bruising more easilythan normal, reddish or purplishblotches under the skin* signs of frequent or worryinginfections such as fever, severechills, sore throat or mouth ulcers* blood in the urine or bowelmotions* convulsions (fits)* severe upper stomach pain, oftenwith nausea and vomiting.These symptoms are usually rare butmay be serious and need urgentmedical attention.After finishing itTell your doctor immediately ifyou notice any of the following sideeffects, particularly if they occurseveral weeks after stoppingtreatment with Zithromax:* severe stomach cramps* watery and severe diarrhoea,which may be bloody* fever, in combination with one orboth of the above.Zithromax can cause some bacteria,which are normally present in thebowel and normally harmless tomultiply and therefore cause theabove symptoms. You may needurgent medical attention. Howeverthis side effect is rare.Do not take any medicine for thisdiarrhoea without first checkingwith your doctor.Tell your doctor if you noticeanything else that is making youfeel unwell.Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients.ZITHROMAX* TABLETS AND ORAL SUSPENSION 3

After using ZithromaxStorageKeep Zithromax in its originalpackaging until it is time to use it.If you take Zithromax out of itspackaging, it may not keep as well.Keep your Zithromax in a cool,dry place where the temperaturestays below 30 degrees C.Do not store Zithromax or anyother medicine in the bathroom ornear a sink. Do not leave it in thecar or on a window sill.Heat and dampness can destroy somemedicines.Keep your Zithromax where youngchildren cannot reach it.A locked cupboard at least 1 1/2metres above the ground is a goodplace to store medicines.DisposalIf your doctor tells you to stoptaking this medicine, or it haspassed its expiry date, ask yourpharmacist what to do with anythat is left over.Discard any oral suspension leftover after 10 days.Product descriptionWhat it looks likeZithromax tablets come in twostrengths:* Zithromax 500 mg - white,scored, capsule-shaped tabletsmarked 'ZTM 500' on one sideand 'Pfizer' on the other. Blisterpacks of 2 and 3.* *Zithromax 600 mg - white,scored, capsule-shaped tabletsmarked 'ZTM 600' on one sideand 'Pfizer' on the other. Blisterpack of 8.*Zithromax Powder for OralSuspension comes in a 15 mL bottleand is a white liquid when made upwith water.*Not available in New ZealandIngredientsActive ingredient500 mg Tablets- 500 mg azithromycin per tablet600 mg Tablets- 600 mg azithromycin per tabletPowder for Oral Suspension- 200 mg azithromycin per 5 mLOther ingredientsTablets* pregelatinsed-maize starch* calcium hydrogen phosphate* croscarmellose sodium* magnesium stearate* sodium lauryl sulfate* lactose* hypromellose* titanium dioxide* glycerol triacetatePowder for Oral Suspension* sucrose* sodium phosphate* hydroxypropylcellulose* xanthan gum* cherry flavour* banana flavour* vanilla flavourSupplierZithromax is supplied in Australiaby:Pfizer Australia Pty LtdABN 50 008 422 34838-42 Wharf RoadWest Ryde NSW 2114AustraliaToll Free Number: 1800 675 229Zithromax is supplied in NewZealand by:Pfizer New Zealand LtdPO Box 3998AucklandNew ZealandToll Free Number: 0800 736 363Australian RegistrationNumbers500 mg Tablets: AUST R 58797600 mg Tablets: AUST R 60057Powder for Oral Suspension200 mg/5mL: AUST R 60049This leaflet was revised on4 June 2004.(C) Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd, 1998* Registered TrademarkZITHROMAX* TABLETS AND ORAL SUSPENSION 4