Azithromycin Ophthalmic

Azithromycin Ophthalmic is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. 

• Azithromycin Ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: AzaSite 

Common side effects of Azithromycin Ophthalmic include:

• Eye irritation,
• Dry or itchy eyes,
• Blurred vision,
• Stuffy nose, and
• Changes in your sense of taste

Serious side effects of Azithromycin Ophthalmic include:

• Hives,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• Fever,
• Sore throat,
• Burning eyes,
• Skin pain,
• Red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling,
• Draining or crusting of the eye,
• Severe burning, stinging, itching, or other irritation after using the eye drops,
• Feeling like something is in the eye,
• Changes to the surface of the eye,
• Eye pain or swelling,
• Eyelid irritation, and
• Any signs of a new infection

Rare side effects of Azithromycin Ophthalmic include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 1 % (2.5mL)

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Adult dosage

• Apply 1 drop to the affected eye(s) twice daily (8-12 hours apart) for 2 days; THEN apply 1 drop once a day for 5 days

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 1 year
  • Safety & efficacy not established
• Children above 1 year
  • Apply 1 drop to the affected eye(s) twice daily (8-12 hours apart) for 2 days; THEN apply 1 drop once a day for 5 days

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Azithromycin Ophthalmic has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Azithromycin Ophthalmic has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Azithromycin Ophthalmic has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Azithromycin Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Azithromycin Ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Azithromycin Ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• Known hypersensitivity to azithromycin or erythromycin
• Serious allergic reactions, including angioedema, anaphylaxis, and dermatologic reactions including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported; although rare, fatalities have been reported
• Discontinue use if superinfection occurs
• May result in the overgrowth of no susceptible organisms including fungi
• Avoid contact lens wear during therapy of S/S of bacterial conjunctivitis
• Do not administer systemically; inject SC; or apply directly into the anterior eye chamber

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution