Azithromycin Intravenous Infusion for Adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

Important information

  • Reserve antimicrobial: Restricted to indications in the antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, or following approval by microbiology/infectious diseases

Available preparations

Zedbac 500mg vial

Reconstitution

Water for injection

4.8mL per 500mg vial

The resulting concentration is 500mg in 5mL (100mg per mL)

Dilute further prior to administration

Infusion fluids

Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5%

Methods of intravenous administration

Intermittent intravenous infusion

  • Add 500mg to 250mL infusion fluid and administer over 60 minutes
  • Alternatively may add 500mg to 500mL (1mg per mL) and administer over three hours

Dose in adults

Usual dose

  • Give 500mg every twenty-four hours for at least two consecutive days
  • Consider converting to oral equivalent as soon as clinically appropriate

Renal or hepatic impairment

  • No dosage adjustment necessary for renal impairment (GFR 10 to 80mL/min)
  • Caution if using in severe renal impairment (GFR<10mL/min)
  • Dose adjustment is not required for patients with mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction but it should be used with caution in patients with significant hepatic disease

Storage

  • Store below 250C

References

Zedbac SPC April 2022

Therapeutic classification

Macrolide antibiotic