Azithromycin

FDA

Systemic

• Community-acquired pneumonia of mild severity (20%-30% of S. pneumoniae strains resistant to azithromycin but clinical significance unknown)
  • FDA-approved for adults and children (6 months and older)
• Pharyngitis (adults and children older than 2 years)
• Acute bacterial sinusitis(adults)
• Acute otitis media (pediatric, 6 months of age and older)
• Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(adults)
• Treatment and prophylaxis of disseminated M. avium infection (treatment requires co-administration with ethambutol)
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections(adults)
• Urethritis and cervicitis (caused by C. trachomatis)
  • Please see the modules for the latest recommendations.
• Genital ulcer disease
  • Please see the module for the latest recommendations.

Topical

• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • FDA labeling for coryneform group G (efficacy studied in fewer than 10 infections), Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mitis group, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

NON-FDA APPROVED USES

It is not a comprehensive listing, but azithromycin is commonly employed in the following:

• Babesiosis (in combination with atovaquone)
• Bartonella
• Diarrhea
  
  • IncludingCampylobacter, traveler’s diarrhea, Shigella
• Toxoplasmosis (with pyrimethamine)
• Meningococcal meningitis prophylaxis
• Falciparum malaria (in combination with artesunate), uncomplicated disease
• Pertussis
• Anti-inflammatory therapy in cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis