Client Information Sheet

For

Azithromycin (Rx)

 

General Description: A macrolide antibiotic used to treat many bacterial infections in dogs and cats (ex. dermatological infections). Azithromycin is available as 250 mg and 600 mg tablets or as an oral suspension.

 

What is this drug?

• A relatively broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic

• Given by mouth

 

Reasons for prescribing:

• Useful to treat a variety of bacterial infections in dogs and cats

What dogs/cats should not take this medication?

• Pets known to have had an allergic reaction to macrolide antibiotics

• Use with caution in pets with liver disease

• Breeding, pregnant and nursing animals (safety is unknown)

 

Directions:

For liquids, shake well before accurately measuring the dose.

If using the suspension, give on empty stomach.

Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. This medication is usually given once or twice daily.

Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. Missed doses reduce the effectiveness of therapy.

Give this medication for as long as your veterinarian directs. Finish the entire course of treatment.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.

 

What if dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

 

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When will your pet need to be rechecked

• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug

• Risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products

• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever

• If your pet has experienced liver disease now or ever

• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever

• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet’s medicines can be given together.

• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

 

Storage and Warnings:

Store unmixed oral suspension and tablets in tight, childproof containers in a dry place at room temperature. After reconstitution, multiple dose bottles should be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days and then discarded. Single dose packets should be given immediately after mixing.

Do not refrigerate oral suspension. Shake well before use.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Pet owners allergic to macrolides and/or other antibiotics should avoid handling this drug.

 

Potential side effects:

• Vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Contact veterinarian if pet experiences severe vomiting or diarrhea.

• Liver damage (signs include yellowing of gums, skin and/or eyes)

• It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has a medical problem or side effect from this product’s therapy

 

Can this drug be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur with cisapride, cyclosporine, oral antacids and pimozide.

• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

 

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.

 

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal’s condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

 

As with all prescribed medicines, azithromycin should only be given to the dog/cat for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

 

This is just a summary of information about azithromycin. If you have any questions or concerns about azithromycin or for the condition it was prescribed, contact your veterinarian.

Azithromycin (Generic) Antibiotic Tablets and Oral Suspension for Pets (Rx)

Trade Names:

A macrolide antibiotic used to treat many bacterial infections in dogs and cats (ex. dermatological infections). Azithromycin is available as 250 mg and 600 mg tablets or as an oral suspension.

• A relatively broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic
• Given by mouth

• Useful to treat a variety of bacterial infections in dogs and cats

• Pets known to have had an allergic reaction to macrolide antibiotics
• Use with caution in pets with liver disease
• Breeding, pregnant and nursing animals (safety is unknown)

For liquids, shake well before accurately measuring the dose.

If using the suspension, give on empty stomach.

Give medication as directed by your veterinarian. This medication is usually given once or twice daily.

Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. Missed doses reduce the effectiveness of therapy.

Give this medication for as long as your veterinarian directs. Finish the entire course of treatment.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time daily.

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• Risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Store unmixed oral suspension and tablets in tight, childproof containers in a dry place at room temperature. After reconstitution, multiple dose bottles should be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days and then discarded. Single dose packets should be given immediately after mixing.

Do not refrigerate oral suspension. Shake well before use.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Pet owners allergic to macrolides and/or other antibiotics should avoid handling this drug.

• Vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Contact veterinarian if pet experiences severe vomiting or diarrhea.
• Liver damage (signs include yellowing of gums, skin and/or eyes)
• It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has a medical problem or side effect from this product's therapy

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur with cisapride, cyclosporine, oral antacids and pimozide.
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, azithromycin should only be given to the dog/cat for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about azithromycin. If you have any questions or concerns about azithromycin or for the condition it was prescribed, contact your veterinarian.