Azithromycin - Available Forms

Available Forms

Azithromycin is commonly administered in tablet or oral suspension (a one-dose version was made available in 2005). It is also available for intravenous injection and in a 1% ophthalmic solution. Tablets come in doses of 250 mg and 500 mg. Oral suspension comes in strengths of 100 mg/5 ml and 200 mg/5 ml. The 250-mg tablets are often dispensed in packages of six and commonly referred to as a "Z-Pak," whereas the 500-mg tablets are commonly available commercially in a pack of three tablets, or "Tri-Pak," intended as a three-day treatment. A common dose of oral azithromycin therapy consists of a "double dose" of medication on the first day of treatment and subsequent treatment for four or five additional days. With the "Z-Pak", this means two 250-mg tablets (a total of 500 mg) on the first day and one 250-mg tablet once daily for the next four days.

Pfizer brand name, i.e. Zithromax, azithromycin tablets are mottled pink, unscored, film-coated, modified oval-shaped tablets containing azithromycin monohydrate and the following inactive ingredients: butylated hydroxytoluene, calcium phosphate, carmine, colloidal silicon dioxide, FD&C red # 40 lake, FD&C yellow # 6 lake, hypromellose (2910, 15cP), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. In Colombia (South America), it is marketed under the name Zaret from Laboratorios Bussié. In Bangladesh, it is marketed under the name Azithin from Chemist Laboratories Ltd., and Penalox from Rephco Pharmaceuticals Limited.