From the Guidelines
The recommended dose for Azithromycin (Zithromax) Z Pak is 12 mg per kg once daily, with a maximum dose of 500 mg, for 5 days. This dosage is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which provides a strong recommendation with moderate quality of evidence 1. The Z Pak is a convenient, oral antibiotic regimen that is effective against a variety of bacterial infections.
- Key points to consider when prescribing Azithromycin Z Pak include:
- The medication should be taken orally, with or without food, although taking it with food may help minimize stomach upset.
- The entire 5-day course should be completed, even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication, to ensure complete eradication of the infection and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
- Common side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, and patients should be advised to report any severe or persistent side effects to their healthcare provider.
- It's worth noting that the dosage of Azithromycin Z Pak may vary depending on the specific infection being treated and the patient's individual needs, but the recommended dose of 12 mg per kg once daily, with a maximum dose of 500 mg, for 5 days is a commonly used and effective regimen 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Adults Infection *Recommended Dose/Duration of Therapy *DUE TO THE INDICATED ORGANISMS (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.) Community-acquired pneumonia (mild severity) Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (second line therapy) Skin/skin structure (uncomplicated) 500 mg as a single dose on Day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on Days 2 through 5
The recommended dose for Azithromycin (Zithromax) Z Pak is 500 mg as a single dose on Day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on Days 2 through 5 for adults with community-acquired pneumonia (mild severity), pharyngitis/tonsillitis (second line therapy), or skin/skin structure (uncomplicated) infections 2.
- Key points:
- Dose: 500 mg on Day 1, then 250 mg daily on Days 2-5
- Duration: 5 days
- Indications: Community-acquired pneumonia, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, skin/skin structure infections
From the Research
Azithromycin Z Pak Dose
The recommended dose for Azithromycin (Zithromax) Z Pak is as follows:
- A total dose of 1.5 g azithromycin, which can be administered as a three-day regimen (500 mg once daily) or a five-day regimen (500 mg on day 1, followed by 250 mg once daily on days 2 to 5) 3, 4, 5.
- The 1.5 g total dose is equally effective when administered as a three- or five-day regimen for the treatment of atypical pneumonia 3, 5.
- A single 1 g oral dose may be effective in the treatment of many sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydial infections of the genital tract 4, 6.
Key Points
- The unique pharmacokinetics of azithromycin are characterized by high, sustained tissue concentrations 4, 7, 6.
- Tissue concentrations of azithromycin are much higher than serum concentrations, which suggests that proposed standard dosage regimens will produce tissue concentrations above the MICs of relevant pathogens 4, 6.
- The pharmacokinetics of azithromycin is not significantly altered in elderly subjects and in patients with mild to moderate renal or hepatic insufficiency 7.