2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
[see Indications and Usage (1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
2.1 Community-Acquired Pneumonia
The recommended dose of Azithromycin for Injection, USP for the treatment of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia due to the indicated organisms is 500 mg as a single daily dose by the intravenous route for at least two days. Intravenous therapy should be followed by azithromycin by the oral route at a single, daily dose of 500 mg, administered as two 250-mg tablets to complete a 7- to 10-day course of therapy. The timing of the switch to oral therapy should be done at the discretion of the physician and in accordance with clinical response.
2.2 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The recommended dose of Azithromycin for Injection, USP for the treatment of adult patients with pelvic inflammatory disease due to the indicated organisms is 500 mg as a single daily dose by the intravenous route for one or two days. Intravenous therapy should be followed by azithromycin by the oral route at a single, daily dose of 250 mg to complete a 7-day course of therapy. The timing of the switch to oral therapy should be done at the discretion of the physician and in accordance with clinical response.
2.3 Preparation of the Solution for Intravenous Administration
The infusate concentration and rate of infusion for Azithromycin for Injection, USP should be either 1 mg/mL over 3 hours or 2 mg/mL over 1 hour. Azithromycin for Injection, USP should not be given as a bolus or as an intramuscular injection.
Reconstitution
Prepare the initial solution of Azithromycin for Injection by adding 4.8 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to the 500 mg vial and shaking the vial until all of the drug is dissolved. Since Azithromycin for Injection is supplied under vacuum, it is recommended that a standard 5 mL (non-automated) syringe be used to ensure that the exact amount of 4.8 mL of Sterile Water is dispensed. Each mL of reconstituted solution contains 100 mg azithromycin and 76.9 mg of anhydrous citric acid. Reconstituted solution is stable for 24 hours when stored below 30°C or 86°F.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. If particulate matter is evident in reconstituted fluids, the drug solution should be discarded.
Dilute this solution further prior to administration as instructed below.
Dilution
To provide azithromycin over a concentration range of 1-2 mg/mL, transfer 5 mL of the 100 mg/mL azithromycin solution into the appropriate amount of any of the diluents listed below:
Normal Saline (0.9% sodium chloride)
1/2 Normal Saline (0.45% sodium chloride)
5% Dextrose in Water
Lactated Ringer's Solution
5% Dextrose in 1/2 Normal Saline (0.45% sodium chloride) with 20 mEq KCl
5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer's Solution
5% Dextrose in 1/3 Normal Saline (0.3% sodium chloride)
5% Dextrose in 1/2 Normal Saline (0.45% sodium chloride)
Normosol®-M in 5% Dextrose
Normosol®-R in 5% Dextrose
When used with the drug reconstitution device, please reference the instructions for assembly and reconstitution.
Final Infusion Solution Concentration (mg/mL) | Amount of Diluent (mL) |
1 mg/mL | 500 mL |
2 mg/mL | 250 mL |
Other intravenous substances, additives, or medications should not be added to Azithromycin for Injection, or infused simultaneously through the same intravenous line.
Storage
When diluted according to the instructions (1 mg/mL to 2 mg/mL), Azithromycin for Injection is stable for 24 hours at or below room temperature (30°C or 86°F), or for 7 days if stored under refrigeration (5°C or 41°F).