Maczith 500 | 1 Strip

✔️ Pharmacology

Azithromycin is an acid-stable macrolide that is well absorbed after oral administration and does not require protection from gastric acid. Absorption is enhanced when taken on an empty stomach, with peak plasma concentration typically achieved within 2.1–3.2 hours.

Azithromycin achieves exceptionally high concentrations in tissues and phagocytes—over 50 times higher than plasma levels—due to its high lipid solubility and ion trapping mechanism. During infection, azithromycin is actively released at the site of inflammation through phagocytic activity.

Its extended half-life (approximately 68 hours) supports once-daily dosing and short treatment courses. The drug is mainly excreted unchanged in bile, with about 6% eliminated in urine over a week.

✔️ Side Effects

• Maczith is generally well-tolerated. Reported side effects are usually mild and transient, including:
• Gastrointestinal disturbances: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence
• Allergic reactions: rash, photosensitivity, rare hypersensitivity reactions
• Elevated liver enzymes, rarely cholestatic jaundice
• Transient mild neutropenia
• Reversible hearing loss (rare, associated with prolonged high doses)

✔️ Drug Interactions

• Antacids: Take azithromycin at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids.
• Cyclosporin: Monitor levels and adjust dose if co-administered.
• Digoxin: May increase digoxin levels—monitor closely.
• Warfarin: Co-administration may require INR monitoring.
• Ergot derivatives: Contraindicated due to risk of ergotism.
• Methylprednisolone & Theophylline: No significant interaction reported, but monitor levels if co-administered.
• Carbamazepine & Terfenadine: No significant pharmacokinetic interactions observed.

✔️ Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, or other macrolides
• Concomitant use with ergot derivatives
• Severe hepatic impairment

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category B: Animal studies show no fetal harm; use only if necessary.

It is unknown whether azithromycin is excreted in breast milk; use caution in lactating women.

✔️ Oral Administration of Maczith 250

Adults:

500 mg once daily for 3 days, or

500 mg on day 1 followed by 250 mg once daily for the next 4 days

For Chlamydia trachomatis infections: 1 g single dose or 500 mg on day 1 followed by 250 mg once daily for 2 days

Children (over 6 months):

10 mg/kg once daily for 3 days

15–25 kg: 200 mg (1 tsp) once daily for 3 days

26–35 kg: 300 mg (1½ tsp) once daily for 3 days

36–45 kg: 400 mg (2 tsp) once daily for 3 days

In typhoid fever, 500 mg once daily for 7–10 days

✔️ Precautions

• Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema or anaphylaxis.
• Use cautiously in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
• No evidence suggests impairment of ability to drive or operate machinery.

✔️ Storage:

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat.
Keep out of reach of children.