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Azithromycin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 5, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 500 mg; 250 mg; 1 g; 600 mg; 100 mg/5 mL; 200 mg/5 mL; 2 g; 2.5 g

Usual Adult Dose for Legionella Pneumonia

Patients who require initial IV therapy:


Patients appropriate for oral therapy: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Patients who require initial IV therapy:


Patients appropriate for oral therapy: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

Patients who require initial IV therapy:


Patients appropriate for oral therapy: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate pharyngitis/tonsillitis due to S pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in patients who cannot use first-line therapy

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations: 12 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 days


Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis

500 mg orally once a day for 3 days

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate acute bacterial sinusitis due to H influenzae, M catarrhalis, or S pneumoniae

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to S aureus, S pyogenes, or S agalactiae

IDSA Recommendations:


The Panel on Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV (the Panel) Recommendations:

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Bartonellosis

500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to S aureus, S pyogenes, or S agalactiae

IDSA Recommendations:


The Panel on Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV (the Panel) Recommendations:

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Gonococcal Infection - Uncomplicated

2 g orally as a single dose

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate urethritis and cervicitis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae

US CDC Recommendations: 2 g orally as a single dose

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Nongonococcal Urethritis

1 g orally as a single dose

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis

US CDC Recommendations:

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Chlamydia Infection

1 g orally as a single dose

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis

US CDC Recommendations:

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Cervicitis

1 g orally as a single dose

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis

US CDC Recommendations:

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Chancroid

1 g orally as a single dose

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)

Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

IV: 500 mg IV once a day for 1 or 2 days
Oral: After IV therapy, 250 mg orally once a day to complete a 7-day course of therapy

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or M hominis in patients who require initial IV therapy

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis

For 3-day regimen: 500 mg orally once a day for 3 days
For 5-day regimen: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 through 5

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis due to H influenzae, M catarrhalis, or S pneumoniae

Usual Adult Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis

1200 mg orally once a week

Use: Alone or in combination with rifabutin (at its approved dose), for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced HIV infection

The Panel Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment

600 mg orally once a day

Comments:


Use: In combination with ethambutol, for the treatment of disseminated MAC infections in patients with advanced HIV infection

American Thoracic Society (ATS), European Respiratory Society (ERS), European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), and IDSA Recommendations:

The Panel Recommendations: 500 to 600 mg orally once a day

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Mycobacterium kansasii

600 mg orally once a day

Comments:


Use: In combination with ethambutol, for the treatment of disseminated MAC infections in patients with advanced HIV infection

American Thoracic Society (ATS), European Respiratory Society (ERS), European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), and IDSA Recommendations:

The Panel Recommendations: 500 to 600 mg orally once a day

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Granuloma Inguinale

US CDC Recommendations: 1 g orally once a week OR 500 mg orally once a day for greater than 3 weeks and until all lesions have completely healed

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis

American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Pertussis

American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease - Erythema Chronicum Migrans

IDSA, American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Recommendations: 500 mg orally once a day
Duration of therapy: 7 days (range: 5 to 10 days)

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Babesiosis

IDSA Recommendations:
Ambulatory patients (mild to moderate disease): 500 mg orally on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally every 24 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days in immunocompetent patients; often extended in immunocompromised patients

Hospitalized patients:

Total duration of therapy (acute disease plus step-down therapy): 7 to 10 days

Refractory infections: 500 to 1000 mg orally once a day should be considered

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

American Heart Association (AHA) Recommendations: 500 mg orally as a single dose 30 to 60 minutes before procedure

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

The Panel Recommendations: 500 mg orally once a day for 5 days

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Shigellosis

The Panel Recommendations: 500 mg orally once a day for 5 days

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

ASBMT Recommendations: 250 mg orally once a day

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Syphilis - Early

The Panel Recommendations: 2 g orally as a single dose

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media

6 months or older:


Comments:

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate acute otitis media due to H influenza, M catarrhalis, or S pneumoniae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Legionella Pneumonia

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg orally once a day on days 2 through 5


16 years or older:
Patients who require initial IV therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) Recommendations for Infants and Children Older Than 3 Months:
Inpatient (all ages) and for specific pathogens:

Outpatient:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Mycoplasma Pneumonia

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg orally once a day on days 2 through 5


16 years or older:
Patients who require initial IV therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) Recommendations for Infants and Children Older Than 3 Months:
Inpatient (all ages) and for specific pathogens:

Outpatient:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg orally once a day on days 2 through 5


16 years or older:
Patients who require initial IV therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) Recommendations for Infants and Children Older Than 3 Months:
Inpatient (all ages) and for specific pathogens:

Outpatient:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

2 years or older: 12 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 days


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate pharyngitis/tonsillitis due to S pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in patients who cannot use first-line therapy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinusitis

6 months or older: 10 mg/kg once a day for 3 days


Comments:

Use: Treatment of mild to moderate acute bacterial sinusitis due to H influenza, M catarrhalis, or S pneumoniae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

16 years or older:


Comments:

Use: For the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or M hominis in patients who require initial IV therapy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

IDSA Recommendations:


The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bartonellosis

IDSA Recommendations:


The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Gonococcal Infection - Uncomplicated

US CDC Recommendations for Adolescents: 2 g orally as a single dose

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chlamydia Infection

US CDC Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis

The Panel on Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Exposed and HIV-Infected Children Recommendations:
Primary prophylaxis:


Secondary prophylaxis: 5 mg/kg orally once a day

The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment

The Panel on Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Exposed and HIV-Infected Children Recommendations: 10 to 12 mg/kg orally once a day for at least 12 months


The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents: 500 to 600 mg orally once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis Prophylaxis

ASBMT Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pertussis

ASBMT Recommendations:


Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lyme Disease - Erythema Chronicum Migrans

IDSA, AAN, and ACR Recommendations for Children: 10 mg/kg orally once a day

Duration of therapy: 7 days (range: 5 to 10 days)

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Babesiosis

IDSA Recommendations:
Ambulatory patients (mild to moderate disease): 10 mg/kg orally on day 1, followed by 5 mg/kg orally every 24 hours

Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days in immunocompetent patients; often extended in immunocompromised patients

Hospitalized patients:
Total duration of therapy (acute disease plus step-down therapy): 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

AHA Recommendations for Children: 15 mg/kg orally as a single dose 30 to 60 minutes before procedure
Maximum dose: 500 mg/dose

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents: 500 mg orally once a day for 5 days

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Shigellosis

The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents: 500 mg orally once a day for 5 days

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Syphilis - Early

The Panel Recommendations for Adolescents: 2 g orally as a single dose

Comments:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Comments:

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


IV therapy: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 16 years.
Oral therapy:

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
IV Administration:

Oral Administration:

Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

IV compatibility:

General:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.