Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Conjunctivitis - infective
Trachoma: treatment

Contraindications

Wearing of contact lenses

Precautions and Warnings

History of progenitor cell transplantation

Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Advise patient not to use for 15 mins after applying any other ocular agent
Discard any unused portion
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
If no clinical response after 2-3 days consider alternative treatment
Discontinue if allergic reaction occurs
Maximum treatment 3 days
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Contact lenses should not be worn during treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

The manufacturer notes that this medication can be used during pregnancy as no effect on pregnancy is anticipated, since systemic exposure to azithromycin is negligible.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

The manufacturer notes that breast feeding is possible during treatment with this medication. Limited data indicates that azithromycin is excreted in breast milk but, considering the low dose and the low systemic availability, the doses taken by the neonate are negligible.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Allergic conjunctivitis
Angioedema
Blurred vision (transient)
Burning and stinging of the eyes
Conjunctival hyperaemia
Conjunctivitis
Eyelid eczema
Eyelid erythema
Eyelid oedema
Hypersensitivity reactions
Increased lacrimation
Keratitis
Ocular allergy
Ocular discomfort
Ocular pruritus
Sensation of foreign body in eye
Sticky sensation of the eye

Presentation

Eye drops containing azithromycin (preservative free)

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Conjunctivitis - infective
Trachoma: treatment

Dosage

Adults

Elderly

Children

Neonates

Contraindications

Wearing of contact lenses

Precautions and Warnings

History of progenitor cell transplantation

Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Advise patient not to use for 15 mins after applying any other ocular agent
Discard any unused portion
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
If no clinical response after 2-3 days consider alternative treatment
Discontinue if allergic reaction occurs
Maximum treatment 3 days
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Contact lenses should not be worn during treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

The manufacturer notes that this medication can be used during pregnancy as no effect on pregnancy is anticipated, since systemic exposure to azithromycin is negligible.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

The manufacturer notes that breast feeding is possible during treatment with this medication. Limited data indicates that azithromycin is excreted in breast milk but, considering the low dose and the low systemic availability, the doses taken by the neonate are negligible.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Allergic conjunctivitis
Angioedema
Blurred vision (transient)
Burning and stinging of the eyes
Conjunctival hyperaemia
Conjunctivitis
Eyelid eczema
Eyelid erythema
Eyelid oedema
Hypersensitivity reactions
Increased lacrimation
Keratitis
Ocular allergy
Ocular discomfort
Ocular pruritus
Sensation of foreign body in eye
Sticky sensation of the eye

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: July 2013

Reference Sources

British National Formulary, 65th Edition (March - September 2013) Pharmaceutical Press, London.

BNF for Children (2012-2013) Pharmaceutical Press, London.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Azyter 15mg/g eye drops. Spectrum Thea Pharmaceuticals Limited. Revised January 2013.

HPRA Safety Notice May 2018
Available at: https://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/default-document-library/important-safety-information---azithromycin.pdf?sfvrsn=0
Last accessed: 23 October 2018