Daily Medication Pearl: Azithromycin Ophthalmic Solution (AzaSite)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Azithromycin Ophthalmic Solution (AzaSite)

Indication: AzaSite is a macrolide antibiotic indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates of the following microorganisms: CDC coryneform group G, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mitis group, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Insight:

• Dosing: Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, 8 to 12 hours apart for the first 2 days and then instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once daily for the next 5 days.
• Dosage forms: 5 mL size bottle filled with 2.5 mL of 1% sterile topical ophthalmic solution.
• Adverse events (AEs): The most common AE reported in patients was eye irritation (1%-2% of patients).
• Mechanism of action: Azithromycin acts by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible microorganisms and interfering with microbial protein synthesis.
• Manufacturer: Inspire Pharmaceuticals

Sources:

• label (fda.gov)
• azasite image - Google Search