IV Azithromycin: Administration

Recommended Administration Concentration & Rate   

• Infusate concentration and rate of infusion for azithromycin should either be 1mg/ml over 3 hours or 2 mg/ml over 1 hour. 
• All volunteers who received infusate concentrations above 2.0 mg/mL experienced local I.V. site reactions and, therefore, higher concentrations should be avoided.

Considerations in Fluid Restricted Patients

• May dilute 500 mg in 100 mL (5mg/mL) and infuse over at least 1 hour. Slowing rate of infusion to 3 hours should alleviate symptoms.
• Monitor patient IV site for thrombophlebitis (redness, heat, swelling, pain).

Reference:

1. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2001/50733s5lbl.pdf
2. Luke, D. R., & Foulds, G. (1997). Toleration of intravenous azithromycin. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 31(9), 965–9. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9296232
3.  http://www.viha.ca/nr/rdonlyres/395e5104-1936-4212-a1a5-5ccd0b9d89be/0/iv_azithromycin.pdf