Use of Azithromycin under 16 years of age

[sharifhs]

I got in Encarta that Azithromycin is not recommended for use by children under 16 years of age. Can anyone explain why azithromycin should not be used under 16?
It is also mentioned in some other drug-reference websites that the safety and efficacy of Azithromycin have not been established for children under 16 years of age. What are the causes and when should one use Azithromycin if he or she is under 16? Because the doses of Aziyhromycin for children under 16 yrs are also mentioned in all Drug reference books.

[bobbin]

I got in Encarta that Azithromycin is not recommended for use by children under 16 years of age. Can anyone explain why azithromycin should not be used under 16?
It is also mentioned in some other drug-reference websites that the safety and efficacy of Azithromycin have not been established for children under 16 years of age. What are the causes and when should one use Azithromycin if he or she is under 16? Because the doses of Aziyhromycin for children under 16 yrs are also mentioned in all Drug reference books.

Encarta is not a good place to get drug infomation. Azithromycin can be used in children. The dose and indications are shown in the BNF-C.

[sharifhs]

Encarta is not a good place to get drug infomation. Azithromycin can be used in children. The dose and indications are shown in the BNF-C.

Hi bobbin I got some information:

1. Safety and effectiveness in the treatment of pediatric patients with otitis media, acute bacterial sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia under 6 months of age have not been established, patient should be 6 months of age or greater to treat with recommended dose

2.Safety and effectiveness in the treatment of pediatric patients with pharyngitis/tonsillitis under 2 years of age have not been established, patient should be 2 years or greater to treat with recommended dose

3.Safety and effectiveness of azithromycin for injection in children or adolescents under 16 years have not been established.

For details see this site: http://www.rxlist.com/zithromax-drug.htm#
and http://www.rxlist.com/zithromax-injection-drug.htm

[DavidS]

The dose and indications are shown in the BNF-C.

The Bangladeshi version of the BNF-C is proving hard to obtain...........

[sharifhs]

The Bangladeshi version of the BNF-C is proving hard to obtain...........

Yeah, I dont have this copy at hand but whats your opinion about the use of azithromycin under 6 months, 2 yrs and 16 yrs of age?

[johnep]

Why use at all? Expensive and only necessary in very acute situations.
johnep

[sharifhs]

Thank you jonep, any other information from you regarding use of azithromycin under 16 yrs of age?

[johnep]

From BNF for children:
Child over 6 months 10mg/kg (max 500mg once daily for three days.
Body-weight 25-35kg 300mg once daily for three days.
Body-weight 36-45kg 400mg once daily for three days.
Body-weight over 45kg 500mg once daily for three days.
Infection in cystic fibrosis 6mnths-18 years 10mg/kg once daily for three days.
Course repeated after one week, then as necessary.

Other indications are given, but what do you have in mind.?
This is not an antibiotic for routine use.
johnep

[sharifhs]

Thanks jonep, your response was really helpful. What do you think about my second post of this thread?

[johnep]

Do not post any email address on the forum. The dreaded spambots will hunt you down. Always use the PM system.
johnep