dye-rith-roe-MYE-sin
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic
Chemical Class: Macrolide
Uses For dirithromycin
Dirithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, dirithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Dirithromycin was available only with your doctor's prescription.
Dirithromycin is no longer available in the United States.
Before Using dirithromycin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dirithromycin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dirithromycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies on dirithromycin have been only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of dirithromycin in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
dirithromycin has been tested in a limited number of elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Pregnancy
|
Pregnancy Category |
Explanation |
|---|
| All Trimesters |
C |
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking dirithromycin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using dirithromycin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dihydroergotamine
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Methylergonovine
- Methysergide
- Pimozide
Using dirithromycin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using dirithromycin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dirithromycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Liver disease—Patients with moderate to severe liver disease may have an increased chance of side effects.
Proper Use of dirithromycin
Dirithromycin should be taken with food or within 1 hour after eating.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking dirithromycin for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking dirithromycin too soon, your symptoms may return.
Do not cut, crush, or chew dirithromycin tablets.
Dosing
The dose of dirithromycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of dirithromycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For bacterial infections:
- Adults and teenagers—500 milligrams (mg) once a day for seven to fourteen days.
- Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of dirithromycin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using dirithromycin
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
dirithromycin Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare- Abdominal tenderness
- fever
- severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
- watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common- Diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: dirithromycin side effects (in more detail)
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More dirithromycin resources
- Dirithromycin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Dirithromycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Dirithromycin Drug Interactions
- Dirithromycin Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Dirithromycin - Add your own review/rating
- dirithromycin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Dirithromycin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
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