Azithromycin/Teva (azithromycin)

Azithromycin Teva (azithromycin) is a generic drug of Zithromax (azithromycin) and is an antibiotic for treating infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, and sexually transmitted diseases in adults.^1,3,4,5

Please note that this medicine may have also been approved in other regions than the ones we’ve listed.² If you have a question about its approval in a specific country feel free to contact our support team.

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

There is currently no cure for COVID-19.^6,7 However, there are ongoing global clinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of drugs already approved for other diseases and known to be largely safe, to save time, due to the urgency of treatments desperately needed and to avoid the further spread of the pandemic.⁸ Azithromycin has recently been used in combination with hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Initial trial results show that Azithromycin added to hydroxychloroquine was significantly more efficient for the SARS-CoV-2 virus elimination.⁹ Furthermore, Pfizer has reported positive safety data for the use of Zithromax (azithromycin) with hydroxychloroquine in a COVID-19 clinical trial performed in France.¹⁰

Off-label use

It is always possible—should your treating doctor decide so—to use a medication for another indication than the approved one. This is called off-label use and is legally allowed. Should you be in need of the medication off-label, for an indication such as COVID-19, ask your treating doctor for consideration. TheSocialMedwork can legally provide the medication based on an off-label prescription. Please be aware, should you agree to the off-label use of a medication, that you act on your own responsibility since the medicine has not been approved for the used indication. 

Side effects

Common side effects listed in the prescribing information include:^1,3,4,5

• diarrhea

• nausea

• abdominal pain

• vomiting

Please refer to the summary of product characteristics below and in the resource section for comprehensive information about the safety and effectiveness of Azithromycin Teva (azithromycin) for the approved indication.^1,3,4,5

References

1. Full prescribing information [FDA]: Zithromax (azithromycin) [PDF], Pfizer, April 2019.

2. List of nationally authorised medicinal products: Active substance: azithromycin [PDF], EMA, January 2018.

3. Product information [TGA]: Zithromax (azithromycin) [PDF], Pfizer, June 2019.

4. Product monograph [Health Canada]: Zithromax (azithromycin, 250 mg) [PDF], Pfizer, August 2019.

5. Product detail [Medsafe]: Zithromax (azithromycin, 250 mg) [PDF], Pfizer, February 2011.

6. Coronavirus Guidelines: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); William M. Detmer, MD, supported by the Unbound Medicine Team. Relief Central website. Accessed March 2020.

7. Is there a cure for the new coronavirus? Live Science website. Accessed March 2020.

8. WHO launches global megatrial of the four most promising coronavirus treatments. Science Mag website. Accessed March 2020.

9. Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID-19: results of an open-label non-randomized clinical trial. International  Journal of Antimicrobial  Agents (2020). doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105949

10. Pfizer reports safety data of azithromycin in Covid-19 trial. Clinical Trials Arena website. Accessed April 2020.