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Roxithromycin

Why it's used

Roxithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections. These include bacterial infections of the throat, pharynx, tonsils, cavities around the nasal passages, airways of the lungs, and skin and soft tissue infections. Roxithromycin is also used to treat infection causing red sores on the skin, community-acquired pneumonia and urethral inflammation which is not caused by sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Roxithromycin works by killing or blocking the growth of bacteria that are causing infection.
When not to use
Roxithromycin will not work against infections caused by fungi or yeast. Roxithromycin will not work against viral infections such as flu.
Macrolide Antibacterial
Roxithromycin is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of medicines called Macrolide Antibacterial. Macrolide antibacterials are a class of antibiotics that are used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. They are commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate bacterial infections.

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How to use

Follow directions on the product label, information guide, and provided by your doctor before using Roxithromycin. Eat this medicine as per your doctor's instructions.
Roxithromycin is eaten at least 15 minutes before food. Roxithromycin works best if taken on an empty stomach. The food in the stomach can decrease the absorption of this medicine. The medicine should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

Typical Dosage

The typical adult dose of Roxithromycin is 300 mg per day in a single or two divided doses. This medicine is commonly used for a period of 5 to 10 days for a bacterial infection. Roxithromycin is typically used at the same time every day. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will produce the best effect. There are no known habit-forming tendencies with this medicine.
This medicine should be used on an as-needed basis. You should continue to use this medicine as directed by the doctor even if you feel well.

Talk to Your Doctor

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens or if you develop new symptoms. Talk to your doctor if diarrhea, sore, white mouth or tongue, vaginal itching, and vaginal discharge.

Use in Children

If you are giving Roxithromycin to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for use in children. Before giving this medicine, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the leaflet or product package. Consult with your doctor if the product package does not provide specific information for children.

Lab Tests

Your doctor may require that certain tests be performed before using Roxithromycin. The doctor may ask you to have Antibiotic Susceptibility test. This test should be performed to determine organisms' susceptibility and treatment suitability.

Storage

Store Roxithromycin below 25°C (77°F), and away from moisture. Keep this medicine away from children and pets.
Medicines may be given for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Roxithromycin for symptoms for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Roxithromycin to others who may have similar symptoms as you. Self-medication can cause harm.

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How to take Roxithromycin

Your dose may depend on several personal factors. You should consult with your doctor to find out the dose that is best for you. The dose of Roxithromycin depends on the following factors:
  • patient's age
  • patient's weight
  • patient's health
  • response to treatment

Roxithromycin Dosage

Dosage for bacterial infections

Adult
  • Recommended: 300 mg/day, 150 mg twice a day or two 150 mg tablets once a day

Forms

Tablet
Strength: 150 mg, 300 mg

Missed Dose

If you have missed a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember it. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed one. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Contact the doctor if not sure about what to do for the missed dose.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Roxithromycin?
If you overdose Roxithromycin, immediately contact your doctor.
If you think you have overdosed on Roxithromycin, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Roxithromycin

Before you use Roxithromycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to macrolide antibiotic for example azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin.
Before having any surgery, discuss with your doctor and dentist about medicines you use including prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, and herbal supplements.

Use when Pregnant

Consult with your doctor on the use of Roxithromycin during pregnancy or if you are planning to become pregnant.

If Breastfeeding

Consult with your doctor on the use of Roxithromycin during breastfeeding. This medicine passes into breast milk.

If trying to Conceive

Consult with your doctor on the use of Roxithromycin, if you are trying to conceive.

Dizziness

Roxithromycin can make you feel sleepy. Be careful, especially while driving, while using heavy machinery, or when doing any activity that needs you to be completely alert. The consumption of alcohol with Roxithromycin can worsen the sleepiness.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Roxithromycin to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only When Necessary
Warning: You should consult with the doctor about taking this medicine.

Breastfeeding

Only When Necessary
Warning: You should consult with the doctor about taking this medicine.

Younger Adults Population

Possibly safe
Warning: 

Roxithromycin Side-effects

Rarely, the use of Roxithromycin may cause the following side-effects:
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Roxithromycin:
  • Difficulty in breathing
    If this happens, this medicine should not be used and contact the doctor immediately.
  • Contact the doctor immediately if this happens even after several weeks of stopping the medicine.
  • Swelling of the lips, face, mouth, and tongue
    If this happens, this medicine should not be used and contact the doctor immediately.
  • Severe persistent diarrhea
    If this happens, contact the doctor immediately.
  • Difficulty in swallowing
    If this happens, stop using this medicine and contact the doctor immediately.
  • Severe stomach cramps
    Contact the doctor immediately if this happens even after several weeks of stopping the medicine.
  • An allergic reaction
    Symptoms: itching of the skin, skin rash, swelling on the affected areas asthma
    In this case, avoid using Roxithromycin and tell your doctor immediately.
  • Severe skin rash
    If this happens, stop using this medicine and contact the doctor immediately.
Your doctor has prescribed this Roxithromycin because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This is not a complete list of possible side-effects for Roxithromycin.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Roxithromycin by Severity and Frequency

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:
  • an allergic reaction
  • difficulty in breathing
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • fever
  • severe persistent diarrhea
  • severe skin rash
  • severe stomach cramps
  • swelling of the lips, face, mouth, and tongue

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
  • asthma
  • itching of the skin
  • severe skin rash
  • swelling on the affected area
If this happens, stop using this medicine and contact the doctor immediately.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Severe Liver Problems

If the patients have severe liver problems, Roxithromycin should not be used.

Use of Migraine Headache Medicines

Patients using certain medicines for migraine headache such as dihydergot and cafergot are at an increased risk. If the patients are using migraine headache medicines, Roxithromycin should not be used and consult with your doctor.

Interactions with Roxithromycin

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Roxithromycin. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Theophylline

Roxithromycin may interact with theophylline, which is mainly used to treat asthma. This medicine may cause a change in the effectiveness of Roxithromycin. A different dosage of Roxithromycin or use of different medicines may be needed.

Ergotamine or Dihydroergotamine

There may be an interaction of Roxithromycin with ergotamine or dihydroergotamine, which are mainly used for migraine headache. Patients may need different doses of this medicine or may need to take any other medicines.

Disopyramide

Roxithromycin interacts with disopyramide, which is mainly used to treat irregular heart rhythms. Patients may change the dosage of Roxithromycin or take other medicines.

Terfenadine and Astemizole

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with terfenadine and astemizole, which are mainly used to treat allergies. A different dosage of Roxithromycin or use of different medicines may be needed.

Warfarin

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with warfarin, which is mainly used to prevent blood clots. Patients may need different doses of this medicine or may need to take any other medicines.

Digoxin

Roxithromycin may interact with digoxin, which is mainly used to treat heart failure. Patients may change the dosage of Roxithromycin or take other medicines.

Midazolam

There may be an interaction of Roxithromycin with midazolam, which is mainly used to induce sleep before operations. A different dosage of Roxithromycin or use of different medicines may be needed.

Cyclosporin

Roxithromycin interacts with cyclosporin, which is used to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat immune disorders. The patient may need different doses of this medicine or may need to take any other medicines.

Cisapride

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with cisapride, which is mainly used to treat stomach acid backflow. Patients may change the dosage of Roxithromycin or take other medicines.

Pimozide

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with pimozide, which is used to treat mental conditions. A different dosage of Roxithromycin or use of different medicines may be needed.

Antiarrhythmic Agents

Roxithromycin may interact with antiarrhythmic agents, which are used to treat an abnormal heartbeat. Patients may need different doses of this medicine or may need to take any other medicines.

Interactions of Roxithromycin by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can cause harmful effects in the body. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Roxithromycin be not used?

Allergy

This medicine should not be used in patients with an allergic reaction to it or another macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:

Certain Medicines for the Migraine Headache

This medicine should not be used while you are taking certain medicines for migrain headache such as dihydergot and cafergot.

Brands

Following are the top brand names of Roxithromycin in countries around the world:

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Roxithromycin is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Roxithromycin .

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