TABLE 5.

Oral dosing of select macrolides and azalides

	Erythromycin base	Clarithromycin	Azithromycin
Dose (adult)	250 to 500 mg by mouth four times daily for 10 days	250 to 500 mg by mouth bid for 10 days	500 mg by mouth on first day followed by 250 mg by mouth daily on the following four days
Cost per course (adult)*	$1.81 to $3.62	$29.58 to $59.16	$29.60
Dosing in renal and/or hepatic failure	No adjustment in renal impairment; use with caution if there is hepatic impairment	Reduce dose and/or frequency in renal impairment (creatinine clearance <0.5 mL/s)	No dose adjustment if there is mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment; use with caution if creatinine clearance <0.5 mL/s; avoid if there is severe hepatic disease
Administration	1 h before or 2 h after food or antacids; stability in presence of acid varies with formulation administered	With or without food	Capsules and suspension: 1 h before or 2 h after food or antacids Tablets (with or without food):
Paediatric dosing	7.5 to 12.5 mg/kg/dose by mouth administered four times daily	3.75 to 7.5 mg/kg/dose by mouth administered twice daily (maximum 1000 mg/day)	10 mg/kg/day by mouth on the first day followed by 5 mg/kg/day by mouth administered as a single dose on following four days (12 mg/kg/day for five days for pharyngitis/tonsillitis)

^*Drug acquisition costs for solid oral dosage forms, from reference 97