Roxithromycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the throat, lungs, and skin.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Roxithromycin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 15 minutes before or 3 hours after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as a conventional tablet, capsule, or dispersible tablet for oral suspension.
If you are taking the conventional tablet or capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the dispersible tablet for oral suspension, place the required number of tablet(s) in a small drinking glass. Add a spoonful of water into the glass and wait for at least 30-40 seconds for the tablet(s) to break down into fine granules. Stir to disperse the granules evenly in water. Drink the suspension immediately. You may take a glass of water after taking your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Roxithromycin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Roxithromycin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to similar medicines such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin.
Alert your doctor if you have severe liver disease as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Roxithromycin with medicines used to treat migraine, such as ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart rhythm problems e.g. slow heartbeat, irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- heart diseases
- low magnesium or potassium levels in the blood
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- mild to moderate liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Roxithromycin to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Roxithromycin may cause dizziness and some problems with your eyesight such as blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach wind, stomach pain, taste or smell disturbance, loss of appetite, and ringing in the ears.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
- feeling faint, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
- severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by severe stomach pain or fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness
- severe muscle weakness
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Roxithromycin with medicines used to treat migraine, such as ergotamine and dihydroergotamine.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. disopyramide, amiodarone, quinidine, digoxin
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, phenprocoumon
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
- midazolam (medicine for sleep disorder)
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorders)
- cisapride (medicine for digestive problems)
- rifabutin (medicine to treat TB, infection known as tuberculosis)
- bromocriptine (medicine for Parkinson's disease)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Roxithromycin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.