How to prepare an Azithromycin suspension on your own
This is a generic question that applies towards any medication that comes in powder form, but in most cases, parents do not prepare this medication on their own – they pick it up at the pharmacy.
The most commonly used medication that parents prepare on their own is Amoxicillin, and so we have a chapter on our website dedicated to the preparation of Amoxicillin.
Recently I’ve seen many parents also prepare azithromycin on their own.
Obviously, it is very similar, and almost identical, but I’ve decided to write a separate chapter on azithromycin suspension preparation.
What should I always remember when I prepare Azithromycin suspension on my own?
The following are the two most important things to remember:
1. Start a course of antibiotics only when your physician has instructed you to do so and has given you the exact dosage.
2. If you’re able to, take your powder to the nearest pharmacy and ask a pharmacist to dilute the medication for you, most pharmacists will do this free of charge or for a very small fee.
If I’d like to prepare my own Azithromycin suspension – how can I dilute it and what should I use to do this?
Fortunately, preparing Azithromycin is very safe and easy as long as you follow the instructions.
Even if the product you have is slightly different than the ones mentioned below, as long as you add the right volume of water and follow the instructions, you will end up with a suspension that is similar in concentration.
In most countries, the correct concentration is always 5ml containing 200mg, or in other words there will be 40mg in every 1ml.
What type of water should I use to dilute the suspension?
The instructions say distilled water. But before you drive to the garage or open up your iron remember that you can always use tap water that you have boiled and then allowed to cool.
And even if you have distilled water at home, or saline (infusion fluid), it is still preferable to boil the water and allow to cool before usage. And do not use any other types of water.
How can I measure the exact amount needed?
By using syringes that you have at home, even those that come with other types of medications (Ibuprofen or Tylenol). The problem with using small syringes is that you need to fill them up to 5ml 6 times, in order to reach 30ml total volume. Try to measure accurately or use larger syringes (for example, you can use a baby’s feeding bottle to measure a larger volume).
How much water do I need to use when preparing Azithromycin?
The amount of water depends on the suspension that you have and the size of the bottle.
Always read the instructions. They should specify how much water needs to be added. Mix the water well so that the powder dissolves well.
How much of the ready-made suspension do I need to give my child?
This depends on what the doctor prescribed.
Keep in mind that these antibiotics can only be administered after a physician has prescribed them and need to be given at the specific dose recommended depending on the child’s weight and the infection they have.
What if I’d like to prepare a different medication, such as amoxicillin or something else?
The process is based on the same principles. The only thing that changes is the volume of water you need to add so read the instructions carefully.
Good luck!
For comments and questions, please register