Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my azithromycin

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your azithromycin using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for azithromycin, Canadian Prescription Savings for azithromycin, azithromycin Drug Coupons, azithromycin Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is azithromycin available in?

Accepted Answer

azithromycin is available as a 250 mg, 500 mg 600 mg, and 1 g oral tablet and a 100 mg/5 ml and 200 mg/5 ml oral suspension.

Question 3

What is azithromycin used for?

Accepted Answer

azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is used to treat:  Adults Sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from a bacterial infection Sinus infections Pneumonia Strep throat Tonsil infections Skin infections Urethra or cervix infections Genital ulcer disease (chancroid) Children Ear infections (age 6 months and older) Pneumonia (age 6 months and older) Strep throat (age 2 years and older) Tonsil infections (age 2 years and older)

Question 4

How does azithromycin work?

Accepted Answer

azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from making certain proteins inside their cells. As a result, the bacteria aren’t able to grow and spread. And sometimes, the bacteria also aren’t able to survive.

Question 5

How do I take azithromycin?

Accepted Answer

azithromycin is dosed as follows:

Adults

Pneumonia, COPD, strep throat, tonsil infections, and skin infections: The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth on Day 1, then 250 mg daily on Days 2 through 5.
Sinus infections and COPD: The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth once daily for 3 days
Chancroid, and infections of the urethra and cervix: The typical dose is 1 gram to 2 grams (depending on the infection) by mouth as a single dose

Children

Your child’s provider will calculate their dose based on their body weight
Ear infection: The typical dose can range from (1) 30 mg/kg by mouth for a single dose; to (2) 10 mg/kg by mouth once daily for 3 days; to (3) 10 mg/kg by mouth on Day 1, then 5 mg/kg once daily on Days 2 through 5
Sinus infections: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg by mouth once daily for 3 days
Pneumonia: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg by mouth on Day 1, then 5 mg/kg once daily on Days 2 through 5.
Strep throat and tonsillitis: The typical dose is 12 mg/kg by mouth once daily for 5 days

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take azithromycin?

Accepted Answer

azithromycin is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have any of the following:
Severe allergy to macrolide antibiotics Severe liver problems associated with previous use of azithromycin

Question 7

azithromycin Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of azithromycin:  Diarrhea Nausea Stomach pain Vomiting

Question 8

azithromycin Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with azithromycin. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, fever, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, dark or brown urine Abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation): chest pounding, trouble breathing, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded Infectious (C. difficile-related) diarrhea: rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day)

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on azithromycin

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with azithromycin:  Nelfinavir: Close monitoring for known adverse reactions of azithromycin, such as liver enzyme abnormalities and hearing impairment, is warranted Warfarin: Use with azithromycin may increase coagulation times; monitor prothrombin time

Question 10

Who makes azithromycin?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is azithromycin safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

It is not known if azithromycin will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor will have to decide if you should take azithromycin while you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.

Question 12

What is the brand name for azithromycin?

Accepted Answer

ZITHROMAX

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my azithromycin prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your azithromycin prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient azithromycin savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient azithromycin savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for azithromycin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for azithromycin	azithromycin Drug Coupon*	azithromycin Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of azithromycin?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for azithromycin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for azithromycin	azithromycin Drug Coupon*	azithromycin Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the azithromycin savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the azithromycin drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for azithromycin, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the azithromycin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, azithromycin is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed azithromycin for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the azithromycin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the azithromycin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for azithromycin

If you are having trouble paying for your azithromycin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for azithromycin you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
azithromycin is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers azithromycin
If azithromycin is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for azithromycin

If you are having trouble paying for your azithromycin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for azithromycin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers azithromycin
If azithromycin is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for azithromycin

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your azithromycin treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for azithromycin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for azithromycin
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.