Roxithromycin
Dosages
Roxithromycin 150 mg
| Quantity | Price per tablet | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | A$1.28 | A$76.81 | |
| 90 | A$1.17 | A$105.45 | |
| 120 | A$1.11 | A$132.78 | |
| 180 | A$1.06 | A$190.06 | |
| 270 | A$1.02 | A$274.68 | |
| 360 | A$1.01 | A$361.90 |
Payment & Delivery
Your order is carefully packed and ships within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.
Sized like a regular personal letter (approximately 24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of what is inside.
| Delivery Method | Estimated delivery |
|---|---|
| Express Free for orders over A$390.54 | Estimated delivery to Australia: 4-7 days |
| Standard Free for orders over A$260.36 | Estimated delivery to Australia: 14-21 days |
Discount Coupons
- Australia Day - 26 January 2026 10% AUSDAY10
- ANZAC Day - 25 April 2026 8% ANZAC8
- Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 12% BOXING12
Brand Names
| Country | Brand Names |
|---|---|
 Argentina | Anuar Delos Klomicina Rulid Sinurit |
 Australia | Biaxin Biaxsig Roxar Roximycin Rulide |
 Belgium | Claramid Docroxithro Rulid |
 Brazil | Floxid Rotram Roxid Roxina Roxitran Roxitricina Roxitrom Roxitromin Rulid |
 Czechia | Rovenal Rulid |
 Denmark | Forilin Forimycin Roximstad Surlid |
 Finland | Roxibion Surlid |
 France | Claramid Rulid Subroxine |
 Germany | Infectoroxit Romyk Roxi Roxi-paed Roxi-Puren Roxi-Q Roxi-saar Roxibeta Roxidura Roxigamma Roxigrun RoxiHefa RoxiHexal Roxiklinge Roxithro-Lich Rulid |
 Greece | Acevor Anti-Bio Aristomycin Asmetic Azuril Bazuctril Bicofen Delitroxin Erybros Hobatmycine Macrolid-S Neo-Suxigal Nirox Oxetine Redotrin Roxibron Roxicillin Roximin Roxitazon Roxivinol Roxy-Due Roxyspes Rulid Seide Siguon Thriostaxil Tirabicin Toscamycin-R Uramilon Vaselpin Vomitoran |
 Hungary | Renicin Rulid |
 Italy | Assoral Overal Rossitrol Rulid |
 Malaysia | Roxcin Roxinox Rulid Uonin |
 Mexico | Crolix Kensodic Roxitrol Rulid Sertrom Surlid |
 Netherlands | Rulide |
 New Zealand | Romicin Rulide |
 Poland | Renicin Rolicyn Roxiratio Roxitron Rulid Xitrocin |
 Portugal | Inferoxin Odonticina Roxitron Rulide |
 Spain | Macrosil Rotesan Rotramin Rulide |
 Sweden | Cirumycin Surlid |
 Turkey | Remora Ritosin Roksimin Roksolit Rulid |
Description
Roxithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used in some countries, including Australia, to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms. It is most commonly used for respiratory tract infections and some skin and soft tissue infections. It is an oral, prescription-only medicine, typically prescribed in Australian clinical practice when a doctor decides it is appropriate.
Australian note: Roxithromycin is available in Australia, but it should only be used under the guidance of a registered healthcare professional.
What it is used for
Roxithromycin may be prescribed for bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms, including some upper and lower respiratory tract infections and some skin and soft tissue infections. It does not work for viral illnesses such as colds or flu.
How to take
Where it is approved, roxithromycin is usually taken by mouth once or twice daily, often at least 15 minutes before meals, as food can reduce absorption. Follow your prescriber's instructions and complete the full course unless you are told otherwise.
Roxithromycin vs other antibiotics
| Comparison | Roxithromycin | Amoxicillin | Azithromycin | Erythromycin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Macrolide | Penicillin (beta-lactam) | Macrolide (azalide) | Macrolide |
| Typical role | An alternative option in some countries for susceptible respiratory or skin infections | A common first-line option for many ENT and respiratory infections, when appropriate | Often used for some respiratory infections and certain atypical pathogens, when appropriate | An older macrolide; still used, but often limited by GI side effects and interactions |
| Penicillin allergy | May be an alternative for some people with penicillin allergy, depending on clinical judgement | Not suitable in true immediate-type penicillin allergy | May be an alternative for some people with penicillin allergy, depending on clinical judgement | May be an alternative for some people with penicillin allergy, depending on clinical judgement |
| Food effect | Absorption can be reduced by food; it is often taken before meals | Usually can be taken with or without food, depending on the product | Depends on the formulation; many can be taken with or without food | Depends on the salt or formulation; some are affected by food |
| Common side effects | GI upset (nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea), headache, rash | GI upset, rash; diarrhoea can occur | GI upset; diarrhoea; often less nausea than erythromycin | GI upset is common; nausea and abdominal cramps are frequent |
| QT/arrhythmia risk | Macrolide class warning: QT prolongation can occur in rare cases | Not a typical QT-prolonging antibiotic | Macrolide class warning: QT prolongation can occur in rare cases | Macrolide class warning: QT prolongation can occur in rare cases |
| Drug interaction potential | Can interact with some medicines (see below); use caution with anticoagulants | Fewer CYP-related interactions than macrolides | Generally fewer CYP3A interactions than erythromycin/clarithromycin | Higher interaction burden (CYP-related) than many alternatives |
When doctors usually choose which
| Scenario (simplified) | Often considered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bacterial ENT or respiratory infection where a beta-lactam is appropriate | Amoxicillin | A common first-line choice in many guidelines and markets; this depends on the diagnosis and local resistance patterns. |
| Suspected "atypical" respiratory pathogens, or when a macrolide-type option is needed | Azithromycin | Often preferred within the macrolide class because of convenient dosing and generally fewer CYP3A interactions than erythromycin. |
| Need for a macrolide alternative where available locally | Roxithromycin | Used in some countries; take local product information into account |
| Macrolide needed but newer alternatives are not suitable or available | Erythromycin | Effective in some settings, but GI side effects and interaction burden can limit its use. |
| When to be extra cautious with macrolides | Roxithromycin / Azithromycin / Erythromycin | Use caution with known QT prolongation, electrolyte abnormalities, or other QT-prolonging medicines. |
How it works
Roxithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and blocks bacterial protein synthesis.
Side effects
Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and skin rash.
Stop taking the medicine and seek urgent medical care if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or tongue, trouble breathing, severe skin reactions such as a blistering or peeling rash, severe or persistent diarrhoea, or symptoms of liver injury such as dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe fatigue.
Warnings and precautions
- Heart rhythm: rare cases of QT prolongation and serious arrhythmias have been reported with macrolides. Take extra care if you have known QT prolongation, low potassium or magnesium, a slow heart rate, or if you take other QT-prolonging medicines.
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: severe diarrhoea, including C. difficile colitis, can occur during or after antibiotic treatment.
- Liver: liver injury has been reported rarely. Use caution in severe hepatic impairment and follow your clinician's advice.
- Kidney: rare cases of interstitial nephritis have been reported.
Drug-drug interactions
Tell your Australian clinician or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take. Important interactions may include:
- Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists: increased INR and bleeding have been reported; INR monitoring is recommended during combined use.
- Statins and fibrates: rare cases of muscle toxicity have been reported with interacting combinations; report muscle pain or weakness promptly.
- Theophylline: exposure may increase slightly; monitoring may be needed in some people.
- QT-prolonging medicines: taking them together can increase the risk of arrhythmia.
Special populations
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: use only if prescribed by an Australian doctor. Small amounts may pass into breast milk; discuss the risks and benefits with a clinician.
- Hepatic impairment: dose reduction may be recommended in severe hepatic impairment, under clinician guidance.
- Renal impairment: for short courses, dose adjustment is often not required; severe impairment should be managed by a clinician.
- Children: paediatric dosing is weight-based and should follow local product information and clinician guidance.
Pharmacokinetics
Roxithromycin has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 50%. Peak concentrations usually occur about 1-2 hours after a dose. Food can reduce absorption. It is highly protein-bound and distributed into tissues; small amounts may be found in breast milk. Elimination occurs by multiple routes, including faecal and urinary excretion, with a reported half-life of around 12 hours in healthy adults. The half-life may be prolonged in hepatic or renal impairment.
Off-label / investigational mentions
Some studies have looked at macrolides, including roxithromycin, for conditions such as gingival overgrowth or cardiovascular prevention. These are not standard labelled indications.
Storage
Store below 25°C (77°F) in a cool, dry place. Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
