About Azithral 500 Tablet
Azithral 500 Tablet contains Azithromycin 500 mg. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat many bacterial infections, such as infections of the chest, throat, ears, sinuses and skin, and some sexually transmitted infections. It works only against bacteria, not viruses like colds or flu. It is usually taken once a day, often for a short course.
Uses of Azithral 500 Tablet
- Chest infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Throat, tonsil, ear and sinus infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Some sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia
Benefits
In bacterial infections
It stops bacteria from growing, helping your body clear the infection. Complete the full course even if you feel better, so the infection does not come back and bacteria do not become resistant.
Side effects
Stomach side effects are common and usually mild. Talk to your doctor if they bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Headache
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe or bloody diarrhoea, even weeks after finishing — contact your doctor
- Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, or fainting — seek medical help straight away
- Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine or severe tiredness (possible liver problems) — stop and contact your doctor
- Severe skin reaction with blisters or peeling, or an allergic reaction with swelling of the face or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
- New or worsening muscle weakness — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with water; tablets can be taken with or without food. Complete the full course.
How it works
It stops bacteria from making the proteins they need to grow and multiply. This allows the body's defences to clear the infection.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No serious interaction is known, but alcohol can make stomach upset worse and slow your recovery. It is best avoided.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can occasionally cause dizziness. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in severe kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease. It is not recommended in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Finish the full course, even if you feel better.
- Do not use it for colds or flu — antibiotics do not work on viruses.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems or take medicines for the heart.
- Do not take antacids at the same time as your dose; ask your pharmacist how to space them.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Macrolide (azalide)
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-infective
- Action class
- Macrolide antibiotic
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone, some antipsychotics and some antibiotics | Higher risk of an irregular heartbeat |
| Blood thinners such as warfarin | May increase the risk of bleeding |
| Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium | Can reduce how much azithromycin is absorbed if taken at the same time |
| Digoxin and ciclosporin | Their blood levels may rise |
| Ergot medicines (used for migraine) | Risk of serious side effects; avoid together |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Azithromycin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); US FDA azithromycin labelling; NICE BNF: azithromycin). Pharmacist review pending.