Azigard-500 Tablet is an antibiotic. It is used to treat various bacterial infections such as respiratory system (like pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and sinusitis), skin infections (like acne and rosacea), ear infections, and sexually transmitted infections. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly.

Azigard-500 Tablet slows the growth or sometimes kills the harmful bacteria by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival. Azigard-500 Tablet does not treat a viral infection like flu or a common cold.

Azigard-500 Tablet should only be taken if advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food but should be consumed at a fixed time for the best results. Azigard-500 Tablet should not be consumed more than the recommended dose, to avoid unpleasant side effects. Also, the course should be completed even if you feel better, as it is an antibiotic. Some common side effects of Azigard-500 Tablet are diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. An allergic reaction such as rashes, itching, swelling, and shortness of breath can occur in rare cases. Please consult your doctor if an allergic reaction becomes severe.

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, muscle problems (myasthenia gravis), heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), or electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium level). You should consult a doctor if you have had diarrhoea for more than four days. However, do not take any anti-diarrheal medicine until your doctor tells you. It is unknown whether Azigard-500 Tablet harms the baby or passes into breast milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Contacting a doctor before using Azigard-500 Tablet during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is better. Avoid too much exposure to sunlight as Azigard-500 Tablet can make your skin sensitive to sunburn. In this case, it is advisable to wear protective clothing or apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Azigard-500 Tablet slows the growth or sometimes kills the harmful bacteria by preventing the production of proteins required by the bacteria for its survival. It prevents and treats bacterial infections like throat and sinus infections, chest infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia), ear infections, mouth and dental infections, eye infections, skin and tissue infections (like acne), and stomach and intestinal infections. It is better tolerated and has more effective tissue penetration than other similar antibiotics like erythromycin. Doctors prescribe Azigard-500 Tablet for people who are intolerant to penicillin antibiotics. Besides this, it also helps prevent infection following burns, surgery or dental procedures, sexually transmitted infections, bone infections or scarlet fever (bacterial illness with strep throat).

• Diarrhoea

• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)

• Stomach cramps

• Loss of appetite

• Bloating

• Indigestion

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems (jaundice), muscle problems (myasthenia gravis), heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), or electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium level). In rare cases, the use of Azigard-500 Tablet can cause diarrhoea, so if you have watery or bloody diarrhoea, stop taking Azigard-500 Tablet and call your doctor. However, do not take any anti-diarrheal medicine until your doctor tells you. It is unknown whether Azigard-500 Tablet harms the baby during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding before using Azigard-500 Tablet. Do not take Azigard-500 Tablet if allergic to azithromycin or other macrolide antibiotics. Inform the doctor if you are using cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins like simvastatin, lovastatin etc.), anti-gout or anti-arthritis drugs (colchicine) and medicine for treating overactive bladder (tolterodine). Azigard-500 Tablet is not recommended for the patients with pneumonia who are judged to be inappropriate for oral therapy due to moderate to severe illness or risk factors.

• It would be best to take probiotics after taking the full course of Azigard-500 Tablet to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.

• Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria which helps stimulate their growth. Thus fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after taking a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, and brown rice, should be included in your diet.

• Avoid taking too much calcium enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Azigard-500 Tablet.

• Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Azigard-500 Tablet as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Azigard-500 Tablet in fighting off infections.