Clarigard 500 Tablet is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including chest infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, skin problems such as cellulitis (potentially serious bacterial skin infection, the affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch), and ear infections. Besides this, Clarigard 500 Tablet is also used in combination with other medicines to treat duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori.

Clarigard 500 Tablet contains Clarithromycin (antibiotic). It inhibits the protein synthesis process required for the growth of the bacterial cell. As a result, bacterial cells are not able to reproduce and grow. Thus, Clarigard 500 Tablet helps prevent infections.

Clarigard 500 Tablet should only be if your doctor has prescribed you. Clarigard 500 Tablet should not be stopped even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic medication, and completing the full course is necessary; otherwise, the infection might re-appear in a more severe form. Like all medicines, Clarigard 500 Tablet may cause some common side effects, including feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting), losing your appetite, bloating and indigestion, headaches and difficulty sleeping. These side effects are temporary and may get resolved after some time; however, if this side persists, let your doctor know about this if you notice any sudden wheeziness, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) STOP TAKING your medicine and go to a doctor immediately.

Do not take Clarigard 500 Tablet if allergic to azithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, or any components present in Clarigard 500 Tablet . Clarigard 500 Tablet isn't normally recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. But your doctor may prescribe it if the benefits of taking it are greater than the risks. Do not consume alcohol as it may cause excessive drowsiness when taken along with Clarigard 500 Tablet . Before using the Clarigard 500 Tablet , tell your doctor if you ever had an allergy to Clarigard 500 Tablet have kidney problems, liver problems, swollen food pipe (oesophagitis), lupus disease (an autoimmune disease), or muscle disease (myasthenia gravis). Do not drink alcohol with Clarigard 500 Tablet as it may increase the unpleasant side effects like drowsiness and dizziness.

Clarigard 500 Tablet is a type of macrolide class of antibiotic which is effective against a wide range of bacteria, including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, anaerobes, and some parasites (like Balantidium coli and Entamoeba species). It is prescribed for treating various bacterial infections, including chest infections such as pneumonia, skin problems such as cellulitis, and ear infections; on the other hand, It is also used in combination with other medicines to treat duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori). Clarigard 500 Tablet  is sometimes used by people who have an allergy to penicillin and antibiotics similar to penicillin, such as amoxicillin.

• Headache

• Diarrhoea

• Being sick (vomiting)

• Nausea (feeling sick)

• Loss of appetite

• Taste change

• Bloating

• Indigestion

• Abdominal pain

• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)

Iron and antacid (like magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide) may bind to Clarigard 500 Tablet in the gastrointestinal tract, lowering its efficiency. So, a gap of at least 2 hours should be maintained between intake of Clarigard 500 Tablet and iron supplements and antacids. Besides this, in some cases, the use of Clarigard 500 Tablet causes antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Clarigard 500 Tablet may cause sensitive skin to sunlight and ultraviolet rays, causing an exaggerated sunburn reaction. Hence it is advisable to apply sunscreen before going outside. Its use has also been associated with an increased risk of fungal skin infections like (vaginal candidiasis - thrush). Tetracycline and Clarigard 500 Tablet can form a stable calcium complex in bone-forming tissue, thereby affecting the growth of fibula bones in young children and bone development in the foetus. Using a Clarigard 500 Tablet with isotretinoin should be avoided as it has been reported to cause pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure inside the brain). Long-term use of Clarigard 500 Tablet may affect your blood, kidney, and liver health, so yearly diagnostics test of these parameters is recommended.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Clarigard 500 Tablet is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to certain antibiotics (such as azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanate), a statin medicine to lower your cholesterol (such as simvastatin and atorvastatin), medications used for blood thinners (such as warfarin), drugs used for heart problems (digoxin), certain medicines used for gout (colchicine), asthma medications (such as theophylline, budesonide/formoterol), medicines for epilepsy, (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin), and drugs used to treat migraines (such as ergotamine and dihydroergotamine).

Drug-Food Interactions: Food containing calcium and iron should be avoided as it may affect Clarigard 500 Tablet effectiveness. Also, prevent the intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice with Clarigard 500 Tablet . Avoid alcohol intake as it may lead to drowsiness and affect Clarigard 500 Tablet absorption.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Clarigard 500 Tablet should not be given in people with liver or kidney problems, cardiovascular disorders (fast, pounding or irregular heartbeats), QT prolongation, Colitis (a chronic digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon), abnormally low levels of potassium in your blood and muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).

• AZITHROMYCIN
• AMOXICILLIN+CLAVULANIC ACID
• SIMVASTATIN
• ATORVASTATIN
• WARFARIN
• BUDESONIDE+FORMOTEROL
• CARBAMAZEPINE
• PHENYTOIN
• ERGOTAMINE
• DIHYDROERGOTAMINE

• Probiotics and prebiotics can also help to reduce the side effects of antibiotics.

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

• Eating grapefruit during antibiotics treatment can prevent the body from utilizing Clarigard 500 Tablet properly. So, avoid intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the antibiotic. 

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

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

• Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Clarigard 500 Tablet in order to restore some of the healthy bacteria in the intestines 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, kombucha and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.

Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms, commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. A few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. However, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can be more prone to bacterial infection.