Azee (Azithromycin 500mg) Tablets

Azee general information

What is Azee used for?

Azee tablets 500mg are used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body.  These include lower respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus or Haemophilus, such as pneumonia and bronchitis; also upper respiratory tract infections like tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and otitis medis (ear infection); skin and soft tissue infections like folliculitis and cellulitis, abscess and ulcers caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus; sexually transmitted disease caused by Chlamydia and Neisseria, including urethritis and cervicitis; pelvic inflammatory disease (infection and inflammation of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries).  Azee tablets 500mg are also used to prevent opportunistic infection (bacteria that lie dormant until activated by low immunity) with Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare complex (MAC) in people with HIV. 

How does Azee work?

Azee tablets 500mg contain azithromycin, an antibiotic belonging to the azalides group, which is a sub-class of the macrolides.  Azithromycin in Azee tablets 500mg prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its growth.  This action stops the growth and spread of the bacteria and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.  Azee tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate. 

What does Azee contain?

Azee tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient azithromycin dihydrate, an antibiotic used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body.

Treating bacterial infection with Azee

Azee tablets 500mg contain azithromycin, an antibiotic belonging to the azalides group, used to treat a variety of mild to moderate infections caused by certain susceptible types of bacteria in different areas of the body.  These infections include lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis; also upper respiratory tract infections like tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and otitis medis (ear infection); skin and soft tissue infections like folliculitis and cellulitis; abscess and ulcers; sexually transmitted diseases, including urethritis and cervicitis; pelvic inflammatory disease (infection and inflammation of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries).  Azee tablets 500mg are also used to prevent opportunistic infection (bacteria that lie dormant until activated by low immunity) with Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare complex (MAC) in people with HIV.  Azithromycin in Azee tablets 500mg prevents the spread of bacterial infection by blocking bacterial protein synthesis so that the bacteria cannot produce proteins that are needed for its growth.  This action stops the growth and spread of the bacteria and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.  Azee tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate. 

What are the side effects of Azee?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Azee tablets 500mg include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and flatulence.  Other mild to moderate side effects include headache, dizziness and oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth). 

When should Azee not be used?

You should not use Azee tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to azithromycin or any other macrolide antibiotic or any or any ingredients in Azee
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have QT prolongation, have irregular heart beat or other heart problems
• are taking medicines that interact with Azeeincluding the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, digoxin for heart failure, antacids for indigestion, anticoagulants such as coumarin, ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines, indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir and zidovudine for HIV

What medications interact with Azee?

Several medications interact with Azee tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Azee or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that decrease the effectiveness of Azee: antacids for indigestion (should be taken1 or 2 hours after Arrow-Azithromycin; ergot derivatives such as ergotamine for migraines
• Drugs that are affected by Azee: the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, digoxin for heart failure, anticoagulants such as coumarin, indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir and zidovudine for HIV

How should Azee be taken?

You should take your Azee tablets 500mg swallowed whole, with a glass of water with food usually once a day, for 3 days or longer up to several weeks, depending on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations.  You should continue to take your Azee tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return and you run the risk of the bacteria causing your infection developing resistance to Azee tablets 500mg.

How long should you take Azee?

You should continue to take your Azee tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return and you run the risk of the bacteria causing your infection developing resistance to Azee tablets 500mg. 

Missed dose of Azee

If you miss a dose of Azee tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Azee be stored?

You should store your Azee tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.