Description
Same active ingredient (azithromycin) as Zithromax®, the US brand. Azicip 500 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India.
About Azicip 500 mg
Azicip 500 mg is a prescription tablet containing 500 mg of azithromycin, made by Cipla Limited, used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis flare-ups, sinusitis, throat infections and skin infections. Its strip of three tablets corresponds to the standard three-day adult course of one tablet a day.
How does it work?
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. By binding to a subunit of the bacterial ribosome, it halts protein production, and bacteria stop multiplying. Its standout feature is persistence: it is stored inside cells and released over days, so three daily doses give about a week or more of antibacterial activity.
What is it used for?
- Community-acquired pneumonia that is mild enough for tablets, and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
- Acute sinusitis and middle ear infections.
- Sore throat and tonsillitis caused by streptococci when penicillin cannot be used.
- Skin and soft tissue infections.
- As part of a sexual health clinic’s plan for chlamydia or urethritis.
How to take Azicip 500 mg
- The usual adult dose is one tablet once a day for three days, a total of 1.5 g.
- Swallow it whole with water, with or without food.
- For some regimens, such as the UK chlamydia schedule, the first day’s dose is 1 g (two tablets), followed by one tablet on each of the next two days.
- Do not take indigestion remedies containing aluminum or magnesium at the same moment as the tablet.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day; don’t take two together.
Why is the course only three days?
People are sometimes surprised that three tablets can treat an infection that other antibiotics take a week or more to clear. The answer lies in how long azithromycin stays in the tissues: its half-life is around 68 hours, so concentrations remain effective long after the last tablet. The total dose, 1.5 g, is the same as in the five-day course.
Heart rhythm warning
Like other macrolides, azithromycin can lengthen the QT interval on an ECG, which rarely triggers a dangerous heart rhythm. The risk is highest in people with known QT prolongation, a slow heart rate, heart failure, low potassium or magnesium, or those taking other drugs that lengthen QT, such as amiodarone, sotalol, some antipsychotics, citalopram or hydroxychloroquine. Older adults with heart disease should discuss this with their doctor. Seek urgent help for palpitations, fainting or a sudden unexplained collapse.
What are the side effects?
Diarrhea is the commonest effect, followed by nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headache and dizziness. A rash, itch or thrush can develop. Rarely, azithromycin causes liver inflammation, hearing changes or severe skin reactions. Contact a doctor at once for yellowing of the skin, dark urine, blistering skin, swelling of the face or throat, or diarrhea that becomes severe or bloody.
Who should not take it?
Avoid it if you are allergic to macrolides or had jaundice from azithromycin in the past, and do not combine it with ergotamine. Mention myasthenia gravis, liver or serious kidney disease, and medicines such as warfarin, digoxin, colchicine and ciclosporin. It may be used in pregnancy when needed; if you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor, as small amounts reach the baby.
Pack sizes and storage
Strips of 3 tablets, sold in packs of 30, 60 or 90, from $57. Keep below 86°F (30°C) in the original packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a lower strength?
Azicip 250 mg suits five-day courses.
Are there other 500 mg brands?
Yes, including Azithromycin 500 mg. A single-dose 1 g tablet, Azee 1000 mg, is used for some sexually transmitted infections.
Where can I see more medicines?
In the More Product category.
This information is general and educational. Azicip 500 mg is a prescription antibiotic and should only be taken for an infection diagnosed by a clinician.