Azisign-500 (Azithromycin) 500 mg, 5 tablets: profile, composition and research
Reference page for Azisign-500 (Azithromycin) 500 mg, 5 tablets. Active substance: Азитромицин / Azithromycin.
- What it is: azithromycin, an antibacterial medicine of the macrolide group.
- Presentation: tablets of 500 mg, 5 tablets per pack.
- Status: prescription-only medicine.
- Research: work in respiratory infections and COPD, links below.
- Where to buy: APV Pharmacy (price and availability there).
Key facts
| Active substance | Azithromycin |
|---|---|
| Form | Tablets |
| Strength | 500 mg per tablet |
| Pack size | 5 tablets |
| Category | Prescription medicine |
| Article (SKU) | AZGN-500-5 |
What azithromycin is
Azisign-500 is a tablet form of azithromycin, an antibiotic of the macrolide group. The active substance belongs to the azalides, a subgroup of the macrolides. Each tablet contains 500 mg, and a pack holds 5 tablets.
Azithromycin acts on susceptible bacteria but not on viruses. That is why it does not help in an ordinary cold or flu, and why it is not used for viral illnesses.
The small pack matches a short course that is normally completed in full. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics helps resistant bacteria to spread, which is why this medicine is taken only when a doctor has prescribed it.
How azithromycin works
Its target in the bacterium
Azithromycin binds to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, the part of the cell that assembles proteins. This disrupts protein synthesis.
Halting growth
Unlike agents that destroy a bacterium at once, azithromycin mainly stops it from multiplying. The restoration of protein synthesis in such bacteria is slowed down.
Accumulation in tissues
Azithromycin penetrates tissue and cells well, where its level can clearly exceed the concentration in blood. This is one reason for its long action after a course ends.
A lasting effect
Because it accumulates in tissues, the medicine can keep its antibacterial action after the last tablet, which is why courses are often short.
Approved uses
The prescribing information lists infections caused by susceptible bacteria: diseases of the respiratory tract, including bronchitis and pneumonia, and infections of the ear, nose, throat and sinuses.
Other indications include infections of the skin and soft tissues, and certain infections of the urinary and genital system, including those passed on sexually.
This is a prescription medicine: the decision to use it is taken by a doctor, who also sets the dose and the length of the course. The course should be completed, even if the person starts to feel better.
What the research shows
One of the best-known studies showed that long-term azithromycin reduces how often exacerbations occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Separate randomised work, including the multicentre COLUMBUS study, examined maintenance treatment with azithromycin in frequent COPD exacerbations.
Azithromycin has also been used in programmes of mass treatment for trachoma, where its distribution was studied as a way to lower the disease burden. For community-acquired pneumonia, network meta-analyses compare different starting antibiotics.
Published research
Primary sources, verified against PubMed:
- Azithromycin for prevention of exacerbations of COPD., PubMed 21864166 (The New England journal of medicine, 2011).
- Identifying the Best Initial Oral Antibiotics for Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Network Meta-Analysis., PubMed 38360961 (Journal of general internal medicine, 2024).
- Stopping azithromycin mass drug administration for trachoma: A systematic review., PubMed 34237074 (PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2021).
- Azithromycin maintenance treatment in patients with frequent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COLUMBUS): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial., PubMed 24746000 (The Lancet. Respiratory medicine, 2014).
Listed for reference. Publication of a study is not a claim about this particular product.
Precautions
- This is a prescription medicine. Prescribing, dosing and course length belong to a physician.
- It is not used in case of hypersensitivity to macrolides.
- Tell your doctor about heart rhythm disorders, liver or kidney disease, and myasthenia gravis.
- Azithromycin interacts with some antacids, anticoagulants and medicines that affect heart rhythm.
- In pregnancy and breastfeeding use is possible only if a doctor decides it is necessary.
- With marked or persistent diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a rash or swelling of the face a doctor should be contacted urgently.
- An unfinished course of an antibiotic helps resistant bacteria to spread.
Frequently asked
Is Azisign-500 a prescription medicine?
Yes. It is a prescription antibacterial product.
Why does this page not give a dosing schedule?
The dose and the length of the course are set by a doctor according to the type of infection and the patient's condition. A reference page does not give such instructions.
Will it help with a cold or flu?
No. Azithromycin acts on bacteria and is not active against viruses.
Where does the order ship from?
Shipping and customs handling are described on the APV Pharmacy delivery page.