Azithromycin

Generic Name
Azithromycin
Brand Names
Azasite, Zithromax, Zmax
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C38H72N2O12
CAS Number
83905-01-5
Unique Ingredient Identifier
J2KLZ20U1M
Background

Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic with a long half-life and a high degree of tissue penetration . It was initially approved by the FDA in 1991 .

It is primarily used for the treatment of respiratory, enteric and genitourinary infections and may be used instead of other macrolides for some sexually transmitted and enteric infections. It is structurally related to erythromycin .

Azithromycin [9-deoxo-9a-aza-9a-methyl-9a-homoerythromycin] is a part of the azalide subclass of macrolides, and contains a 15-membered ring, with a methyl-substituted nitrogen instead of a carbonyl group at the 9a position on the aglycone ring, which allows for the prevention of its metabolism. This differentiates azithromycin from other types of macrolides .

In March 2020, a small study was funded by the French government to investigate the treatment of COVID-19 with a combination of azithromycin and the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. The results were positive, all patients taking the combination were virologically cured within 6 days of treatment, however, larger studies are required.

Indication

Azithromycin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria in order to prevent the development antimicrobial resistance and maintain the efficacy of azithromycin .

Azithromycin is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the microorganisms listed in the specific conditions below. Recommended dosages, duration of therapy and considerations for various patient populations may vary among these infections. Refer to the FDA label and "Indications" section of this drug entry for detailed information .

Adults:

Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acute bacterial sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy

Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy.

Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae. Abscesses usually require surgical drainage.

Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid). Due to the small number of women included in clinical trials, the efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of chancroid in women has not been established.

Pediatric Patients

Acute otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis or Streptococcus pneumoniae

Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy.

Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy.

Associated Conditions
Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (ABS), Acute Otitis Media (AOM), Acute bacterial exacerbation of COPD caused by Haemophilus Influenza Infections, Moraxella Catarrhalis Infection, Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infections, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Bacterial Sinusitis, Cervicitis, Chancroid, Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Genital Ulcer Disease (GUD), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Pharyngitis, Streptococcal Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis bacterial, Tonsillitis streptococcal, Traveler's Diarrhea, Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections, Urethritis
Associated Therapies
-

Reduction of EArly mortaLITY in HIV-infected Adults and Children Starting Antiretroviral Therapy

First Posted Date
2013-04-05
Last Posted Date
2016-04-20
Lead Sponsor
Anna Griffiths, MRC
Target Recruit Count
1805
Registration Number
NCT01825031
Locations
🇺🇬

Joint Clinical Research Centre, Mbale, Mbale, Uganda

🇰🇪

Moi University Clinical Research Centre, Eldoret, Kenya

🇰🇪

KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya

and more 5 locations

Duration of Antibiotic Therapy as Part of Maximal Medical Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

First Posted Date
2013-04-05
Last Posted Date
2017-04-04
Lead Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Target Recruit Count
40
Registration Number
NCT01825408
Locations
🇺🇸

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery clinics at UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Empirical vs 2nd Line Antibiotic Therapy in Health-care Associated Infections in Cirrhosis

First Posted Date
2013-03-28
Last Posted Date
2015-05-29
Lead Sponsor
University of Roma La Sapienza
Target Recruit Count
96
Registration Number
NCT01820026
Locations
🇮🇹

Manuela Merli, Rome, Italy

Study to Determine the Effect of Azasite on Corneal Surface Irregularity

Phase 2
Withdrawn
Conditions
Interventions
First Posted Date
2013-02-22
Last Posted Date
2016-09-28
Lead Sponsor
Philadelphia Eye Associates
Registration Number
NCT01797107
Locations
🇺🇸

Philadelphia Eye Associates, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Oral Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Posterior Blepharitis

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Interventions
First Posted Date
2013-02-05
Last Posted Date
2014-02-12
Lead Sponsor
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Target Recruit Count
100
Registration Number
NCT01783860
Locations
🇮🇷

Rassoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Trial of Intravenous Azithromycin to Eradicate Ureaplasma Respiratory Tract Infection in Preterm Infants

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Interventions
First Posted Date
2013-01-29
Last Posted Date
2020-11-30
Lead Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Target Recruit Count
121
Registration Number
NCT01778634
Locations
🇺🇸

Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, Delaware, United States

🇺🇸

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

🇺🇸

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

and more 4 locations

Comparison Study of Cefazolin Versus Cefazolin Plus Azithromycin Prophylaxis in Post-Cesarean Endometritis

Phase 4
Withdrawn
Conditions
Interventions
First Posted Date
2012-11-06
Last Posted Date
2015-05-05
Lead Sponsor
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Registration Number
NCT01721616
Locations
🇺🇸

Truman Medical Center - Hospital Hill, Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Aizthromycin or Clarithromycin in H-pylori Eradication Regimen

First Posted Date
2012-08-17
Last Posted Date
2012-08-17
Lead Sponsor
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
Target Recruit Count
78
Registration Number
NCT01667692
Locations
🇮🇷

Behnam Baghianimoghadam, Yazd, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Time to Eradication of Mycoplasma Genitalium and Chlamydia Trachomatis After Treatment Commenced

First Posted Date
2012-08-10
Last Posted Date
2014-12-15
Lead Sponsor
Ostergotland County Council, Sweden
Target Recruit Count
160
Registration Number
NCT01661985
Locations
🇸🇪

R&D dept of Local Health Care, Östergötland county council, Linköping, Sweden

Antibiotic Treatment Trial for the PANDAS/PANS Phenotype

First Posted Date
2012-06-12
Last Posted Date
2018-04-10
Lead Sponsor
University of South Florida
Target Recruit Count
47
Registration Number
NCT01617083
Locations
🇺🇸

Rothman Center for Neuropsychiatry, Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States

© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by MedPath