Azithromycin and lower respiratory tract infections

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2005 Oct;6(13):2335-51. doi: 10.1517/14656566.6.13.2335.

Abstract

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that has been structurally modified from erythromycin with an expanded spectrum of activity and improved tissue pharmacokinetic characteristics relative to erythromycin. This allows once-daily administration for 3-5 days of treatment compared with traditional multi dosing 7-10-day treatment regimens. It has been successfully employed in lower respiratory tract infections. Recent data indicate that azithromycin may exert anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects that may be of use in the treatment of both acute and chronic airway diseases. This review examines the role of azithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections analysing published data on exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia and cystic fibrosis both in adults and children. In addition, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug are also considered.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Azithromycin / pharmacokinetics
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Bronchitis, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Bronchitis, Chronic / microbiology
  • Child
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Haemophilus influenzae / drug effects
  • Haemophilus influenzae / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Azithromycin