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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Back To Search Results Editor: Contributor Profile University of Medicine & Health Sciences Niles, ILDisclosureOmar Iqbal, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.">Omar A. Iqbal Updated: 11/9/2024 11:25:01 PM Indications Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum macrolide antimicrobial and one of the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial drugs in the United States. Azithromycin is an erythromycin derivative with greatly enhanced activity against gram-negative bacteria (including Enterobacteriaceae) that also provides coverage against many gram-positive organisms.[1][2] As an inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis, azithromycin is effective against many "atypical" bacteria such as chlamydiae (eg, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila psittaci), legionella (eg, Legionella pneumophila), mycoplasma (eg, Mycoplasma pneumoniae), and mycobacteria (eg, Mycobacterium avium).[3]FDA-Approved IndicationsCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis [4] Other upper respiratory infectious processes, including acute otitis media and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [5]Pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (as an alternative to a β-lactam agent)Skin infection due to S pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, or Staphylococcus aureus M avium complex (MAC) infection treatment and prophylaxis for patients with advanced AIDSSexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonococcal disease, chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi), and Mycoplasma genitalium [6][7][8][9][10]Urethritis and cervicitis caused by C trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, the CDC guidelines recommended azithromycin only in combination with gentamicin for uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the cervix or urethra, particularly for patients with a cephalosporin allergy.[11]Off-Label UsesSalmonella typhi infection (enteric fever) [12]Long-term prophylaxis for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in patients who have undergone lung transplantation [13]One study examined whether adding azithromycin to standard therapy could induce remission in patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma compared to placebo. Data from 335 participants over 12 months included increased rates of clinical remission and remission with lung function criteria, with some achieving complete remission. Factors such as better asthma-related quality of life predicted clinical remission. These findings suggest that azithromycin may help achieve asthma remission, highlighting its therapeutic potential. However, antimicrobial resistance should be considered.[14]A systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that azithromycin may reduce hospitalization duration in children with acute bronchiolitis who are younger than 2 years, but it does not prevent the recurrence of wheezing. Further
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