Azithromycin is an azalide which belongs to subclass of macrolide antibiotic. It is derived from erythromycin. Methyl-substitution at the nitrogen atom incorporated to the lactone ring, thus making the lactone ring 15-membered. It has wide spectrum and is more active against bacterial infections than erythromycin. Its increased use over other antibiotic is due to decreased elimination from the body. This effect causes increased action towards bacteria for longer period of time with single dose of administration. This drug can be used alone or in combination with other antibiotics for increased spectrum of treatment. We offer this product under the brand name
- Used for drug resistant bacteria
- Mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases due Chlamydia trachomatis
- Mycobacterial infections
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Sinusitis
- Pharyngitis, tonsillitis
- chronic bronchitis
Otitis media:; ≥6mos: 30mg/kg as a single dose (max 1.5g); or 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 3 days; or 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once then 5mg/kg (max 250mg) per day for 4 days.
Sinusitis; ≥6mos: 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 3 days.
Community-acquired pneumonia:≥6mos: 10mg/kg (max 500mg) once for 1 day, then 5mg/kg (max 250mg) once daily for 4 days.
Pharyngitis/tonsillitis: ≥2yrs: 12mg/kg (max 500mg) once daily for 5 days.
Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic which is effective against many bacterial infections. It ceases the protein synthesis required for bacterial growth. It produces this action by binding to 50S subunit of micro-organism. It does not interfere with human protein synthesis and does not affect nucleic acid synthesis.
It is effective against wide variety of infections caused by bacterial organism such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium avium.
Absorption
The drug is well distributed into the body with oral administration. The absorption of the drug is not affected by food. The concentration maximum of the drug is 46% with the administration of food.
Distribution
The drug binding to serum protein is variable in concentration i.e about 51% at 0.02mcg/ml to 7% at 2mcg/ml. The action of azithromycin is pH related, the antibacterial activity is reduced with acidic pH. It is widely distributed into the tissue in human.
Excretion
The drug is excreted in unchanged form through biliary excretion. 6% of the drug in unchanged form is excreted in urine.
- Patients with hypersensitivity to other antibiotics such as erythromycin, macrolide or ketolide drug.
- Patients with the history of hepatic dysfunction.
- It should be only used when the infection is severe and caused by susceptible bacteria
- Not used in patients with abnormal renal functions
- Not used in patients with prolonged cardiac repolarization or long QT interval
- Drug resistance can occur if not used in any susceptible organism
- Prolong use can cause infections in pregnant patients
- The drug can transfer into breast milk in nursing mothers.
