New Macrolide Antibiotics: Azithromycin and Clarithromycin
Authors: Harold C. Neu
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1992)

Editorials15 March 1992New Macrolide Antibiotics: Azithromycin and ClarithromycinHarold C. Neu, MDHarold C. Neu, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-116-6-517 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptEythromycin, the prototype of the macrolide antibiotics, was first used to treat infections in 1952. It has been used to treat streptococcal pharyngitis in penicillin-allergic patients,Mycoplasma pneumoniaerespiratory infections, Legionella infection, and cutaneous infections due to streptococci and staphylococci (1). Erythromycin has also been used to treat pneumococcal infection of the ears, sinuses, and chest. It has also been used as prophylaxis during dental procedures in patients with valvular heart disease to prevent endocarditis and as prophylaxis before colonic surgery to prevent postoperative infection. Except for hepatic toxicity with the estolate form and rare temporary deafness at high doses,...References1. WashingtonWilson JW. Erythromycin, a microbiological and clinical perspective after 30 years of clinical use. Mayo Clin Proc. 1985;60:189-203. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. KirstSides HG. New directions for macrolide antibiotics: pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1989;33:1419-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Neu H. Clinical microbiology of azithromycin. Am J Med. 1991;91(Suppl 3A):12-8. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. Neu H. The development of macrolides: clarithromycin in perspective. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1991;27(Suppl A): 1-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. BrownWallaceOnyiDeRosasWallace BRGVR. Activities of four macrolides including clarithromycin against Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. chelonei and M. chelonei-like organisms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1992;36:180-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. AraujoGuptillRemington FDS. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with potent activity against Toxoplasma gondii. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1988;32:755-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. SchentagBallow JC. Tissue-directed pharmacokinetics. Am J Med. 1991;91(Suppl 3A):5-11. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. GadueBrightIssacsonNewborg RGRM. In vitro and in vivo uptake of azithromycin (P-62-993) by phagocytic cells: possible mechanism of delivery and release at site of infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1989;33:277-82. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. DautzenbergSt. MarcAverousRoutkovky-NorvalBreuxKristetter BTVCJM. Clarithromycin-containing regimens in the treatment of 54 AIDS patients with disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare. Abs 293, 31st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Chicago: 29 September to 1 October 1991; 148. Google Scholar10. YoungWiviottWuKolonoskiBolan LLMPR. Azithromycin reduces M. avium complex bacteremia and relieves symptoms in patients with AIDS. Lancet. 1991;338:1107-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. ChaveMunafoBiollazChattonDayerGlauser JAJYPM. Weekly azithromycin (AZM) in HIV + patients: tolerability, kinetics and effects on zidovudine (ZDV) metabolism. Abs 761. 31st Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Chicago: 29 September to 1 October 1991:226. Google Scholar12. Hooton T. A comparison of azithromycin and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. Am J Med. 1991;91(Suppl 3A):23-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. Bachand R. A comparative study of clarithromycin and penicillin VK in the treatment of out-patients with streptococcal pharyngitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1991;27(Suppl A):75-82. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Ball A. Overview of global studies on clarithromycin in the treatment of respiratory infections. Abs 315. 17th Internat Cong Chemotherapy. Berlin: 23 to 28 June 1991. Google Scholar15. Dark D. Multicenter evaluation of azithromycin and cefaclor in acute lower respiratory infections. Am J Med. 1991;91(Suppl 3A):31-5. CrossrefGoogle Scholar16. MartinMroczkowskiDaluMcCartyJonesHopkins DTZJRS. A multicenter randomized trial of single-dose azithromycin (A) vs. multidose doxycycline (D) for Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infections. Abst 78. 31st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Chicago: 29 September to 1 October 1991:111. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Columbia University New York, NY 10032 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThe Cardiovascular Effects of Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and AzithromycinANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY IN THE ELDERLYCommonly Used Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents for Hospitalised Paediatric PatientsNEWER MACROLIDESAntibiotic use in the emergency department. II. The aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfa drugs, and urinary antisepticsTenosynovitis due to mycobacteria other than tuberculosis: a hazard of water sports and hobbiesAzithromycin and clarithromycinThe role of new antibiotics for the treatment of infections in the emergency departmentAzithromycin and typhoidPediatric antimicrobial therapyInfection caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria: Clinical aspectsMedicine in Tropical AustraliaAzithromycin and ClarithromycinCommunity-acquired pneumoniaNew Macrolide AntibioticsJaime B. Friedman, MDThe Crisis in Antibiotic ResistanceLong-term oral antibiotic treatment: why, what, when and to whom? 15 March 1992Volume 116, Issue 6Page: 517-519KeywordsAntibioticsEndocarditisProphylaxisStaphylococcal infectionStreptococcal infectionsStreptococcal pharyngitisSurgeonsThoraxToxicityUpper respiratory tract infections Issue Published: 15 March 1992 PDF DownloadLoading ...