New Macrolide Antibiotics
Authors: Jaime B. Friedman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1992)

Letters15 September 1992New Macrolide AntibioticsJaime B. Friedman, MDJaime B. Friedman, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-117-6-533 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editors: Recently, Biaxin (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Illinois), a brand of clarithromycin, has been heavily promoted for common respiratory infections because it covers Haemophilus influenzae as well as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Abbott's efficacy claim is supported almost entirely by data either on file with the company or published in company-sponsored symposia.Unfortunately, Dr. Neu (1), in his editorial on the new macrolides, never evaluates their efficacy relative to currently available (and much cheaper) treatments forH. influenzae. Instead, he limits his discussion to a brief comparison of azithromycin and clarithromycin with erythromycin, an agent known to...References1. Neu H. New macrolide antibiotics: azithromycin and clarithromycin [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:517-9. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Neu H. The development of macrolides: clarithromycin in perspective. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1991;27(Suppl A):1-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. KarmaPukanderPenttilaYlikoskiSavolainenOlen PJMJSL. The comparative efficacy and safety of clarithromycin and amoxycillin in the treatment of outpatients with acute maxillary sinusitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1991;27(Suppl A):83-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Bachand R. Comparative study of clarithromycin and ampicillin in the treatment of patients with acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1991;27(Suppl A):91-100. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. FriedenMangi TR. Inappropriate use of oral Ciprofloxacin. JAMA. 1990;264:1438-40. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar1. Neu H. New macrolide antibiotics: azithromycin and clarithromycin [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:517-9. LinkGoogle Scholar1. CurrentGarcia WL. Cryptosporidiosis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1991;4:325-58. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Rehg J. Activity of azithromycin against Cryptosporidia in immunosuppressed rats. J Infect Dis. 1991;163:1293-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. CamaMarshallSterling VMC. Evaluation of clarithromycin for the treatment of enteric cryptosporidiosis. Presented at the First International Conference on the Macrolides, Azalides, and Streptogramins. Santa Fe, New Mexico: January 1992. Google Scholar1. Neu H. New macrolide antibiotics:azithromycin and clarithromycin [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:517-9. LinkGoogle Scholar2. GuScullyNeu JBH. Bactericidal activity of clarithromycin and its 14-hydroxy metabolite against Haemophilus influenzae and streptococcal pathogens. J Clin Pharmacol. 1991;31:1146-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. HardySwansonRodeMarshShipkowitzClement DRRKNJ. Enhancement of the in vitro and in vivo activities of clarithromycin against Haemophilus influenzae by 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin, its major metabolite in humans. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1992;34:1407-13. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. ChinYanGuNeu NSJH. Evaluation of clarithromycin and its 14-hydroxy metabolite in treatment of Haemophilus influenzae otitis media in a gerbil model. Abstract 190. 17th International Congress on Chemotherapy. Berlin: 23-28 June 1991. Google Scholar5. DrewGallis RH. Azithromycin, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics and clinical applications. Pharmacotherapy. 1992;12:161-73. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Seattle, WA 98105 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 15 September 1992Volume 117, Issue 6Page: 533-534KeywordsAntibioticsErythromycinHaemophilus influenzaeInformation storage and retrievalMycoplasma pneumoniaeStreptococcusUpper respiratory tract infections Issue Published: 15 September 1992 PDF downloadLoading ...