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Azithromycin inhibition of intracellular Legionella micdadei.

Legionella micdadei is an intracellular parasite that is ingested, but not killed, by leukocytes. Within monocytes, the organism has been shown to grow 1.0 to 2.0 log10 units over 48 h (D. L. Weinbaum, R. R. Benner, J. N. Dowling, A. Alpern, A. W. Pasculle, and G. R. Donowitz, Infect. Immun. 46:68-73, 1984). Intracellular L. micdadei would appear to be a useful model in which to study the effect of antibiotics which accumulate intracellularly. Azithromycin, a newly introduced azalide, is highly concentrated within leukocytes and was therefore studied to determine its effect on a single strain of L. micdadei that had been ingested by human monocytes. Peripheral blood monocytes were allowed to ingest L. micdadei and extracellular, nonadherent organisms were subsequently removed by washing. Cells and cell-associated bacteria were then incubated at 0, 24, and 48 h in media with serial concentrations of azithromycin at sub-MIC levels (less than 1.0 microgram/ml). L. micdadei in cells not exposed to azithromycin grew 0.8 +/- 0.1 log10 units (mean +/- standard deviation) at 24 h and 1.7 +/- 0.4 log10 units at 48 h. At both 24 and 48 h, the lowest concentrations of azithromycin tested (0.02 microgram/ml) significantly inhibited bacterial growth in monocytes (P = 0.02). A stepwise inhibition of L. micdadei CFUs was noted with increasing azithromycin concentrations. In contrast, when cells were exposed to antibiotic before ingesting L. micdadei, a less effective antibacterial effect was noted. Under certain in vitro conditions, azithromycin is a potent agent against intracellular L. micdadei.

Azithromycin↗

Outer membrane permeability barrier to azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin in gram-negative enteric bacteria.

Mutations which severely affect the function of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium (lpxA and firA mutations of lipid A synthesis and rfaE mutation of the lipopolysaccharide inner-core synthesis) were found to decrease the MICs of erythromycin, roxithromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin by factors of 32 to 512, 32 to 1,024, 64 to 512, and 16 to 64, respectively. The sensitization factors for three other hydrophobic antibiotics (rifampin, fusidic acid, and mupirocin) ranged from 16 to 300. The outer membrane permeability-increasing agents polymyxin B nonapeptide (3 micrograms/ml) and deacylpolymyxin B (1 microgram/ml) sensitized wild-type E. coli to azithromycin by factors of 10 and 30, respectively. Quantitatively very similar sensitization to the other macrolides took place. Polymyxin-resistant pmrA mutants of S. typhimurium displayed no cross-resistance to azithromycin. Proteus mirabilis mutants which were sensitized to polymyxin by a factor of > or = 300 to > or = 1,000 had a maximal two- to fourfold increase in sensitivity to azithromycin. These results indicate that azithromycin and the other new macrolides use the hydrophobic pathway across the outer membrane and that the intact outer membrane is an effective barrier against them. Furthermore, the results indicate that azithromycin, in contrast to polymyxin, does not effectively diffuse through the outer membrane by interacting electrostatically with the lipopolysaccharide.

Azithromycin↗

In vivo administration of azithromycin affects lymphocyte activity in vitro.

A therapeutic dose of azithromycin was administered to test subjects and then the following lymphocyte functions were examined in vitro: proliferative lymphocyte response to stimulation with pokeweed mitogen, levels of immunoglobulins G, A, and M in serum, and the amount of the soluble interleukin 2 receptors in supernatants of mononuclear cell cultures stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. The study was performed as a controlled clinical trial comparing an azithromycin-treated group (n = 21) and a placebo-treated control group (n = 10). Healthy female volunteers were placed into one of the two groups, and the study was performed as a double-blind trial. Although the findings of the present study showed that azithromycin significantly increased the proliferative lymphocyte response to pokeweed mitogen, the results could have been due to experimental variation. However, impairment of the lymphocyte function was not observed, which could represent valuable information. Likewise, no effect of azithromycin on levels of the immunoglobulins in serum was observed. The most marked effect of azithromycin on the lymphocyte function was demonstrated by an elevation in the amount of soluble interleukin 2 receptor production in mononuclear cell cultures. The lack of impairment or, perhaps, even a beneficial influence on the immunodefense system may be an important property of azithromycin, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Adult↗

Comparison of mutants of Toxoplasma gondii selected for resistance to azithromycin, spiramycin, or clindamycin.

Azithromycin and spiramycin markedly inhibited the growth of Toxoplasma gondii in cultured human fibroblasts. However, 3 days of treatment were required to reveal their full antitoxoplasma activity. This delayed onset of inhibition was similar to that previously reported for clindamycin. Mutants of T. gondii resistant to azithromycin (AziR-1) and spiramycin (SprR-1) were isolated and compared with a previously described mutant resistant to clindamycin (ClnR-2). Mutant ClnR-2 was cross-resistant to all three antibiotics, while AziR-1 was cross-resistant only to spiramycin and SprR-1 was cross-resistant only to azithromycin. In short-term studies of protein synthesis by freshly prepared extracellular parasites, clindamycin and azithromycin were effective only at concentrations much greater than their 50% inhibitory concentrations in infected cultures and the resistant mutants did not differ from the wild type in antibiotic sensitivity. Thus, protein synthesis on cytoplasmic ribosomes of the parasite did not seem to be the target of these antibiotics. To determine whether mitochondrial protein synthesis in T. gondii was inhibited by clindamycin or azithromycin, wild-type parasites were grown in cultured cells in the presence of antibiotic concentrations well above the 50% inhibitory concentrations. Mitochondrial function, measured by oxygen uptake per purified extracellular parasite, did not decrease substantially, after the parasites had multiplied 11-fold in the presence of antibiotic. Thus, mitochondrial protein synthesis did not seem to be the target of clindamycin or azithromycin. An alternative target is protein synthesis in the putative apicomplexan organelle that has a 35-kb genome.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in pediatric patients with acute otitis media.

The objective of our study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin after the oral administration of multiple doses in suspension to children with acute otitis media. Thirteen children (ranging in age from 7.5 months to 5 years) received a single oral dose of 10 mg of azithromycin per kg of body weight on day 1 followed by single daily doses of 5 mg/kg on days 2 to 5. Each child fasted overnight before receiving the final dose on day 5. Multiple blood samples were collected after the last dose. Concentrations of azithromycin in serum were measured by a specific high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The means and standard deviations for the maximum concentration of azithromycin in serum, the time to maximum concentration of azithromycin in serum, the area under the concentration-time curve (from 0 to 24 h), and the elimination half-life were 224 +/- 120 ng/ml, 1.8 +/- 0.4 h, 1,841 +/- 651 ng.h/ml, and 31.6 +/- 6.6 h, respectively. Concentrations in serum (means +/- standard deviations) at 0 h (predose) and at 24, 48, and 72 h after the final dose were 51 +/- 26, 47 +/- 21, 27 +/- 17, and 17 +/- 13 ng/ml, respectively. Thus, the once-daily administration of azithromycin resulted in sustained systemic exposure to the drug. The drug dosage regimen used in this study should lead to tissue drug concentrations exceeding the MICs for common pathogens.

Acute Disease↗

Comparative efficacy and safety of 3-day azithromycin and 10-day penicillin V treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in children.

The efficacy and safety of a 3-day course of azithromycin oral suspension (10 mg/kg of body weight once daily) were compared with those of penicillin V (50,000 U/kg/day in two divided doses) in children aged 3 to 12 years for the treatment of symptomatic pharyngitis caused by the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS). For the 154 evaluable patients, the original infecting strain of GABHS was eliminated at the end of follow-up (34 to 36 days after treatment started) from 67 (85.8%) of 78 penicillin-treated patients and 41 (53.9%) of 76 azithromycin-treated patients (P < 0.0001). Overall clinical success was achieved in 71 (91.0%) of 78 penicillin V-treated patients and 57 (75.0%) of 76 azithromycin-treated patients (P < 0.05). Potential drug-related adverse events were reported for 5.5 and 8.6% of the penicillin V- and azithromycin-treated patients, respectively (P = 0.6). In the present study, a once-daily (10 mg/kg), 3-day oral regimen of azithromycin was as safe as a 10-day course of penicillin but did not represent an effective alternative to penicillin for the treatment of GABHS pharyngitis, even for those children with azithromycin-susceptible strains.

Azithromycin↗

Dynamics of clarithromycin and azithromycin efficacies against experimental Haemophilus influenzae pulmonary infection.

The dynamics of clarithromycin and azithromycin efficacy against pulmonary Haemophilus influenzae infection in rats were evaluated. Efficacy was measured by reduction in pulmonary H. influenzae burden on days 3 and 7 postinoculation. Clarithromycin therapy was effective on day 3 or 7 of therapy, while azithromycin was effective on day 7 but not on day 3 of therapy. Both macrolides produced marked efficacy against all six strains of H. influenzae tested, including four strains for which MICs were above the susceptible breakpoint (8 microgram/ml) concentration of clarithromycin. The two macrolides demonstrated markedly different pharmacokinetic characteristics, with clarithromycin present in both blood and tissue, while azithromycin was concentrated primarily in tissue. During pulmonary infection in rats, H. influenzae was found in both intracellular locations and an extracellular location in the lung. Blood concentrations of clarithromycin and azithromycin approximated human pharmacokinetics, and the blood concentrations for either macrolide rarely exceeded MICs for H. influenzae. At dosages producing blood concentrations similar to values achieved clinically, clarithromycin produced efficacy on day 3 of therapy, while both clarithromycin and azithromycin were equally effective on day 7. The different dynamics of clarithromycin and azithromycin suggest that length of therapy should be considered as a key parameter in evaluations of drug efficacy.

Animals↗

Lack of effect of zafirlukast on the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin, clarithromycin, and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin in healthy volunteers.

This randomized, open-label, crossover study was conducted to investigate whether the coadministration of zafirlukast would affect the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin, clarithromycin, or 14-hydroxyclarithromycin (14-OHC). Twelve healthy subjects (six males and six females) received single 500-mg doses of azithromycin and clarithromycin with and without zafirlukast given to a steady-state concentration. Blood was collected prior to all macrolide doses and for 3 and 10 days after each clarithromycin and azithromycin dose, respectively. Serum was assayed for azithromycin, clarithromycin, and 14-OHC concentrations by validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay systems. Data analyses were done by noncompartmental and nonparametric methods. Analysis of the patients indicated that the addition of steady-state concentrations of zafirlukast did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic parameters of or overall exposure (based on the area under the concentration-time curve) to azithromycin, clarithromycin, and 14-OHC. While zafirlukast is a known inhibitor of CYP3A4, it does not appear to exert a clinically or statistically significant pharmacokinetic effect on azithromycin, clarithromycin, or 14-OHC.

Adult↗

Effects of azithromycin on shiga toxin production by Escherichia coli and subsequent host inflammatory response.

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) colonizes the human intestinal mucosa, produces Stx from phage, and causes the development of hemolytic-uremic syndrome via Stx-induced inflammatory cytokine production. Azithromycin exhibited strong in vitro activity against STEC without inducing Stx-converting phage, in marked contrast to norfloxacin. Azithromycin decreased the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 production from Stx-treated human peripheral mononuclear cells or monocytes to a greater extent than did clarithromycin. In Stx-injected mice, azithromycin significantly suppressed Stx-induced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 levels in serum and improved the outcome as assessed by survival rate. In the STEC oral infection experiment using immature mice immediately after weaning (weaned immature-mouse model), all mice died within 7 days postinfection. Azithromycin administration gave the mice 100% protection from killing, while ciprofloxacin administration gave them 67% protection. The data suggest that azithromycin (at least at higher concentrations) has a strong effect on Stx production by STEC and on the Stx-induced inflammatory host response and prevents death in mice. Azithromycin may have a beneficial effect on STEC-associated disease.

Animals↗

High-dose azithromycin versus high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate for treatment of children with recurrent or persistent acute otitis media.

Infants and young children, especially those in day care, are at risk for recurrent or persistent acute otitis media (AOM). There are no data on oral alternatives to high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate for treating AOM in these high-risk patients. In this double-blind, double-dummy multicenter clinical trial, we compared a novel, high-dose azithromycin regimen with high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate for treatment of children with recurrent or persistent AOM. Three hundred four children were randomized; 300 received either high-dose azithromycin (20 mg/kg of body weight once a day for 3 days) or high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate (90 mg/kg divided twice a day for 10 days). Tympanocentesis was performed at baseline; clinical response was assessed at day 12 to 16 and day 28 to 32. Two-thirds of patients were aged < or =2 years. A history of recurrent, persistent, or recurrent plus persistent AOM was noted in 67, 18, and 14% of patients, respectively. Pathogens were isolated from 163 of 296 intent-to-treat patients (55%). At day 12 to 16, clinical success rates for azithromycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were comparable for all patients (86 versus 84%, respectively) and for children aged < or =2 years (85 versus 79%, respectively). At day 28 to 32, clinical success rates for azithromycin were superior to those for amoxicillin-clavulanate for all patients (72 versus 61%, respectively; P = 0.047) and for those aged < or =2 years (68 versus 51%, respectively; P = 0.017). Per-pathogen clinical efficacy against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae was comparable between the two regimens. The rates of treatment-related adverse events for azithromycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were 32 and 42%, respectively (P = 0.095). Corresponding compliance rates were 99 and 93%, respectively (P = 0.018). These data demonstrate the efficacy and safety of high-dose azithromycin for treating recurrent or persistent AOM.

Acute Disease↗

Influence of macrolide susceptibility on efficacies of clarithromycin and azithromycin against Streptococcus pneumoniae in a murine lung infection model.

We evaluated the activities of clarithromycin and azithromycin against 19 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae using a neutropenic lung infection model. The isolates included five susceptible isolates (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, </=0.12 micro g/ml), nine isolates exhibiting low-level, mefA-mediated resistance (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, 0.5 to 32 micro g/ml), and five isolates expressing high-level, ermB-mediated macrolide resistance (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, >/=64 micro g/ml). Infected mice were administered either saline (control), clarithromycin (4, 40, or 200 mg/kg of body weight twice daily or 200 mg/kg once daily), or azithromycin (4, 40, or 200 mg/kg once daily or 40 mg/kg twice daily) by oral gavage for 72 h. Mortality was assessed at regular intervals for 10 days, and survival in each group was compared to that of untreated controls. Animals infected with susceptible isolates demonstrated significant improvement in survival compared to the controls following treatment with either agent at doses of >/=40 mg/kg. In contrast, none of the regimens improved the survival of animals infected with isolates exhibiting high-level macrolide resistance. Among mice infected with strains expressing low-level resistance, significant improvement in survival compared to the controls was noted among isolates treated with clarithromycin at 40 (seven of nine isolates) and 200 (nine of nine isolates) mg/kg twice a day and with azithromycin at 40 (one of nine isolates) and 200 (three of nine isolates) mg/kg once a day. Animals infected with isolates of S. pneumoniae exhibiting low-level, mefA-mediated macrolide resistance responded to treatment with clarithromycin at rates similar to those observed among mice infected with fully susceptible isolates.

Animals↗

Tolerability of azithromycin as malaria prophylaxis in adults in northeast papua, indonesia.

Drug tolerability affects compliance. We evaluated the tolerability levels of azithromycin (750-mg loading dose plus 250 mg/day; n = 148 subjects), doxycycline (100 mg/day; n = 75), and placebo (n = 77) as prophylaxis against malaria in Indonesian adults over 20 weeks. Self-reported and elicited symptoms, health perception, hearing, hematology, and biochemistry were assessed. The loading dose was well tolerated. The frequencies (number per person-years [p-yr]) of all daily reported symptoms were similar in the three arms of the study: 40.2/p-yr for azithromycin, 39.7/p-yr for doxycycline, and 38.2/p-yr for placebo. Relative to those who received placebo, azithromycin recipients complained more often of heartburn (rate ratio = 10.5 [95% confidence interval, 2.8 to 88.1]), paresthesia (2.03 [1.08 to 4.24]), and mild (1.55 [1.01 to 2.48]) and severe (11.2 [1.34 to infinity ]) itching but less often of fever (0.21 [0.09 to 0.49]) and tinnitus (0.09 [0.04 to 0.21]). Azithromycin recipients showed no evidence of clinical hearing loss or hematologic, hepatic, or renal toxicity. One azithromycin recipient developed an erythematous rash. Daily azithromycin was well tolerated by these Indonesian adults during 20 weeks of treatment.

Adult↗

Novel, single-dose microsphere formulation of azithromycin versus 7-day levofloxacin therapy for treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired Pneumonia in adults.

This randomized, double-blind, noninferiority study was designed to demonstrate that a single 2.0-g oral dose of a novel microsphere formulation of azithromycin was at least as effective as 7 days of levofloxacin, 500 mg/day, in the treatment of adult patients with mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia (Fine classes I, II, and III). In total, 427 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a single 2.0-g dose of azithromycin microspheres (n = 213) or a 7-day regimen of levofloxacin (n = 214). At baseline, 219 of 423 (51.8%) treated subjects had at least one pathogen identified by culture, PCR, or serology. The primary end point was the clinical response (cure or failure) in the "clinical per protocol" population at test of cure (days 13 to 24). Clinical cure rates were 89.7% (156 of 174) for azithromycin microspheres and 93.7% (177 of 189) for levofloxacin (treatment difference, -4.0%; 95% confidence interval, -9.7%, 1.7%). Bacteriologic success at test of cure in the "bacteriologic per protocol" population was 90.7% (97 of 107) for azithromycin microspheres and 92.3% (120 of 130) for levofloxacin (treatment difference, -1.7%; 95% confidence interval, -8.8%, 5.5%). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated; the incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 19.9% and 12.3% for azithromycin and levofloxacin, respectively. A single 2.0-g dose of azithromycin microspheres was at least as effective as a 7-day course of levofloxacin in the treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia in adult outpatients.

Adult↗

Novel effects of azithromycin on tight junction proteins in human airway epithelia.

The macrolide antibiotic azithromycin improves lung function and prognosis among patients with cystic fibrosis or diffuse panbronchiolitis, independently of bacterial eradication. Anti-inflammatory effects have been implicated, but data from in vivo studies are scarce, and the link between abnormal electrolyte content in airway surface liquid and bronchial infections remains uncertain. In the present study, we treated human airway epithelia on filter supports with azithromycin and monitored transepithelial electrical resistance. We found that azithromycin increased transepithelial electrical resistance of airway epithelia in a dose-dependent manner. Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting showed that addition of azithromycin changed the locations of proteins in cell cultures and induced processing of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and claudin-4, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule-A. These effects were reversible, and no effect was seen when cells were treated with penicillin or erythromycin. The data indicate that azithromycin increases the transepithelial electrical resistance of human airway epithelia by changing the processing of tight junction proteins. The results are novel and may help explain the beneficial effects of azithromycin in patients with cystic fibrosis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and community-acquired pneumonia.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

A randomised controlled trial of azithromycin following surgery for trachomatous trichiasis in the Gambia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Trachomatous trichiasis frequently returns following surgery. Several factors may promote recurrence: preoperative disease severity, surgeon ability, surgical procedure, healing responses, and infection. This study investigates whether enhanced control of infection, both of Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria, with azithromycin can improve surgical outcome in a trachoma control programme. METHODS: Individuals with trachomatous trichiasis were examined and operated. After surgery patients were randomised to the azithromycin or control group. The azithromycin group and children in their household were given a dose of azithromycin. Antibiotic treatment was repeated at 6 months. All patients were reassessed at 6 months and 12 months. Samples were collected for C trachomatis polymerase chain reaction and general microbiology at each examination. RESULTS: 451 patients were enrolled. 426 (94%) were reassessed at 1 year, of whom 176 (41.3%) had one or more lashes touching the eye and 84 (19.7%) had five or more lashes. There was no difference in trichiasis recurrence between the azithromycin and control group. Recurrent trichiasis was significantly associated with more severe preoperative trichiasis, bacterial infection, and severe conjunctival inflammation at 12 months. Significant variability in outcome was found between surgeons. Visual acuity and symptoms significantly improved following surgery. CONCLUSION: In this setting, with a low prevalence of active trachoma, azithromycin did not improve the outcome of trichiasis surgery conducted by a trachoma control programme. Audit of trichiasis surgery should be routine.

Aged↗

Alterations in the conjunctival bacterial flora following a single dose of azithromycin in a trachoma endemic area.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The World Health Organisation has recommended repeated mass treatment of children in trachoma endemic areas with oral azithromycin. While chlamydia, the causative agent of trachoma, remains universally sensitive to azithromycin, there is concern that large scale programmes may alter the bacterial flora and induce resistance in streptococcal species. In this study the effect of a single dose of azithromcyin on the prevalence, species distribution, and resistance of conjunctival bacterial flora was determined. METHODS: Baseline and 14 day follow up bacterial cultures were taken from the conjunctivae of 121 children who reside in a trachoma endemic area of Nepal. 91 children were treated with azithromycin at baseline and 31 children received deferred treatment at the 14 day follow up. RESULTS: Although the prevalence of bacterial pathogens decreased significantly with azithromycin treatment, a significant change in the distribution of specific bacterial pathogens could not be demonstrated. Streptococcal resistance to azithromycin was found significantly more frequently after treatment. No change in the prevalence, distribution, or resistance pattern was found in the untreated control group. CONCLUSION: Repeated mass treatment of trachoma endemic areas with oral azithromycin will have an effect on bacterial flora. However, further work needs to be done to determine if this will have any clinical relevance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Azithromycin blocks neutrophil recruitment in Pseudomonas endobronchial infection.

Macrolides exert their effects on the host by modulation of immune responses. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin in a murine model of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa endobronchial infection. The clearance of Pseudomonas from the airway of mice treated with the macrolide azithromycin was not different than untreated mice challenged with Pseudomonas beads. However, the azithromycin-treated mice showed a remarkable reduction in lung cellular infiltrate in response to Pseudomonas beads, as compared with untreated mice. This effect was associated with significant decreases in lung levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in azithromycin-treated mice compared with untreated mice. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the response of both mouse and human neutrophils to chemokine-dependent and -independent chemoattractants when studied in vitro. Inhibition of chemotaxis correlated with azithromycin-mediated inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 activation. This study indicates that the azithromycin treatment in vivo results in significant reduction in airway-specific inflammation, which occurs in part by inhibition of neutrophil recruitment to the lung through reduction in proinflammatory cytokine expression and inhibition of neutrophil migration via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 signal transduction pathway.

Animals↗

Lack of an effect of azithromycin on the disposition of zidovudine and dideoxyinosine in HIV-infected patients.

Two studies were conducted in HIV-infected subjects to assess the potential for azithromycin to interact with zidovudine and dideoxyinosine. Both studies used 12 subjects. The zidovudine study dosed subjects with 1200 mg/day of azithromycin (n = 7) (later changed to 600 mg/day [n = 5]) for Days 8 to 21 of a 21-day course of 100 mg, five times/day of zidovudine. Subjects treated with 200 mg of dideoxyinosine twice daily for 21 days received 1200 mg of azithromycin or an equivalent amount of placebo/day for Days 8 to 21. Antiretroviral plasma and urine sampling were conducted on Days 1, 7, and 21 for zidovudine and on Days 7 and 21 for dideoxyinosine. Peripheral mononuclear cells were also collected for quantitation of phosphorylated zidovudine. Azithromycin had no significant impact on the Cmax and AUC of zidovudine, although it significantly decreased the zidovudine tmax by 44% and increased the intracellular exposure to phosphorylated zidovudine by 110%. Azithromycin had no significant effect on dideoxyinosine pharmacokinetics. Based on the results of these studies, it is concluded that azithromycin may be safely coadministered with both zidovudine and dideoxyinosine.

Adolescent↗