Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Azithromycin”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Azithromycin compared with penicillin G benzathine for treatment of incubating syphilis.

BACKGROUND: Preventive therapy is an important element of syphilis control efforts. No currently recommended, single-dose alternatives to penicillin G benzathine are available for treatment of incubating syphilis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a single 1.0-g dose of azithromycin for treatment of persons recently exposed to sexual partners with infectious syphilis. DESIGN: Single-center, open-label, randomized pilot study to compare azithromycin with penicillin G benzathine therapy. Participants were evaluated serologically for 3 months. SETTING: Sexually transmitted disease clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. PARTICIPANTS: 96 participants who in the preceding 30 days had been exposed to partners with infectious syphilis through sexual intercourse. MEASUREMENTS: Syphilis prevention, as indicated by nonreactive serologic tests (rapid plasma reagin and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed), throughout the 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Among 96 participants enrolled, none of 40 evaluable persons in the azithromycin group and none of 23 evaluable persons in the penicillin group developed evidence of syphilis. Significantly more penicillin-treated participants (21 of 44 [48%]) than azithromycin-treated participants (12 of 52 [23%]) became nonevaluable during follow-up (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A single 1.0-g dose of azithromycin seems to be efficacious for prevention of syphilis in persons exposed to infected sexual partners.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

[The clinical and economic efficacies of short courses of azithromycin in acute sinusitis].

A randomized study of a 3-day course of azithromycin therapy (500 mg once daily) vs. a 10-day course of co-amoxiclav therapy (625 mg thrice daily) in patients with acute sinusitis was performed with an account of the GCP criteria. One hundred patients in 2 groups each of 50 persons were enrolled. The estimates of the patient body temperature, headache, pain on palpation in the area of the accessory nasal sinuses, nasal cavity stuffing, nasal discharge nature and the nose mucous membrane appearance were recorded prior to the treatment, in 72 hours and on the 10th-12th and 26th-30th days of the treatment. The microbiological analysis of the punctate from the accessory nasal sinuses was undertaken before the antibiotic therapy and 72 hours after its start. The economic analysis included the cost of the antibiotic therapy course, hospitalization term, medical manipulations and laboratory tests as well as the cost/efficacy index. The frequency of the relapses within 6 months after the cure was estimated in the two groups compared. In 72 hours and on the 10th-12th days after the treatment start the efficacy of azithromycin was significantly higher than that of co-amoxiclav. The cure was stated in 41 (82 per cent) and 26 (52 per cent) patients on the 10th-12th days, in 6 (12 per cent) and 21 (42 per cent) patients the improvement was stated and the fail was stated in 3 (6 per cent) and 2 (4 per cent) patients respectively. The efficacy of the drugs on the 26th-30th days after the treatment start did not differ. The isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes were the main pathogens. The bacteriologic eradication was recorded in 29 (90.6 per cent) patients treated with azithromycin and only in 18 (69.2 per cent) patients treated with co-amoxiclav. Adverse reactions and relapses of the disease within 6 months after the cure were more frequent in the patients treated with co-amoxiclav. The cost of the azithromycin therapy was significantly lower. It was shown that the shortened course of the azithromycin therapy provided earlier cure of the patients with acute sinusitis, better tolerance of the drug, less frequent adverse reactions, lower cost as compared to the use of co-amoxiclav and no relapses.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Comparative bioavailability of two formulations of azithromycin.

AIM: To compare the bioequivalence of two brands of azithromycin capsules in healthy male volunteers for regulatory purpose. METHOD: A single oral dose of 500 mg of either test (Panacea Biotec Ltd.) or reference (Pfizer India Ltd.) preparation of azithromycin was administered to 12 volunteers in double blind randomised cross over fashion. Serum levels of azithromycin were analysed using microbiological assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters studied were Cmax, Tmax, AUC, t1/2, Ke, CL and MRT. In vitro dissolution tests were conducted for both the preparations and compared with in vivo absorption. RESULTS: The mean peak serum azithromycin concentration of 0.516 +/- 0.008 microgram/ml was observed at 2.33 +/- 0.22 h with test brand and was similar to that of reference brand with Cmax of 0.494 +/- 0.011 microgram/ml at 2.71 +/- 0.26 h. The statistical difference between all the other paharmacokinetic parameters were insignificant. CONCLUSION: Both the brands of azithromycin can be considered to be bioequivalent on the basis of results obtained.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Azithromycin: a new 15-membered macrolide.

Azithromycin is the sole member of the macrolide sub-class, the azalides. Due to its altered chemical structure, azithromycin is characterized by a broader spectrum of activity, lower incidence of adverse events and drug interactions and a pharmacokinetic profile, that is in contrast to existing macrolides. Because of its high and prolonged cellular and tissue concentrations, patients are able to complete a course of azithromycin within a shorter timeframe as compared to other antibiotics. Azithromycin is widely used in the treatment of adult and pediatric respiratory tract infections. Continued research into azithromycin's utility has resulted in indication development for several devastating infections such as trachoma. Large-scale studies of its activity against Chlamydia pneumoniae related atherosclerosis are underway.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Azithromycin as treatment for cryptosporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus disease.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium, is the common cause of diarrhoea in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIM: To study the efficacy of short-term azithromycin in the management of cryptosporidiosis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomised, controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All consecutive patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), who were positive for cryptosporidial oocysts were taken for this prospective randomised study. RESULT: Short-term azithromycin treatment for cryptosporidial diarrhoea in AIDS patients was associated with good clinical improvement but parasitological benefit was doubtful. All 13 patients, who had symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, symptomatically improved with 5 days of treatment with azithromycin and became asymptomatic after 7 days of antibiotic, but stool sample was positive for cryptosporidium even after 7 days of therapy. After 14 days of treatment with azithromycin in 13 patients, in five patients stool was free of cryptosporidial oocyst. The drug was well tolerated in all the patients. CONCLUSION: Short-term azithromycin can be used as a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic Cryptosporidiosis but not effective in eradicating Cryptosporidial infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2000

[In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of azithromycin].

In Vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of azithromycin were compared with those of macrolides and other antimicrobial agents. In the in vitro activity azithromycin has a potent activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but against the latter organisms the other macrolides have little potent activity. The in vitro results demonstrate that azithromycin has a high potent activity against respiratory pathogens such as erythromycin-susceptible staphylococci, streptococci (except for organisms possessing erm gene), H, influenzae, B. prtussis, Legionella spp., M. pneumoniae, C. trachomatis. In the pharmacokinetic of azithromycin in mice, it is found that its half life is longer than the other macrolides and the concentration of it in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lung tissues is higher than the other macrolides. These specific properties in the pharmacodynamic and the in vitro antibacterial activities reflect the therapeutic efficacies in experimental infection models. Finally, the therapeutic efficacies of azithromycin in various infection models better than those of the other macrolides.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Transport to an infected site of azithromycin by phagocyte cells].

Azithromycin is a new macrolide antibiotic developed by Pfizer. This compound has a 15 ring structure formed by adding a methyl-nitrogen to the 14-member lactone ring of erythromycin. Azithromycin has acid stability and significant improved activity against gram negative bacteria compared to other macrolides. Further, sustained high tissue levels of azithromycin have been demonstrated clinically and in basic research. There has been particular interest in the phagocyte delivery system of azithromycin to the site of infection. The mechanism is characterized by the intake of azithromycin by phagocytic cells which release the antibiotic at the site of infection. This report describes the mechanism of sustained high tissue levels by summarizing the data of Japanese and western clinical trials and research.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[The clinical study of azithromycin in otolaryngologic infection].

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of azithromycin in otolaryngologic infections and tissue penetration. Azithromycin is a new macrolide developed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Azithromycin maintained sustained high tissue levels compared with serum levels following small doses administered over a short period of time. Furthermore, excellent efficacy was achieved with the 3 day regimen of azithromycin, comparable to 10 day regimens of other antibiotics. In summary, azithromycin was demonstrated to be a highly useful antibiotic in infections of ear, nose, and throat.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Is azithromycin treatment associated with prolongation of the Q-Tc interval?

OBJECTIVES: Prolongation of the corrected Q-T (Q-Tc) interval is associated with a risk of severe and even life-threatening arrythmias. It may occur as an adverse effect of various pharmacological agents including macrolides. We opted to study the influence of the azalide antibiotic azithromycin on the duration of Q-Tc interval as data on this subject are limited. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 47 patients, 31 females and 16 males, aged 19-77 (median 52) years, treated with azithromycin (total dosage 3 g, divided over 5 days) for typical solitary erythema migrans. The patients were previously healthy and were not receiving any other medication. In all of them ECGs were performed before as well as 7 and 14 days after initiation of the azithromycin therapy. Thus, a total of 141 ECG tracings were analyzed. Q-T intervals were measured manually in a blinded manner and corrected for heart rate according to Bazzet's formula: Q-Tc = measured Q-T (ms)/square root of R-R (s). RESULTS: Comparison of the Q-Tc intervals before, 7 days, and 14 days after the initiation of azithromycin treatment revealed a mild, but not significant prolongation (median values 406, 412.5 and 419 ms with ranges of 339-488, 352-510, and 346-505 ms, respectively). Q-Tc intervals exceeding the upper normal value of 440 ms were found in the same proportion of patients prior to as after institution of treatment. None of the ECG tracings showed significant arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: In previously healthy persons, a modest statistically insignificant prolongation of the Q-Tc interval without clinical consequences was observed after completion of a course of 3 g of azithromycin administered over a period of 5 days for solitary erythema migrans.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Azithromycin in the treatment of cholera in children.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of cholera in children. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial on 80 children with acute watery diarrhoea and moderate to severe dehydration compared the efficacy of azithromycin and erythromycin in treating cholera. Data were analysed for 56 patients who were stool culture positive for Vibrio cholerae. In conjunction with rehydration therapy, 29 patients received azithromycin and 27 patients received erythromycin. Patients in the two treatment groups had comparable clinical and blood biochemical characteristics on admission. RESULTS: Patients who received azithromycin had significantly less stool output, shorter duration of diarrhoea and lower fluid intake compared with patients who received erythromycin. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin appears to be superior to erythromycin for treating cholera in children.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

Azithromycin in upper respiratory tract infections: a clinical trial in children with otitis media.

Azithromycin is a newly developed azalide antibiotic which is very active against microbes causing respiratory tract infections; tissue concentrations remain elevated for a long time after discontinuation of treatment. A clinical study was conducted to compare azithromycin (10 mg/kg administered as a single daily dose for 3 days) with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (50 mg/kg/day given b.i.d. for 10 days) in 30 children with otitis media. Sensitivity testing demonstrated good azithromycin activity against beta-haemolytic streptococci, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. By day 12, clinical cure was recorded in 14/15 children treated with azithromycin and this was maintained at day 30. In the day 12 and 13/15 children by day 30. It was concluded that a 3-day azithromycin regimen produces a satisfactory clinical response and the eradication of key pathogens, and was acceptable for children.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Azithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections.

Azithromycin is a new azalide antimicrobial agent which has a broad spectrum of activity against common lower respiratory tract pathogens including pneumococci, staphylococci, Legionella species, Mycoplasma and Chlamydia species. In particular, it is more active against Haemophilus influenzae than other macrolides. In comparison to other new macrolides, azithromycin achieves higher tissue and intracellular concentrations and these concentrations are sustained for several days after dosing due to a long elimination half-life. The efficacy of azithromycin against lower respiratory tract infections has been proven in several clinical studies. Once-daily dosing with azithromycin, over a 3- or 5- day period was as effective as a 10-day course of other commonly used antibiotics such as amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, erythromycin or cefaclor in lower respiratory tract infections. Azithromycin short-course therapy may offer an advantage in terms of patient compliance and the duration of treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Efficacy and safety of azithromycin prophylaxis of respiratory tract infections in military community].

The efficacy and safety of azithromycin prophylaxis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young adults in a military training centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation located in the Central European Region of Russia were studied. Two prophylactic regimens with azithromycin vs. the control were evaluated: azithromycin, 500 mg/w for 8 weeks (R1), azithromycin, 1500 mg once upon the enrolment (R2) and no drugs (R3). Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcuspneumoniae and its susceptibility to antibacterials were estimated thrice: before the exposure, after the exposure within the 9th week and after the exposure within the 20th week. The MLS(B) phenotype was suspected when the isolates were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. During the observation period of 22 weeks CAP was diagnosed in 20.2% of 678 subjects in group R3, 8.6% of 508 subjects in group R1 (Risk Ratio =0.4, 95% Cl = 0.3-0.6) and 10.3% of 507 subjects in group R2 (Risk Ratio = 0.5, 95% Cl = 0.4-0.7). The S.pneumoniae carriage rate at visit 0 was 34-35%, within the 9th week it was 75, 66 and 50% (p<0.05) in groups R1, R2 and R3 respectively, and within the 20th week it was 69, 57 and 36% in the same groups (p<0.05). At visit 0 no macrolide resistance was detected in any of the 40 isolates tested. The background level of intermediate penicillin resistance was revealed in 0-14% of the isolates. Dramatic growth of macrolide resistance was observed within the 9th week in group R1 (95.7%, 44 resistant strains, Azithro+Clinda resistance in 37% of them) and in group R2 (89.5%, 34 resistant strains, Azithro+Clinda resistance in 11.9% of them). By the 20th week the resistance rate decreased up to 40 % (16 resistant strains, Azithro+Clinda resistance in 10% of them) in group R1 and up to 22.6% (7 resistant strains, Azithro+Clinda resistance in 5.4% of them) in group R2. As for penicillin resistance, no unfavourable shifts were detected. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the azithromycin prophylaxis of CAP in healthy young men at high transient risk of the disease, as well as the possible risk for selection of resistant endemic pathogens.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

[Azithromycin levels in the chorion tissue within the first three months of the pregnancy term].

The levels of azithromycin in the chorion tissue within the first 3 months of the pregnancy term (42 to 56 days post coitus) were determined. Three days after the use of azithromycin (Sumamed) the antibiotic concentration in the villi tissue was 0.065 to 0.26 mcg/mg (the average of 0.129 mcg/mg). The azithromycin concentration above 0.125 mcg/mg was detected in 38.5% of the women. The results confirmed the fact of significant azithromycin accumulation in the chorion tissue. The percentage of the azithromycin transplacental transfer within the above mentioned pregnancy term varied from 2.3 to 9.3 (the average of 4.6).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Effective treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria with azithromycin-quinine combinations: a randomized, dose-ranging study.

Azithromycin, the most potent antimalarial macrolide antibiotic, is synergistic with quinine against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. We assessed combinations of azithromycin and quinine against uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria at the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-Kwai River Clinical Center along the Thailand-Myanmar border, an area with a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum. Four regimens were assessed in an open-label dose-ranging design involving 61 volunteers. All received oral quinine (Q; 30 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours for 3 days) with oral azithromycin (Az; 500 mg twice a day for 3 days, 500 mg twice a day for 5 days, or 500 mg three times a day for 3 days). A comparator group received quinine and doxycycline (Dx; 100 mg twice a day for 7 days). Study observation was 28 days per protocol. Sixty volunteers completed the study. Seven days of QDx cured 100% of the volunteers. One failure occurred in the lowest QAz regimen (on day 28) and none occurred in either of the two higher Az regimens. Cinchonism occurred in nearly all subjects. Overall, the azithromycin regimens were well tolerated, and no volunteers discontinued therapy. Three- and five-day azithromycin-quinine combination therapy appears safe, well tolerated, and effective in curing drug-resistant P. falciparum malaria. Further evaluation, especially in pediatric and obstetric populations, is warranted.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Lack of a pharmacokinetic interaction between azithromycin and chloroquine.

A study was conducted to investigate a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between azithromycin and chloroquine. Twenty-four subjects received azithromycin, 1,000 mg a day for three days, followed by a washout period, then azithromycin, 1,000 mg plus chloroquine 600 mg base on days 1 and 2, and azithromycin, 1,000 mg plus chloroquine 300 mg base on day 3 of the final period. A second group of 16 subjects received chloroquine, 600 mg base on days 1 and 2, then 300 mg base on day 3. Blood samples were obtained serially up to 624 hours after the day 3 dose in each period. Log transformed maximum concentration and area under the curve values of azithromycin and chloroquine were compared using 90% confidence intervals calculated from appropriate analysis of variance models. Ninety percent confidence intervals for all pharmacokinetic parameters were contained within the interval 80-125%, which indicates the absence of a clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Post-antibiotic effect of azithromycin on respiratory tract pathogens.

Azithromycin is a new azalide antibiotic with structural modifications that confer to the molecule acid stability, extension of antibacterial spectrum that includes important Gram-negative pathogens, long elimination half-life, and tendency to concentrate into various tissues where it persists for extended periods of time. The existence and length of a post-antibiotic effect (PAE), an important parameter for the characterization of new antibiotic molecules, has not yet been evaluated for this agent. In this study the PAE of azithromycin was assessed against representative respiratory pathogens included in the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the drug. The results obtained indicate that azithromycin produce a significant PAE on all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested, resulting in an average value of 3.5 h for both S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae, 3 h for B. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, and 2 h for Klebsiella spp. These findings support previous reports underlining the remarkable in vitro activity of azithromycin against H. influenzae, a pathogen poorly susceptible to the classical macrolides. Furthermore, the present demonstration of the existence of a long PAE of azithromycin against other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria extends the pharmacokinetic advantages of the drug and strongly supports the application of this azalide in the therapy of respiratory infections.

Azithromycin↗
PubMed1994

Accumulation, release and subcellular localization of azithromycin in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells in culture.

The authors have examined the pharmacokinetic parameters of azithromycin in phagocytic (J774 macrophages) and non-phagocytic (rat embryo fibroblasts and NRK-cells) cultured cells. Azithromycin demonstrates an exceptionally large accumulation in all the cell types tested (perhaps in two functionally and structurally distinct compartments) and a slow release of the cell-associated drug. Azithromycin probably accumulates in cells by a non-specific transport process following the model of diffusion/segregation. The cell-associated drug distributes mostly in the lysosomal compartment (50-70%) and the remaining part is freely soluble in the cytosol. In fibroblasts, and to a lesser extent in NRK-cells, azithromycin (10mg/l) induces a decrease of the buoyant density of the lysosomes which may be brought about by the drug itself together with osmotically-bound water and/or by the accumulation of low-density materials within these organelles. These observations open important questions with respect to the potential toxicity of azithromycin. The significance of such alterations and of their biological consequences are at present under investigation.

Animals↗