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Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Azithromycin is an azalide, derived from the macrolide class of antibiotics. The mode of action of azithromycin is inhibition of protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to the 50s ribosomal subunit and preventing translocation of peptides.
Azithromycin demonstrates activity in vitro against a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) and other Streptococcal species; Haemophilus influenzae and parainfluenzae; Branhamella catarrhalis; anaerobes including Bacteroides fragilis; Escherichia coli; Bordetella pertussis; Bordetella parapertussis; Borrelia burgdorferi; Haemophilus ducreyi; Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Azithromycin also demonstrates in vitro activity against Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and hominis, Campylobacter sp., Toxoplasma gondii and Treponema pallidum.
Pharmacokinetics: Following oral administration in humans, azithromycin is widely distributed throughout the body; bioavailability is approximately 37%. The time taken to peak plasma levels is 2-3 hours. The plasma terminal elimination half-life closely reflects the tissue depletion half-life of 2 to 4 days.
