MACROLIDES

Erythromycin Clarithromycin Azithromycin

Mechanism of action
Inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 50 s subunit

Antibacterial activity
Bactericidal or bacteriostatic, depending on the concentration and type of bacteria

Macrolides ( cont. )
Pharmacokinetics
Erythromycin base
Absorption incomplete but adequate from intestine Inactivated by gastric HCL, hence given as : Enteric coated tablets or ester (stearate, ethyl succinate ) Food delays absorption Not metabolized and actively secreted in bile ( major route of excretion ) Only 2-5 % is excreted in active form in urine Widely distributed into most tissues, except the brain and CSF Cross the placental barrier Protein binding 70- 80 % Half life approx. 1.6 hr

Clarithromycin
Pharmacokinetics
Acid stable Food delays absorption but doesnt alter its extent Metabolized by the liver to 14- hydroxy clarithro. ( active ) Widely distributed, except brain and CSF Protein binding 40 70 % Excreted in Urine unchanged 20 40 % 14- H. clarithromycin 10 15 % Biliary Half- life clarithromycin 3 7 hr 14 H. clarithromycin 5- 9 hr

Advantage over erythromycin

Lower frequency of GI intolerance Less frequent dosing ( twice daily )

MACROLIDES ( cont. )
Azithromycin
Pharmacokinetics
Rapidly absorbed from GIT Food delays absorption Widely distributed ( extensive tissue distribution ), except CSF Protein binding 51% Undergo some hepatic metabolism ( inactive ) Biliary route is the major route of elimination Only 6% is excreted unchanged in the urine Half- life approx. 3 days

Advantage over erythromycin & clarithromycin

Once daily dosing No inhibition of cytochrome P- 450

Macrolides ( cont. )
Antibacterial spectrum
Erythromycin Mainly effective on G+ bacteria
A. Gram- positive bacteria Staph. Aureus S. pneumoniae URTIs ( eg. Otitis media, pharyngitis ) LRTIs ( eg. Pneumoniae ) S. pyogens C. diphtheria B. Gram- negative bacteria T. pallidum C. Intracellular organisms L. pneumophila M. pneumoniae C. trachomatis

Indications for erythromycin

1. Alternative to penicillin in allergic pts ( Staph.Aureus, S. pyogens, S.pneumoniae or T.pallidum ) 2. Diphtheria & whooping cough drug of choice 3. Legionnaires disease- drug of choice 4. Pneumoniae ( M. pneumoniae ) children 5. Chlamydia trachomatis

Clarithromycin
Antibacterial spectrum
A. Gram- positive bacteria Staph. Aureus S. Pneumoniae S. Pyogens B. Gram- negative bacteria H. influenzae H. Pylori M. catarrhalis C. Intracellular organisms M. pneumoniae L. Pneumophila

Indications
Pharyngitis / tonsilitis Otitis, sinusitis Adjunct in treatment of duodenal ulcer ( H. pylori )

Azithromycin
Mainly effective on G- bacteria but less active against G+(s.pneumoniae & s.pyogenes) than erythromycin

Antibacterial spectrum
A. Gram- positive bacteria Staph. Aureus S. Pneumoniae S. Pyogens B. Gram- negative bacteria (> erythromycin) M. catarrhalis H. influenzae C. Intracellular organisms (> erythromycin) L. Pneumophila M. pneumoniae Chlamydia species

Indications
Pharyngitis/ tonsilitis ( s. pyogens ), otitis, sinusitis ( Staph. Aureus & H. influenzae Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections

Side effects of macrolides

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain & diarrhea( AAC) Allergic reactions- urticaria, mild skin rashes Sore mouth