MACROLIDE ANTIBIOTICS: A REVIEW

Macrolides are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics of large molecular size. The class includes erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin, among others. Macrolides are used to treat both local and systemic infections, including infections of the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and genital tract. They also exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties

Erythromycin, the first macrolide antibiotic discovered, has been used since the early 1950s for the treatment of upper respiratory tract and skin and soft tissue infections caused by susceptible organisms, especially in patients who are allergic to penicillin. Several drawbacks, however, have limited the use of erythromycin, including frequent gastrointestinal intolerance and a short serum half-life. Advanced macrolide antimicrobials synthesized by altering the erythromycin base have resulted in compounds with broader activity, more favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and better tolerability. Two of these agents, clarithromycin and azithromycin have been used extensively for the treatment of respiratory tractinfections, sexually transmitted diseases, and infections caused by Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium avium complex.

Key words- Resistance, Chemistry