Abstract
The need for new antibacterial agents has been evaluated as low by authoritative fonts, since existing drugs offer good therapeutic options for the vast majority of clinical conditions. Nevertheless, me-too drugs are incessantly added to existing classes of antibiotics, as is the case with macrolides. In Italy there are 10 molecules and 25 commercial products of this class. Clarithromycin and azithromycin are among the latest additions and are gaining a considerable share of the market. Available data confirm an efficacy comparable to that of erithromycin in treating respiratory and cutaneous infections, while azithromycin seems to be more effective in the treatment of chlamydial genital infections. Both drugs induce less gastrointestinal side effects than erithromycin and offer some posological advantages, but cost considerably more. In conclusion, the role of clarithromycin and azithromycin in common practice seems to be that of an alternative to their parent compound in cases of intolerance or non compliance.
| Translated title of the contribution | New macrolide antibiotics |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 177-181 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Ricerca e Pratica |
| Issue number | 48 |
| Publication status | Published - 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology