Macrolide antibiotics (MA) belong to a group of antibiotics of natural origin and they have been used in therapy of infectious diseases for over half a century.
Macrolide antibiotics have a complex cyclic structure with bacteriostatic mechanism of action. In low concentration of macrolide antibiotics, bacteria do not die, but cease to multiply.
Indications for using all macrolide antibiotics are different types of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections (upper and lower), sexually transmitted infections, oral infections, infections of skin and soft tissues.
In addition, macrolide antibiotics are prescribed in intolerance to cephalosporins and penicillin allergy. Furthermore, macrolide antibiotics are used in the treatment of pertussis. The main advantage of macrolides compared to other antibiotics is their minimal toxicity.
Macrolide antibiotics are subdivided into two classes according to the method of obtaining: natural and semisynthetic. The list of macrolide antibiotics includes more than 10 different antibacterial agents. One of the first macrolides developed in the middle of the last century is Erythromycin.
Erythromycin is the first natural macrolide antibiotic and is actively used in clinical practice for treatment and prevention of a broad spectrum of diseases caused by bacterial infections for more than 60 years.
Erythromycin is effective in treatment of various bacterial infections, including such common ENT diseases as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and maxillary sinusitis. Erythromycin is not contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Erythromycin inhibits function of liver enzymes responsible for destruction of other drugs. Therefore, some drugs are retained in the body causing toxic effects during interaction with these macrolide antibiotics.
The drug is taken on an empty stomach. Erythromycin somewhat more often causes nausea than other macrolide antibiotics. Do not consume alcohol when using Erythromycin.
Macrolide antibiotic Erythromycin has been used in medical practice for a long time and some bacteria have acquired resistance to it. In this case, use of more modern bacteriostatic antibiotics is recommended, e.g., Azithromycin. This drug is one of the most commonly used semisynthetic MA.
Azithromycin is best to take on an empty stomach. During pregnancy, this drug is used only if necessary and with an increased caution. The use of Azithromycin is contraindicated in severe liver and kidney dysfunctions.
A distinctive feature of macrolide antibiotics is that this group rarely causes allergy. However, if allergy symptoms appear, the use of MA should be discontinued. Among other adverse reactions of the drug, such disorders of gastrointestinal tract as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, pain or discomfort in the abdomen are found.
Long-term use or use of high doses of MA increases the risk of liver dysfunction. When taking some drugs of macrolide group, there is a risk of dizziness, headache, and even the development of mental disorders.
Macrolide antibiotics are produced in the form of tablets, suspensions and solution for injections. Macrolide antibiotics belong to the least toxic antibiotics and, so they are well tolerated. This is one of the safest groups of antimicrobial drugs that is confirmed by numerous clinical studies.
Therefore, macrolide antibiotics are classified as having favorable safety profile for patients. This allows using them in children, elderly people, as well as during pregnancy.
If you have been prescribed with macrolide antibiotics and you want to buy them at a low price, you can find cheap antibiotic drugs on online pharmacy. Before buying macrolide antibiotics online, you can ask a pharmacist of online pharmacy all your questions about macrolides.