Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that exerts broad-spectrum antibacterial effects by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. It is widely used in the clinical treatment of infections such as respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue, and sexually transmitted diseases. It has the characteristics of long half-life and simple administration regimen.

1. Main indications

(1) Respiratory tract infections: Effective in treating community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and other common pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

(2) Skin and soft tissue infections: suitable for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and other pathogens such as pustulosis and erysipelas, usually treated for 5 days.

(3) Sexually transmitted diseases: Single dose treatment for uncomplicated urethritis/cervicitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, or combination therapy for chancre.

2 Other clinical applications

(1) Traveler's diarrhea: For pathogenic bacteria such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, it can be combined with loperamide to shorten the course of the disease.

(2) Mycobacterium avium infection: as the basic drug for prevention and treatment of this opportunistic infection in AIDS patients.

(3) Pertussis: Used for post exposure prevention and treatment, it can significantly reduce infectivity and improve cough symptoms.

3 Special usage scenarios

(1) Childhood otitis media: It is a first-line choice for 3-day therapy, especially suitable for children with penicillin allergy, and the efficacy is comparable to amoxicillin.

(2) Acute exacerbation of COPD: can reduce inflammatory markers and decrease the risk of recurrence within the next year by about 20%.

(3) COVID-19 adjuvant therapy: Used to suppress cytokine storms during the pandemic, it is now only recommended for use when combined with bacterial infections.