Abstract

A REVIEW ON RISK – BENEFIT OF AZITHROMYCIN

Satish S.* and Devika M. Nirmal

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Abstract

Azithromycin is the most popular prescribed antimicrobial agent around the world. It is a macrolide antibiotics. Because of its higher efficacy, tolerance, and broad-spectrum activity, it is primarily used in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, some sexually transmitted infections, and major bacterial infections. Azithromycin is a broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic with a long half life and excellent tissue penetration. It is the most popular prescribed antimicrobial agent around the world because of its higher efficacy, tolerance and broad spectrum activity, but it has some side effects. Generally, this is commercially available in solids, liquids, and ophthalmic formulations due to its minimal adverse events. Evidence suggested that azithromycin may have an initial stage of cardiac arrhythmia related adverse effects. It also causes hepatocellular injury and induces jaundice. Occupational allergic contact is generally common risk asscociated with topical use of azithromycin. Most of the antimicrobial agents having the major risk factor of closridium difficult infections but in case of azithromycin the CDI is low. It is widely used in bronchodilation for the treatment of asthma patients and for covid 19 treatment. The review of literature presented that it may increase the risk of cardiac death, hepatic injury, ototoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions.

Keywords: Macrolide antibiotics, Non occupational allergic contact, Torsade de pointers, Ototoxicity, Covid -19.