Showing chemical card for Azithromycin (CFc000008747)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
2022-08-28 10:25:12 UTC
Update Date
2022-09-13 18:55:39 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000008747
Molecule Identification
Common Name
Azithromycin
Definition
Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic of the azalide class. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections, most often bacteria causing middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. It is also effective against certain sexually transmitted infectious diseases, such as non-gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis. Like other macrolide antibiotics, azithromycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of the bacterial 70S ribosome. Binding inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with amino acid translocation during the process of translation. Its effects may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending of the organism and the drug concentration. Its long half-life, which enables once-daily dosing, and shorter administration durations is a property distinct from other macrolides. Azithromycin is derived from erythromycin; however, it differs chemically from erythromycin in that a methyl-substituted nitrogen atom is incorporated into the lactone ring, thus making the lactone ring 15-membered. Azithromycin is sold under the brand names Zithromax ("Zmax") and Sumamed, and is one of the world's best-selling antibiotics.
