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Macrolides are bacteriostatic antibiotics with a wide range of activity and high safety of use. Macrolides rarely cause side effects and are used in the treatment of many ailments – from inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, through inflammation of the urinary tract, to venereal diseases.
Many people associate antibiotic therapy with upset and weakening of the body for many weeks, as well as with unpleasant side effects of using this type of medication. Macrolides they are easy to dose, gentle to the body, and their duration of action is extended. While in use macrolides The risk of antibiotic resistance, i.e. making the bacteria attacking the body resistant to the drug, is reduced due to the high concentration and potency of the preparation in the short time of its administration.
Characteristics, types and action of macrolides
Macrolides we include to macrocyclic antibiotics, i.e. chemical compounds with a high molecular weight and cyclic structure.
Macrolides due to their origin, they are divided into three main types: macrolides natural, semi-synthetic and analogues – azalides (azithromycin) i ketolidy (telithromycin).
Macrolides They are produced naturally by bacteria and fungi of the genus Streptomyces. Down macrolides natural include antibiotics such as erythromycin, oleandomycin, josamycin, methimycin, sporeamycin, kitazamycin, lancacidin, spiramycin, and midecamycin.
See also: Other drugs that contain spiramycin
Macrolides can also be obtained by means of laboratory processes – semi-synthetically. This allows the drug to be modified and its action to be enhanced, for example against streptococci. Down macrolides semisynthetics include clarithromycin, roxithromycin, rocitamycin, flurithromycin, nitromycin, and myocamycin.
Out of macrolytic antibiotics the most commonly used are azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin.
System of operation macrolide antibiotics it’s about molecules sticking together macrolides with bacterial ribosomes and inhibition of peptidyltransferase translocation, as a result of which the biosynthesis of proteins in bacterial cells is disturbed, which impairs the activity of bacteria and stops the development of the disease. Bacteriostatic action macrolides it consists in limiting the multiplication of bacteria, but in higher concentrations macrolides they can have a bactericidal effect, i.e. completely fight bacteria. Action of macrolides it is similar to the action of other antibiotics: lincosamides, therefore in some cases these types of antibiotics are used interchangeably.
Macrolide antibiotics they also show immunomodulatory properties, which means, inter alia, reducing the amount of mucus and facilitating its removal in the case of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. For this reason macrolides they are most often used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis and to reduce the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
Indications for the use of macrolide antibiotics
Macrolides they fight inflammations of the upper and lower respiratory tract: pneumonia, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis, acute and chronic sinusitis, as well as otitis media.
Macrolide antibiotics Due to their bacteriostatic effect, they are also used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases – gonorrhea and syphilis. The indication for use macrolides there are also inflammations in the urinary tract and chlamydiosis in the female genital tract. Macrolides they are used for bacterial infections such as staphylococcal, streptococcal and listeria infections, as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue infections. Macrolides it is also used in ophthalmology, with chronic and acute inflammation of the eyes, as well as in dentistry, to combat gingivitis and periodontitis. Macrolide antibiotics they are also used in the treatment of Lyme disease and babesiosis. Macrolides they are used in cases where the body does not respond to previously prescribed penicillins or there is an allergic reaction.
Macrolides – contraindications and side effects
Macrolide antibiotics should not be used in patients suffering from hepatic insufficiency. Use macrolides during pregnancy is not prohibited, but their effects on pregnant women have not been tested in clinical conditions.
While in use macrolide antibioticsAs with any treatment with bacteriostatic drugs, it is important to use protective drugs that restore a healthy bacterial flora in the body to reduce the risk of mycosis. To avoid vaginal mycosis, it is also recommended to use nystatin vaginal globules.
Taken as prescribed by a doctor macrolides They should not cause side effects, but nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness may occur with these antibiotics. Temporary hearing loss can also occur. Macrolides react with antihistamines and anticoagulants, which may increase the undesirable symptoms and effects of these drugs. If you are taking such medications, please report this fact to your attending physician.