Macrolides

These are antibiotics produced by actinomycetes and streptomycetes, containing a macrocyclic lactone ring in their structure linked to amino sugar residues. The most common ones are erythromycin, oleandomycin, rosamicin, nystatin, and others. These are macrolide or polyene antibiotics. They inhibit the growth of gram-positive, penicillin-resistant staphylococci and mycoplasmas, gram-negative cocci, spirochetes, large viruses, and protozoa. Their bacteriostatic effect is based on inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to ribosomes. Their special property is being active against the mentioned microorganisms resistant to benzylpenicillin, streptomycin, levomycetin, and tetracycline. Macrolides are low in toxicity, side effects are rare, they are recommended for use when the disease is caused by pathogens resistant to other antibiotics, especially when patients are allergic to natural and semi-synthetic penicillins. The most effective is erythromycin, indicated in various infections. It is noteworthy that erythromycin concentrates in the liver, kidneys, and spleen, then is excreted in bile and urine. Active in Legionnaires’ disease. There are no absolute contraindications to its use. It is a well-tolerated drug. When used for more than 10-12 days, signs of intoxication may occur. Oleandomycin has a similar effect to erythromycin but is less active.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė