title: Delirium in the elderly resulting from azithromycin therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Azithromycin, a semi-synthetic azalide antibiotic, is a macrolide that thus far has not shared the neuropsychiatric side effects of other macrolides such as erythromycin and clarithromycin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We now report significant delirium associated with conventional dosing of azithromycin in two geriatric patients who were being treated for lower respiratory tract infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The onset of delirium was apparent within 72 hours of initiating azithromycin therapy and lasted 48 to 72 hours after discontinuing treatment with the drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to the adverse central nervous system symptoms associated with clarithromycin, those induced by azithromycin seem to take longer to resolve, perhaps based upon the longer elimination half-life of the latter antimicrobial, particularly in geriatric women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
authors.forename: Lawrence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cone
authors.forename: Lester
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Potts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin