Telithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections.
Telithromycin is a ketolide, a semisynthetic derivative of the 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotics, with an expanded spectrum of activity relative to macrolides. Its good tissue pharmacokinetic characteristics allows once-daily administration, and it has been successfully employed in lower respiratory tract infections. Recent data indicate that telithromycin may exert anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects that may be of use in the treatment of both acute and chronic airway diseases. This review examines the role of telithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections, analyzing published data on exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia and asthma in adults. In addition, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug are considered.
University of Milan, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Milano, Milan, Italy. francesco.blasi@unimi.it
F
F
Blasi
M
M
Cazzola
P
P
Tarsia
S
S
Aliberti
C
C
Baldessari
V
V
Valenti
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D048628:Ketolides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D048628:Ketolides; C106791:telithromycin