Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution: in purulent bacterial or trachomatous conjunctivitis.
The second-generation macrolide azithromycin is available as a 1.5% ophthalmic solution for use in the treatment of bacterial or trachomatous conjunctivitis. This article reviews the pharmacological properties of azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution and its clinical efficacy and tolerability in patients with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis or trachomatous conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution had good in vitro activity against Haemophilus influenzae and C. trachomatis, and achieved good concentrations in tear samples from healthy volunteers. Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution for 3 days (1 drop twice daily) was noninferior to tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solution for 7 days (1 drop every 2 hours) in paediatric and adult patients with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis, with regard to clinical cure and bacteriological resolution on day 9, in a randomized, investigator-masked, multicentre study. In children with trachomatous inflammation, 3-day treatment with azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution was noninferior to a single dose of azithromycin oral suspension, with regard to clinical cure rate in the worst eye at 60 days, in a randomized, double-masked, multicentre study. Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution was well tolerated in patients with bacterial or trachomatous conjunctivitis. Most events were of mild to moderate severity.
Adis, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Karly P
KP
Garnock-Jones
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D017963:Azithromycin