Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2007;2(1):9-12.
doi: 10.2147/nano.2007.2.1.9.

Single-dose azithromycin microsphere formulation: a novel delivery system for antibiotics

David Amrol  1
Affiliations
Review

Single-dose azithromycin microsphere formulation: a novel delivery system for antibiotics

David Amrol. Int J Nanomedicine. 2007.

Abstract

Azithromycin extended release (Zmax, Pfizer Inc) is a novel single-dose administration formulation of azithromycin which won FDA approval in June 2005 and is currently approved for the treatment of community acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis. Azitromycin is incorporated into sustained-release microspheres which release the drug slowly through 200 microm pores. Because of this sustained release mechanism, most of the drug is released into the lower gastrointestinal tract, reducing gastrointestinal side-effects, and allowing for a higher dose to be administered. The unique pharmacological properties and extremely long half-life of azithromycin make this drug well suited to single-dose administration but gastrointestinal side effects have previously hampered single-dose therapy.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Amsden G. Pneumococcal macrolides resistance–myth or reality? J Antimicrob Chemother. 1999;44:1–6. - PubMed
    1. Breen J, Chandra R, Herbig S, et al. Zmax: a novel microsphere-based azithromycin dosage form; American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists [poster]; Nov 6–10, 2005; Nashville TN, USA. 2005.
    1. Craig WA, Kiem S, Andes DR. Free Drug 24-Hr AUC/MIC is the PK/PD target that correlates with in vivo efficacy of macrolides, azolide, ketolides and clindamycin [abstract A-1264]; 42nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; September 27–30, 2002; San Diego, CA, USA. 2002.
    1. D’Ignazio J, Camere MA, Lewis DE, et al. Novel, single-dose microsphere formulation of azithromycin versus 7-day levofloxacin therapy for treatment of mild to moderate community acquired pneumonia in adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005;49:4035–41. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Drehobl MA, De Salvo MC, Lewis DE, et al. Single-dose azithromycin microspheres vs clarithromycin extended release for the treatment of mild-to-moderate community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Chest. 2005;128:2230–7. - PubMed

MeSH terms