Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE versus ZITHROMAX.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE versus ZITHROMAX.
ERYTHROMYCIN ETHYLSUCCINATE vs ZITHROMAX
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate is a macrolide antibiotic that binds to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, inhibiting protein synthesis by blocking translocation of peptidyl-tRNA. It may also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, inhibiting protein synthesis by preventing translocation of peptides. It also has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.
400-800 mg orally every 6 hours or 4 times daily; maximum 4 g/day. Intravenous form available but ethylester is oral only.
500 mg orally once daily for 3 days, or 2 g orally as a single dose for certain infections.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: 1.5-2 hours in adults with normal renal function; extended to 5-6 hours in patients with severe hepatic impairment; not significantly altered by renal failure.
Terminal elimination half-life of approximately 68 hours (range 35-96 hours), allowing once-weekly dosing for some indications.
Primarily hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion (80-90% as unchanged drug and metabolites into bile); renal excretion accounts for 5-15% of unchanged drug; fecal elimination of unabsorbed drug.
Primarily eliminated via biliary/fecal route (∼50-60% as unchanged drug); renal excretion accounts for ∼12% of the dose; minimal metabolism.
Category A/B
Category C
Macrolide Antibiotic
Macrolide Antibiotic