Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ERYTHROMYCIN STEARATE versus ZMAX.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ERYTHROMYCIN STEARATE versus ZMAX.
ERYTHROMYCIN STEARATE vs ZMAX
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, inhibiting protein synthesis by blocking the translocation of peptides.
Azithromycin, the active ingredient in ZMAX, is a macrolide antibiotic that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, inhibiting protein synthesis and bacterial growth.
250-500 mg orally every 6 hours or 500-1000 mg orally every 12 hours; maximum 4 g/day.
500 mg orally once daily, administered as a single dose on an empty stomach.
None Documented
None Documented
1.4-2 hours in adults with normal renal function; prolonged to 5-6 hours in anuria; unchanged in hepatic impairment.
Terminal half-life: 68 hours (range 40-80 h); prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 120 h) and elderly; supports once-weekly dosing.
Primarily excreted in bile as active drug; about 2-5% excreted renally as unchanged drug. Up to 15% excreted in feces.
Renal: ~20% unchanged; fecal: ~50% as metabolites; biliary: ~30% as metabolites and parent drug.
Category A/B
Category C
Macrolide Antibiotic
Macrolide Antibiotic