Summary: On this episode, I cover azithromycin pharmacology. This drug primarily acts by inhibiting protein synthesis. It binds to the 50s ribosomal subunit.<br> <br> <br> <br> GI adverse effects like nausea and diarrhea are going to be the most common with azithromycin.<br> <br> <br> <br> Azithromycin has been associated with prolonging the QT interval. Drugs like amiodarone, ondansetron, citalopram, antipsychotics, and quinolone antibiotics can also prolong the QT interval.<br> <br> <br> <br> One major advantage that azithromycin has over other antibiotics is that it has a long half life which allows for once daily dosing. <br> <br> <br> <br> Azithromycin has numerous uses like pneumonia, MAC, alternative for ear infections in patients with a beta-lactam allergy, certain STD's, and also is rarely used in long term COPD exacerbation prevention.
