Skip to main content

Macrolides

What are Macrolides?

Macrolides are a class of antibiotics derived from Saccharopolyspora erythraea (originally called Streptomyces erythreus), a type of soil-borne bacteria.

Macrolides inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by reversibly binding to the P site of the 50S unit of the ribosome. Macrolides mainly affect gram-positive cocci and intracellular pathogens such as mycoplasma, chlamydia, and legionella. Erythromycin was the first macrolide discovered; other macrolides include azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin.

Their action is primarily bacteriostatic but may be bactericidal at high concentrations, or depending on the type of microorganism.

List of Macrolides

View by  Brand | Generic
Drug Name Avg. Rating Reviews
fidaxomicin systemic (Pro)
7.4
18 reviews
erythromycin systemic (Pro)
6.2
67 reviews
clarithromycin systemic (Pro)
5.4
842 reviews
azithromycin systemic (Pro)
6.9
1,299 reviews
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.