Drug Database
AZ

azithromycin (Azimac)

✓ Approved

Beijing Holley-Cotec Pharma · Small Molecule · Small Molecule

What is azithromycin?

azithromycin is a small molecule developed by Beijing Holley-Cotec Pharma. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesAzimac
CompanyBeijing Holley-Cotec Pharma
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Beijing Holley-Cotec Pharma

Therapeutic Indications

azithromycin is developed for 8 unique indications across 3 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsLower respiratory tract infection✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsOtitis media✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsSinusitis✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsTonsillitis✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsUrinary tract infection✓ Approved

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Related Research Articles

PubMedEnvironmental toxicology2026-07-09

Biophysical and Biochemical Assessment of Azithromycin-Induced Phytotoxicity in Giant Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza.

Bhardwaj Anjali A, Bhatt Upma U, Strasser Reto J RJ, Soni Vineet V

The increasing occurrence of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystems raises concerns regarding their phytotoxic effects on non-target primary producers. This study investigated the impact of azithromycin on growth, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative stress responses in Spirodela polyrhiza. Azithromycin exposure caused a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of growth, accompanied by a decline in chlorophyll content, indicating reduced light-harvesting capacity. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed a widespread impairment of Photosystem II, characterized by reductions in the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry, electron transport efficiency, and overall photosynthetic performance. In contrast, only minor changes were observed in fluorescence parameters associated with the electron transport chain, suggesting the absence of a localized blockage. Instead, electron transport efficiency was reduced, leading to increased excitation pressure and a shift toward nonphotochemical energy dissipation. Photosynthetic disruption was closely associated with oxidative stress, as moderate azithromycin exposure enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, whereas higher concentrations caused oxidative damage, as indicated by increased malondialdehyde accumulation. Flavonoids and anthocyanins exhibited a biphasic response, reflecting an initial activation of antioxidant defenses followed by metabolic suppression under severe stress. These effects are attributed to inhibition of chloroplast protein synthesis, which compromises Photosystem II functionality and disrupts cellular redox balance. Overall, azithromycin induces phytotoxicity through coordinated alteration of photosynthetic efficiency and oxidative homeostasis, highlighting chloroplast translation as a critical target and emphasizing the ecological risks of macrolide antibiotics in aquatic environments.

PMID 42422907
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PubMedThe Lancet. Infectious diseases2026-07-09

The spread of sexually transmissible drug-resistant shigellosis in England: a genomic epidemiology study.

Marshall Julia E JE, Lefrancq Noemie N, Mason Lewis C E LCE, Jawed Fariha F et al.

Shigellosis, caused by Shigella bacteria, is a leading cause of diarrhoeal disease globally. In the last two decades, Shigella circulation in high-income countries has expanded from being a sporadic travel-associated illness to also being an endemic sexually transmissible illness among men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to characterise the nature and drivers of this multimodal Shigella transmission in a high-income setting. In this genomic epidemiology study, we used Shigella sonnei isolates referred for national surveillance from 138 laboratories across 15 UK health regions. Cases that had recent (defined as in the past 28 days) travel to Africa, Asia, or Latin America and the Caribbean were defined as high-risk travel-associated cases. Presumptive MSM (pMSM) cases were defined as men aged 16-60 years without recent high-risk travel history. Non-pMSM were defined as cases that were not pMSM or high-risk travel. We implemented phylodynamic and geospatial modelling on national genomic surveillance data of S sonnei isolates collected in the UK between Sept 20, 2004, and Feb 28, 2020, to quantitate and compare geospatial spread and transmission intensity of S sonnei across demographic groups (the primary outcome). We also determined the relative influence of antimicrobial resistance on pathogen dynamics in these demographic groups and evaluate the emergence of an extensively drug-resistant S sonnei clade collected in England between Jan 1, 2016, and Dec 30, 2021, as a secondary analysis. 3514 isolates were collected during the study period. Of these isolates, 1197 (34·1%) came from pMSM, 1269 (36·1%) from non-pMSM, and 1048 (29·8%) from high-risk travel. We found that sexually transmitted S sonnei spread more rapidly (ie, had a greater mean pairwise spatial distance after 2·5 years or less of evolutionary time: pMSM 117·4 km [95% CI 100·7-132·3], non-pMSM 45·8 km [32·6-62·1], p<0·0001) and transmitted more intensely (100 more transmission chains for a given population size [95% CI 41-171], p=0·0020) than other domestically acquired S sonnei. Isolates deriving from sexually transmitted shigellosis also had greater relative fitness and were 1·15 (95% credible interval 1·08-1·23) times as fit as isolates from high-risk travel transmission. The relative fitness of azithromycin resistance among pMSM was greater (1·71 relative growth [1·59-1·84]) than in either non-pMSM or high-risk travel demographics, and that declines of azithromycin fitness in sexual transmission networks coincided with changes in treatment policies for gonorrhoea. In a secondary analysis of 468 isolates, pathogen emergence was associated with resistance to ceftriaxone. Our study shows the distinct and intensifying sexual transmission of shigellosis, highlighting the urgent need to address sexually transmissible shigellosis as a distinct health threat. Traditional interventions for enteric diseases, such as handwashing and food hygiene practices, are not likely to affect sexual transmission of shigellosis, highlighting a crucial gap in public health management. The development of alternative interventions to address this public health threat is urgently needed. Furthermore, the unequivocal evidence of bystander resistance driven by treatment guidelines in a syndemic setting underscores the need to better manage antimicrobial stewardship across pathogens at a public health level. The UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the UK Research and Innovation Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections at the University of Liverpool, and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.

PMID 42419333
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PubMedEuropean journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology2026-07-09

Molecular epidemiology and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in Northern Spain.

Almela-Ferrer María Del Rosario MDR, Nieto-Toboso María Carmen MC, Montoya-Azpeitia Elisabeth E, López-de Munain Josefina J et al.

To analyse the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular diversity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates recovered in 2016-2017 at a tertiary hospital in northern Spain, and to perform a seven-year pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) evaluation using susceptibility data from previous studies conducted in the same hospital setting. A total of 231 non-duplicated isolates from 227 patients were studied. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by MIC gradient strip tests and molecular typing was performed by NG-MAST v2.0. Epidemiological variables were analysed, and considering the MIC distribution of the isolates, the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) for relevant antimicrobials was estimated. Most infections occurred in men (80.5%), particularly among men who have sex with men (50.3%), with the highest incidence in patients aged 25-34 years. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and cefixime (100%), while susceptibility to azithromycin remained above 95% throughout the study period. In contrast, ciprofloxacin resistance remained high, ranging from 46.2% to 72.7% over the seven-year period. PK/PD analysis showed that CFR values ≥ 90% were achieved only with cephalosporins. Molecular typing identified 91 STs, including 15 previously undescribed STs. Six genogroups accounted for 51.9% of isolates and were associated with distinct epidemiological and resistance patterns. Ceftriaxone remains the preferred empirical treatment option for gonococcal infection. The favourable PK/PD performance observed for cefixime supports its activity against the studied isolates, although current treatment recommendations continue to prioritize ceftriaxone, particularly for extragenital infections; whereas ciprofloxacin should not be recommended for empirical use because of persistently high resistance rates. Continued molecular and antimicrobial resistance surveillance is essential for monitoring the emergence and dissemination of NG-MAST genogroups associated with antimicrobial resistance and for guiding future treatment strategies.

PMID 42420698
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PubMedCase reports in hematology2026-07-09

Management Challenges and Outcomes of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: First Case Series Report From Vietnam.

Dinh-Van Luong L, Nguyen-Cong Hoang-Anh HA, Tran-Ngoc Nguyen N, Nguyen Bich-Ngoc T BT

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a serious pulmonary manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Data from low- and middle-income countries remain scarce. We conducted a case series of 11 patients diagnosed with BOS between November 2023 and June 2025 at the National Lung Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. Clinical characteristics, treatments, pulmonary function, and outcomes over 12 months were analyzed. The series was predominantly male (81.8%), with a median age of 34 years (range, 12-57). The median time from HSCT to BOS diagnosis was 24 months (range, 11-72). All patients received fluticasone, azithromycin, montelukast (FAM) plus long-acting bronchodilators, and 4 patients also received systemic corticosteroids. Median baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 1.35 L (range, 0.53-2.48), corresponding to 40% predicted (range, 18-68). Over 12 months, 9/11 patients (81.8%) were hospitalized for respiratory infections, with invasive aspergillosis in 7/14 episodes (50%). Four patients (36.4%) died, three from infections, and one from autoimmune cerebritis. Median survival among deceased patients was 6.5 months. Among survivors, lung function was generally stable, with no significant change in FEV1 across baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months (Friedman test, p value = 0.37). BOS after HSCT in Vietnam was associated with high early mortality and a high incidence of invasive fungal disease. Systemic corticosteroid use appeared to increase infection-related deaths, while steroid-sparing regimens such as FAM combined with bronchodilators stabilized lung function in most survivors. Early detection, antifungal prophylaxis, and steroid-sparing strategies are crucial in this high-risk population.

PMID 42422327
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PubMedMayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes2026-07-09

Impact of Prenatal Nutrition Interventions on Infant Longitudinal Growth: A Secondary Analysis of the Mumta Pregnant Women Trial in Pakistan.

Pasha Aneela A, Khan Shahiryar S, Qazi Muhammad Farrukh MF, Balouch Benazir B et al.

To evaluate the effect of antenatal interventions on infant growth from birth till 12 months of age. In the Mumta Pregnant Women (PW) trial conducted from July 22, 2019, to February 1, 2022, PW were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to one of 4 groups: control (standard antenatal care), balanced energy protein supplementation (BEP alone), BEP/azithromycin (AZ), or BEP/nicotinamide/choline. Infant growth trajectories were modeled using the broken stick method and k-means clustering for weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length z-scores. Random effect models assessed the impact of interventions and covariates (maternal age, height, parity, and mode of delivery) on growth outcomes. From 1884 PW randomized, 1678 infants were born alive and included in this analysis (control n=410, BEP only n=418, BEP/AZ n=428, and BEP/choline/nicotinamide n=422). The mean growth trajectories revealed that the BEP/AZ arm had higher mean WAZ, LAZ, and weight-for-length scores compared with control. BEP/AZ arm had the highest proportion of infants in the thriving cluster across WAZ (control 34.4 % and BEP/AZ 35.5 %), and LAZ (control 31.7%, BEP/AZ 33.4%) measures. The odds of membership to the faltering cluster were reduced in the BEP/AZ arm based on WAZ (control 22.3%, BEP/AZ 15.7%), and LAZ measures (control 22.1%, BEP/AZ 17.7%) as compared with control. Across all measures, faltering was 4-fold higher in small-for-gestational-age infants and 2-fold higher among infants born to undernourished mothers. Antenatal interventions, such as BEP and prophylactic AZ, may have the potential to support and sustain infant growth outcomes in low-resource settings. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04012177.

PMID 42421698
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PubMedScientific reports2026-07-08

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of environmental Legionella pneumophila isolates from shower water in Shandong Province, China.

Jiang Yuanyuan Y, Qin Chuan C, Hu Bin B, Yu Lianlong L et al.

Limited data are available on the antimicrobial susceptibility of environmental Legionella pneumophila strains in China. This study investigated the susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from shower water in public bathing facilities in Shandong Province, China, to six commonly used antimicrobial agents for treating Legionnaires' disease, thereby providing regional data for establishing international ECOFF values. Reduced susceptibility strains were detected in all six antimicrobial agents. Erythromycin exhibited the highest rate of non-wild type strains (35 strains, MIC > 0.5, MIC50 = 0.75 mg/L, MIC90 = 12 mg/L). Rifampin followed (32 strains, MIC > 0.032, MIC50 = 0.047 mg/L, MIC90 = 0.25 mg/L). Levofloxacin (25 strains, MIC > 0.25, MIC50 = 0.38 mg/L, MIC90 = 1.5 mg/L). Azithromycin (21 strains, MIC > 0.25, MIC50 = 0.125 mg/L, MIC90 = 2 mg/L). Moxifloxacin (17 strains, MIC > 1, MIC50 = 1 mg/L, MIC90 = 6 mg/L). Cefuroxime lacks a provisional ECOFF value; most strains had MIC = 16, MIC50 = 12 mg/L. No significant MIC difference was found between serogroup 1 and other serogroups (p > 0.05). Research indicates that Legionella pneumophila in China exhibits geographically specific reduced drug susceptibility. Fluoroquinolones are the first-line treatment for Legionella pneumonia.

PMID 42414486
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