THE ROLE OF OUTPATIENT-ADMINISTERED AZITHROMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Globally, community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a quite frequent disease, and infectious agents thereof are identified in less than 50 % of all cases, and in outpatients are usually not investigated. According to research findings and recommendations, most CAPs are empirically treated with antibiotics, which must be effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. Macrolides, especially the new generation (azithromycin), have less toxicity and better pharmacokinetic properties, are the alternative medicines, used when the first-line treatment is not tolerated. Clinical studies demonstrated 3-day treatment efficacy and safety with azithromycin while treating upper and lower respiratory tract infections in everyday clinical practice.