The new macrolide antibiotics

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A resurgence in the use of erythromycin has renewed interest in the development of newer macrolide antibiotics. Compared with erythromycin, two new macrolides, azithromycin and clarithromycin, have an expanded spectrum of activity and less-frequent dosing schedule. Both new agents have been effective in the treatment of various respiratory and skin-structure infections and may be useful in sexually transmitted diseases. Their safety profile is comparable to that of other oral antibiotics, and they appear to be better tolerated than erythromycin.