The second-generation
macrolide azithromycin is available as a 1.5%
ophthalmic solution for use in the treatment of bacterial or trachomatous
conjunctivitis. This article reviews the pharmacological properties of
azithromycin 1.5%
ophthalmic solution and its clinical efficacy and tolerability in patients with purulent
bacterial conjunctivitis or trachomatous
conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Azithromycin 1.5%
ophthalmic solution had good in vitro activity against Haemophilus influenzae and C. trachomatis, and achieved good concentrations in tear samples from healthy volunteers.
Azithromycin 1.5%
ophthalmic solution for 3 days (1 drop twice daily) was noninferior to
tobramycin 0.3%
ophthalmic solution for 7 days (1 drop every 2 hours) in paediatric and adult patients with purulent
bacterial conjunctivitis, with regard to clinical cure and bacteriological resolution on day 9, in a randomized, investigator-masked, multicentre study. In children with trachomatous
inflammation, 3-day treatment with
azithromycin 1.5%
ophthalmic solution was noninferior to a single dose of
azithromycin oral
suspension, with regard to clinical cure rate in the worst eye at 60 days, in a randomized, double-masked, multicentre study.
Azithromycin 1.5%
ophthalmic solution was well tolerated in patients with bacterial or trachomatous
conjunctivitis. Most events were of mild to moderate severity.