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Outpatient Macrolide Use
Net consumption fluctuates as broad-spectrum drugs replace older sub-classes
BACKGROUND
Macrolides and lincosamides are bactericidal antibiotics that work by inhibiting protein synthesis. Older macrolides (erythromycin) are mainly active against gram-positive bacteria, but newer members of the class (clarithromycin, azithromycin) provide expanded coverage against some gram-negative species and are among the most dispensed antibiotic compounds in developed nations. Macrolides are used to treat respiratory, ear, and soft-tissue infections. The closely related lincosamides (clindamycin) are active against gram-positive organisms and are a first-line therapy against MRSA skin infections.
The national-level consumption of macrolides and lincosamides has remained stable relative to that of other antibiotic classes. However, at the subclass level not shown here, physicians are moving away from older members of the class (erythromycin) and using more broad-spectrum macrolides (azithromycin), particularly in areas of widespread resistance among respiratory pathogens. In addition, clindamycin utilization has been growing at high rates in part because of the epidemic of community-acquired MRSA skin infections.
A REGIONAL PICTURE OF ANTIBIOTIC CONSUMPTION
OUTPATIENT USE TRENDS
