Azithromycin in the treatment of COVID-19: a review.

Daniel Echeverría-Esnal, Clara Martin-Ontiyuelo, María Eugenia Navarrete-Rouco, Marta De-Antonio Cuscó, Olivia Ferrández, Juan Pablo Horcajada, Santiago Grau

Expert review of anti-infective therapy 2021 Feb

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SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus that causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Antiviral and immunomodulatory agents have been proposed as potential treatments. Azithromycin exhibits both properties and therefore may play a role. This article reviews the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of azithromycin in viral infections, with emphasis on COVID-19. A literature search of PUBMED was conducted on May 30th and updated on July 28th. Azithromycin presents in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 and could act in different points of the viral cycle. Its immunomodulatory properties include the ability to downregulate cytokine production, maintain epithelial cell integrity or prevent lung fibrosis. Azithromycin use was associated with a reduction in mortality and ventilation days in other viral infections. These properties could be beneficial throughout the COVID-19. However, the evidence of its use is scarce and of low quality. Azithromycin has been assessed in retrospective observational studies mainly in combination with hydroxychloroquine, which has shown to provide no benefit. This macrolide presents a well-known safety profile. Upcoming clinical trials will determine the role of azithromycin in the COVID-19 (including the stage of the disease where it offers the greatest benefits and the effect of its combination with other drugs).

Citation

Daniel Echeverría-Esnal, Clara Martin-Ontiyuelo, María Eugenia Navarrete-Rouco, Marta De-Antonio Cuscó, Olivia Ferrández, Juan Pablo Horcajada, Santiago Grau. Azithromycin in the treatment of COVID-19: a review. Expert review of anti-infective therapy. 2021 Feb;19(2):147-163