Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
11:31
Targeting Drugs to Larval Zebrafish Macrophages by Injecting Drug-Loaded Liposomes
Published on: February 18, 2020
Single-dose azithromycin microsphere formulation: a novel delivery system for antibiotics.
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29203, USA. damrol@sc.edu
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|August 29, 2007
Summary
Azithromycin extended release (Zmax) offers a novel single-dose treatment for pneumonia and sinusitis. Its sustained-release microspheres reduce gastrointestinal side effects, improving tolerability for single-dose azithromycin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Azithromycin is an effective antibiotic for bacterial infections.
- Previous single-dose azithromycin formulations were limited by gastrointestinal side effects.
- Community-acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis are common infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the novel single-dose azithromycin extended-release formulation (Zmax).
- To assess the efficacy and tolerability of Zmax for treating community-acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis.
Main Methods:
- Development of azithromycin incorporated into sustained-release microspheres.
- Utilizing 200-micrometer pores for slow drug release.
- Administration as a single dose.
Main Results:
- The extended-release formulation directs most of the azithromycin to the lower gastrointestinal tract.
- This sustained release mechanism reduces gastrointestinal side effects.
- Enables administration of a higher azithromycin dose, improving suitability for single-dose therapy.
Conclusions:
- Azithromycin extended release (Zmax) provides an improved option for single-dose antibiotic therapy.
- The formulation overcomes previous limitations of gastrointestinal side effects associated with single-dose azithromycin.
- Zmax is approved for treating community-acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Introduction
Oral drug delivery is the most common route of administration due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and high patient compliance. It enables precise formulation to ensure proper drug dosage and bioavailability. The development of oral dosage forms considers drug properties such as solubility, stability, and absorption to optimize therapeutic efficacy.Tablets, capsules, liquids, and chewable formulations enhance drug stability, mask undesirable tastes, and improve patient experience.
01:26Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems
Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
00:57Antibiotic Selection
Overview
01:11Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Delayed-Release Systems
Delayed-release drug delivery systems are specialized pharmaceutical formulations designed to postpone the release of active compounds until the drug reaches a specific region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, typically the intestine. These systems are essential for drugs that may cause gastric irritation, are unstable in acidic environments, or need to exert therapeutic effects locally in the intestinal or colonic regions.The core feature of delayed-release systems is the use of enteric...