Penetration of roxithromycin in bronchial secretions

Roxithromycin sputum and serum concentrations after administration of therapeutic doses (150 mg in a single dose) were evaluated in six patients. Blood samples and pooled sputum samples were collected at corresponding time intervals up to 24 h after drug administration. Roxithromycin sputum levels were found to be almost always above serum concentrations, the highest sputum levels being 5.85 +/- 2.5 micrograms/ml in the interval ranging from 2 to 4 h after drug administration. Due to its antibacterial spectrum and favourable pharmacokinetic properties, roxithromycin, like other macrolide antibiotics, seems to be particularly indicated in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.