Question

What are the routes of administration, conditions treated, and the primary action of Azithromycin (Zithromax)?

Option 1:
Routes: IM or SC
Treats: Gastrointestinal infections
Action: Disrupts cell wall synthesis

Option 2:
Routes: IV or PO
Treats: Upper and lower respiratory tract infections, STDs
Action: Binds with receptor sites in susceptible organisms to inhibit protein synthesis

Option 3:
Routes: Topical
Treats: Cardiovascular diseases
Action: Increases blood flow and reduces clot formation

Option 4:
Routes: Inhalation
Treats: Urinary tract infections
Action: Inhibits DNA replication in bacteria

Answer 1

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic that treats infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. It is administered orally or via IV to treat respiratory tract infections, STDs, skin infections, and more. The primary action of Azithromycin is to bind to the 50S ribosomal subunit, halting bacterial protein production.

Step-by-step explanation:

Azithromycin, commonly known by its brand name Zithromax, is a macrolide antibiotic. It operates as a protein synthesis inhibitor that binds to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes. As a result, it effectively treats a range of infections by preventing bacteria from producing essential proteins, leading to a bacteriostatic effect.

The primary routes of administration for Azithromycin are oral (PO) and intravenous (IV). It is not typically given intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC). Azithromycin is commonly used to treat upper and lower respiratory tract infections, certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and is also effective against certain skin infections, and C. trachomatis urogenital infections.

Azithromycin's primary action involves inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, rather than disrupting cell wall synthesis. It binds selectively to the 50S ribosomal subunit, interfering with microbial protein production. This mode of operation differentiates it from other antibiotic classes, such as beta-lactams, which target the bacterial cell wall.