Types of medicine
What Is a Macrolide? Azithromycin-Type Antibiotics
Macrolide · say it: MAK-roh-lydeAlso written: macrolide antibiotic, macrolides
Short answer
A macrolide is a type of antibiotic, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin, often used for chest and throat infections.
What it means
Macrolides are a group of antibiotics that stop bacteria making the proteins they need to grow. Examples include azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin. They are often used for chest infections, some throat and skin infections, and as an alternative for some people with a penicillin allergy.
Macrolide labels have warnings about heart rhythm (QT prolongation), stomach upset and diarrhea, and, for clarithromycin and erythromycin, strong interactions because they slow the CYP3A enzyme. That is why a pharmacist may check your statin, blood thinner or other medicines before you start one.
Macrolides are a different class from penicillins, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Azithromycin has fewer CYP3A interactions than clarithromycin, which is why the label details differ between them.
Where you may see it
- Antibiotic labels under 'Warnings' (QT prolongation)
- The 'Drug interactions' section of statin and other labels
- Allergy and prescription records
📄 How it looks on a report
Macrolides have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval and cases of torsades de pointes.
🙅 What it does not mean
- The QT warning does not mean the antibiotic will affect your heart; it matters most for people with other risk factors.
- Macrolides are not penicillins, though allergies to any antibiotic should be mentioned.
- An upset stomach is common and not usually an allergy.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Macrolide”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Amoxicillin
a penicillin-class antibacterial medicine that works against bacteria
- Atorvastatin
a statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Macrolide” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
Seeing this word on your own report? Get every line of it explained, free.
Explain my report🧩 Related words
🔎 Look up another word
More words: types of medicine
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.