Open AccessA critical analysis about the supposed role of azithromycin in the treatment of covid-19
Author(s) -
Ricardo Ruan Rocha Santana,
Bárbara Oliva Barbosa,
José Rivaldo de Oliveira Soares,
Rayssa Mielo Colombo,
Victória Rafaela Santos,
Ricardo Guimarães Amaral,
Lucialone Andrade
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
revista ciências em saúde
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2236-3785
DOI - 10.21876/rcshci.v11i4.1184
Subject(s) - azithromycin , repurposing , covid-19 , drug repositioning , medicine , clinical trial , observational study , intensive care medicine , antibiotics , disease , drug development , coronavirus , drug , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pharmacology , virology , biology , outbreak , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology
After over one year, the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) has still affected millions of people. For this reason, global efforts to promote better treatment of covid-19 have been undertaken focused on the repurposing of existing medications.In Brazil, azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been used in association with other drugs as an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral agent, regardless of bacterial co-infection. Indeed, data from experimental studies have demonstrated the capacity of this drug in reducing the production of infection-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. However, observational studies revealed conflicting results regarding its effect, whereas well-conducted clinical trials have not shown a considerable effect of this agent on the improvement of clinical outcomes. This narrative review addressed the possible role of this antibiotic in the management of covid-19, based on data from clinical and preclinical studies.