ATC Group: J01F Macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic belonging to the azalide group. The molecule is constructed by adding a nitrogen atom to the lactone ring of erythromycin A. The mechanism of action of azithromycin is based upon the suppression of bacterial protein synthesis by means of binding to the ribosomal 50S sub-unit and inhibition of peptide translocation.

Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic derivative of erythromycin A. It exerts its antibacterial action by selectively binding to the 50s ribosomal sub-unit of susceptible bacteria preventing translocation of activated amino acids. It inhibits the intracellular protein synthesis of susceptible bacteria.

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic with a primarily bacteriostatic action against Gram-positive aerobes and a wide range of anaerobic bacteria. Lincosamides such as clindamycin bind to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and inhibit the early stages of protein synthesis.

Erythromycin exerts its antimicrobial action by binding to the 50S ribosomal sub-unit of susceptible microorganisms and suppresses protein synthesis. Erythromycin is bacteriostatic and bactericidal depending on its concentration and the type of organism.

Lincomycin is an antibiotic produced by fermentation of Streptomyces lincolnensis. Lincomycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.

Roxithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic. Roxithromycin is bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bactericidal at high concentrations. It binds to the 50S subunit of the 70S ribosome, thereby disrupting bacterial protein synthesis.

Antibacterial antibiotic belonging to the macrolides family. Spiramycin inhibits translocation by binding to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunits with an apparent 1:1 stoichiometry. This antibiotic is a potent inhibitor of the binding to the ribosome of both donor and acceptor substrates. Spiramycin induces rapid breakdown of polyribosomes, an effect which has formerly been interpreted as occurring by normal ribosomal run-off followed by an antibiotic-induced block at or shortly after initiation of a new peptide.

Telithromycin is a semisynthetic derivative of erythromycin A belonging to the ketolides, a class of antibacterial agents related to macrolides.