Azithromycin, all the numbers on the boom of the anti Covid antibiotic
Among the antibiotics most used in the period of the Covid-19 pandemic is Azithromycin (trade name Zithromax produced by Pfizer)
In Italy there is still an excessive use of antibiotics, although at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic there is a decrease in prescriptions. An exception is Azithromycin , trade name Zithromax (and manufacturer Pfizer), used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, as highlighted in the Osmed Report on the use of antibiotics in Italy , by Aifa.
All the details.
ANTIBIOTICS: USE IN DECO
Let's start with the data. According to the Osmed Report, in Italy the consumption of antibiotics is decreasing: in the first half of 2020 13.2 doses were purchased in pharmacies per thousand inhabitants, less than 26.3% compared to the same period in 2019.
Those purchased by local health authorities or hospitals also decreased: less than 1.3% on average, with large differences between regions. Only the month of March 2020, explains Aifa, marks a peak in the purchase of antibiotics, with a value doubled compared to 2019.
AZITHROMYCINE: USE AT + 160%
The exception to this general decrease is the group of macrolide antibiotics, which registered + 77% compared to 2019. Azithromycin boom, with use of more than 160, again according to data from the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) illustrated in the Osmed Report on the use of antibiotics in Italy.
AZITHROMYCIN
Azithromycin, trade name Zithromax (but there are also many equivalent drugs), is an antibiotic of the macrolide family.
It is, according to the Aifa leaflet, of "an azalide antibiotic that belongs to the group of antibiotics called" macrolides ". Azithromycin blocks the growth of sensitive bacteria ”.
Zithromax "is indicated in adults and children for the treatment of mild to moderate respiratory tract infections (caused by germs sensitive to azithromycin), such as:
• worsening of symptoms of chronic bronchitis,
• inflammation of the sinuses (acute sinusitis),
• pneumonia, except for that contracted in a hospital or nursing home,
• inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) and throat (pharyngitis) ”.
MANUFACTURER: PFIZER
The antibiotic is produced by the American Pfizer, the same that developed the first registered anti Covid-19 vaccine . The company closed 2019 with a turnover of 51.75 billion dollars and a net profit of 16.27 billion.
THE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST COVID
Zithromax is recommended in the anti Covid treatment for the antibacterial property of macrolides, which, explains Aifa , “derives from their interaction with the bacterial ribosome and the consequent inhibition of protein synthesis”.
“There is evidence – adds Aifa – that macrolides exert beneficial effects in patients with inflammatory lung diseases in addition to their ability to inhibit the replication of pathogenic bacteria. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that macrolides mitigate inflammation and modulate the immune system; in particular, they have been shown to cause the downregulation of cell surface adhesion molecules, reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, stimulate phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and inhibit the activation and mobilization of neutrophils. The mechanism by which macrolides exert these anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects is not well known ”.
ITALY, OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS
Has Zithromax been used a little too much? In recent months, "there has been an overuse of antibiotics and a clear misuse to deal with an epidemic that has taken us by surprise", remarked the director general of Aifa, Nicola Magrini, during the presentation of the report. "
“At the European level, the Italian position – he said – is in the range of the worst countries as regards resistance at the hospital level and in intensive care, and we have a medium-high use of these drugs. In recent years we have seen a modest decline, but the use must be profoundly reviewed ”.
REQUIREMENTS STILL TOO HIGH
According to the Agency, in fact, inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics still exceed 25% in almost all clinical conditions.
More antibiotics are used in the winter months: from 10.1 doses per thousand inhabitants in August, a maximum of 22.4 doses is reached in January. And more antibiotics are used in the South, again according to the AIFA report: the average consumption in the South and in the Islands is 19.6 doses per thousand inhabitants, 16.8 in the Center, and 12.4 in the North.
“The data confirm that, beyond the possible incidence of infectious diseases, there are other factors that cause use that is not always appropriate”, writes Aifa.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/sanita/azitromicina-tutti-i-numeri-sul-boom-dellantibiotico-anti-covid/ on Tue, 29 Dec 2020 14:50:47 +0000.