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Drug

Azithromycin

In clinical development
ClassBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitorEmerging researchLate-stage developmentRising momentum
Also known as AzaSite, Azitromicina, Zithromax, Zmax+2 more

AzaSite, Azitromicina, Zithromax, Zmax, Azithromycine, Azithromycinum.

RxNorm18631ChEMBLCHEMBL529ATCJ01FA10ATCS01AA26UNIIJ2KLZ20U1M
5
Research papers
23
Active clinical trials
55
Protein targets
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Azithromycin as Immunomodulation Among Children Hospitalized for Critical Asthma: A Prospective, Open-Label, Non-Randomized, Interventional Study With Parallel Biospecimen Banking

Clinical trial2026-07-31Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Hospitalized Adult Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia Treated With Beta-lactams

Clinical trial2026-07-02Results expected Q3 2030 · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Group, Phase 3 Study, Followed by Open-label Extensions, to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Belumosudil in Adult Participants With Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) Following Bilateral Lung Transplantation

Clinical trial2026-06-29Results expected Q1 2029 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Extended Azithromycin Treatment in Peri-viable and Extremely Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Pilot Study

Clinical trial2026-06-25Results expected Q2 2028 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Early Bactericidal Activity of Standard Drugs Used to Treat Mycobacterium Avium Complex: a Pilot Study

Clinical trial2026-06-22Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Oral Azithromycin Versus Intramuscular Penicillin for Secondary Prevention of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Nigerian Secondary School Students: A Comparative Study to Improve Outcomes in Rheumatic Heart Disease Management

Clinical trial2026-06-04Results expected Q4 2030 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Role of Add-on Azithromycin in the Management of Patients With Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Clinical trial2026-05-13Results expected Q1 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy

Clinical trial2026-04-21Results expected Q3 2028 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Risk of QT Interval Prolongation Associated With Use of Hydroxychloroquine With or Without Concomitant Azithromycin Among Hospitalized Patients Testing Positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Research2020-09-01JAMA cardiology

Cardiovascular manifestations and treatment considerations in COVID-19.

Research2020-04-30Heart (British Cardiac Society)

COVID-19 and chronological aging: senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?

Research2020-03-30Aging

Azithromycin for bronchial asthma in adults: an effectiveness trial.

Research2012-07-01Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Azithromycin
Aliases & brands
AzaSiteAzitromicinaZithromaxZmaxAzithromycineAzithromycinum
RxNorm CUI
18631
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL529
ATC codes
J01FA10S01AA26
UNII
J2KLZ20U1M
Primary mechanism
Bacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor

Pharmacology & targets

55 targets

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Small ribosomal subunit protein uS2
rpsB · P0A7V0
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL4
rplD · P60723
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS1
rpsA · P0AG67
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS10
rpsJ · P0A7R5
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS11
rpsK · P0A7R9
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS12
rpsL · P0A7S3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS13
rpsM · P0A7S9
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS14
rpsN · P0AG59
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS15
rpsO · P0ADZ4
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS16
rpsP · P0A7T3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS17
rpsQ · P0AG63
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS18
rpsR · P0A7T7
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS19
rpsS · P0A7U3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS20
rpsT · P0A7U7
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS21
rpsU · P68679
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS3
rpsC · P0A7V3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS4
rpsD · P0A7V8
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS5
rpsE · P0A7W1
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein bS6
rpsF · P02358
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS7
rpsG · P02359
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS8
rpsH · P0A7W7
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Small ribosomal subunit protein uS9
rpsI · P0A7X3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL10
rplJ · P0A7J3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL11
rplK · P0A7J7
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL13
rplM · P0AA10
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL14
rplN · P0ADY3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL15
rplO · P02413
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL16
rplP · P0ADY7
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL17
rplQ · P0AG44
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL18
rplR · P0C018
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL19
rplS · P0A7K6
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL1
rplA · P0A7L0
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL20
rplT · P0A7L3
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL21
rplU · P0AG48
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL22
rplV · P61175
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL23
rplW · P0ADZ0
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL24
rplX · P60624
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL25
rplY · P68919
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL27
rpmA · P0A7L8
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL28
rpmB · P0A7M2
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL29
rpmC · P0A7M6
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL2
rplB · P60422
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL30
rpmD · P0AG51
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL31B
ykgM · P0A7N1
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL31
rpmE · P0A7M9
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL32
rpmF · P0A7N4
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL33
rpmG · P0A7N9
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL34
rpmH · P0A7P5
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL35
rpmI · P0A7Q1
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL36B
rpmJ2 · Q2EEQ2
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL36A
rpmJ1 · P0A7Q6
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL3
rplC · P60438
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL5
rplE · P62399
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein uL6
rplF · P0AG55
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor
Large ribosomal subunit protein bL12
rplL · P0A7K2
INHIBITORBacterial 70S ribosome inhibitor

Clinical trials

194 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
194
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2026
23
Active studies
17
Recruiting
139
Late-stage (III+)
108
Completed
63
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 194
Early Phase 12Phase 119Phase 1 / 24Phase 230Phase 2 / 35Phase 345Phase 460Phase N / A29

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Hospitalized Adult Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia Treated With Beta-lactams

RecruitingPH IVKey trialMayo Clinicn=1,1202031

Azithromycin Reduction to Reach Elimination of Trachoma B

WithdrawnPH IVUniversity of California, San Francisco2029

Efficacy and Safety of Doxycycline Versus Macrolides for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection in Children (DOMINO): A Protocol for a Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Superiority Trial

Not yet recruitingPH IVYoung June Choen=2082029

Short-term Antibiotic Therapy in Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease

RecruitingPH IVBin Caon=1882028

Azithromycin as Adjunctive Treatment for Uncomplicated Severe Acute Malnutrition: the AMOUR Trial

RecruitingPH IVKey trialUniversity of California, San Franciscon=3,0002028

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Influence of Short-Term Antibiotic Therapy on Exercise

CompletedPH IRutgers, The State University of New Jerseyn=352026

Roflumilast or Azithromycin to Prevent COPD Exacerbations Trial

CompletedPH IIIKey trialJohns Hopkins Universityn=1,0322026

ENCORE - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Active Comparator, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of an Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension (ALIS)-Based Regimen in Adult Subjects With Newly Diagnosed Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Infection Caused by Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)

CompletedPH IIIInsmed Incorporatedn=4252026

Azithromycin and Cefixime Combination Versus Azithromycin Alone for the Out-patient Treatment of Clinically Suspected or Confirmed Uncomplicated Typhoid Fever in South Asia; a Randomised Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IVKey trialOxford University Clinical Research Unit, Vietnamn=2,1502025

Eosinophil-guided Reduction of Inhaled Corticosteroids

CompletedPH IVChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trial Network, Denmarkn=4442025

Microbial, Immune, and Metabolic Perturbations by Antibiotics (MIME Study)

CompletedPH INational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)n=1082025

Research activity

5 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20062020
Most influential

Risk of QT Interval Prolongation Associated With Use of Hydroxychloroquine With or Without Concomitant Azithromycin Among Hospitalized Patients Testing Positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

JAMA cardiology · 2020 · 465 cites

Cardiovascular manifestations and treatment considerations in COVID-19.

Heart (British Cardiac Society) · 2020 · 266 cites

COVID-19 and chronological aging: senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?

Aging · 2020 · 147 cites

Single-dose azithromycin prevents trichiasis recurrence following surgery: randomized trial in Ethiopia.

Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) · 2006 · 58 cites

Azithromycin for bronchial asthma in adults: an effectiveness trial.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM · 2012 · 42 cites
Recent papers

Risk of QT Interval Prolongation Associated With Use of Hydroxychloroquine With or Without Concomitant Azithromycin Among Hospitalized Patients Testing Positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

JAMA cardiology · 2020 · 465 cites

Cardiovascular manifestations and treatment considerations in COVID-19.

Heart (British Cardiac Society) · 2020 · 266 cites

COVID-19 and chronological aging: senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?

Aging · 2020 · 147 cites

Azithromycin for bronchial asthma in adults: an effectiveness trial.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM · 2012 · 42 cites

Single-dose azithromycin prevents trichiasis recurrence following surgery: randomized trial in Ethiopia.

Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) · 2006 · 58 cites
Major research themes5
Betacoronavirus2Antiviral Agents1Coronavirus Infections1Pandemics1Pneumonia, Viral1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Aging1
  • Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)1
  • Heart (British Cardiac Society)1
  • JAMA cardiology1
  • Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM1
Leading researchers
  • Alemayehu W1
  • Chen T1
  • Chen Y1
  • Ferrari V1
  • Gaydos C1
  • Gold HS1
  • Grasmick M1
  • Hahn DL1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center1
  • Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology1
  • Dean Clinic1
  • Harvard-Thorndike Electrophysiology Institute1
  • School of Science1
  • University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine1

Related diseases

3 conditions

Regulator-approved indications and conditions co-mentioned with this drug across the research literature. Number shows shared papers.

Related drugs

3 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Hydroxychloroquine

Studied across 10 of the same disease areas as Azithromycin in the shared literature.

10 shared diseases3 shared papers
Chloroquine

Studied across 9 of the same disease areas as Azithromycin in the shared literature.

9 shared diseases1 shared paper
Quercetin

Studied across 4 of the same disease areas as Azithromycin in the shared literature.

4 shared diseases1 shared paper
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials