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Is Azithromycin Part Of The Penicillin Family?

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Posted on Mon, 17 Mar 2014
Question: Is azithromycin part of the penicillin family?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: they are a different family Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic No, azithromycin is in a class of antibiotics called macrolides. Other macrolides are erythromycin and clarithromycin.They have a similar structure which is essentially a large ring (called a macrocyclic lactone ring). The structure and mechanism of action is different compared to penicillins. Macrolides are sometimes used when there is a history of allergy to penicillins. I hope this helps , feel free to ask any additional questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Azithromycin Part Of The Penicillin Family?

Brief Answer: they are a different family Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic No, azithromycin is in a class of antibiotics called macrolides. Other macrolides are erythromycin and clarithromycin.They have a similar structure which is essentially a large ring (called a macrocyclic lactone ring). The structure and mechanism of action is different compared to penicillins. Macrolides are sometimes used when there is a history of allergy to penicillins. I hope this helps , feel free to ask any additional questions