THE EFFICACY OF AZITHROMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The most common form, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), is often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, in addition to other bacterial and viral agents. This integrative review aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, considering its mechanisms of action, pharmacological profile, and tolerability. The search was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases, with specific inclusion criteria for studies published between 2013 and 2023. Of the 92 articles initially found, only four met all established criteria. The results indicated that azithromycin, a macrolide with prolonged action and good tissue penetration, is effective against several respiratory pathogens, including typical and atypical bacteria. Its simplified dosage regimen favors treatment adherence, and its tolerability is generally good. However, the importance of rational use to avoid bacterial resistance is emphasized. It is concluded that azithromycin represents an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for the management of CAP, as long as it is used based on appropriate clinical criteria.