If the demonstration of the interest to treat beta-haemolytic streptococcal
pharyngitis is not to be done, the recommended
antibiotics, most of the time, display the drawback of a treatment with one to three intakes daily for 10 days. The
azithromycin, with its numerous properties, allows for the required
treatment duration, to decrease the intakes number, thus facilitating the compliance. Its in vitro activity is very good on streptococci with a MIC90 of 0.06 mg/l. Its in vivo activity in animal, with experimental Streptococcus pyogenes
infection models is identical to the
amoxicillin activity, and better than those of other tested
macrolides. One of the major characteristics of
azithromycin in man is its most peculiar pharmacokinetic with an extended half life and very high tonsillar concentrations, for at least 10 days after the administration of the product at the 1.5 g dose regimen over 3 days. In streptococcal acute
tonsillitis clinical studies, with a 1.5 g dose regimen over 5 days, clinical results and bacterial eradication are identical to those obtained in the
Penicillin V groups. This administration facility should greatly improve the treatment compliance and lower the risks of a prematurely discontinued treatment.