Can azithromycin treat COVID-19?

Macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin have been used for lower respiratory infections and pneumonia, as well as asthma, bronchiolitis, and COPD. Azithromycin dosing is less frequent with a gentler side effect profile than erythromycin and is often used in patients suffering from chest congestion, coughing, increased sputum production, and breathlessness.

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Since President Donald Trump’s announcement that this drug may be used for COVID-19 treatment, many are asking why an antibiotic would be used to treat a viral infection.

What do ODs need to know about this medication?

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About azithromycin
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with a 15-membered lactone ring. It has excellent tissue penetration and antimicrobial activity against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Anti-inflammatory effects include reduction in proinflammatory cytokine production1 and hastening of the macrophages phagocytosis ability.² Direct antiviral actions have been reported.3 Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, it is used for many chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung diseases, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.⁴

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic, idiopathic inflammatory disease of the bronchioles commonly treated using macrolides. Erythromycin has been shown to significantly reduce levels of IL-8 and human defensins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.⁵ Erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin have been found to inhibit mucus secretion6 and may reduce fluid production by blocking chloride secretion inside epithelial cells in the lungs. Azithromycin in particular was found to protect against bacterial virulence by decreasing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.⁷ These patients often suffer from co-infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenza, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

In one study of 29 patients with DPB, azithromycin therapy resolved Haemophilus influenza and S. pneumoniae while low levels of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were still detected.⁸ A dosage of 500 mg per day reversed small airway lesions, improved small airway stenosis, and decreased airway resistance.⁸

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Azithromycin has been shown to improve lung function in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis with pseudomonas infection, but the mechanism is not fully understood. It does not kill Pseudomonas bacteria. Azithromycin may reduce bacteria’s ability to attach to lung lining, or it may reduce bacteria's production of substances damaging to lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis.⁹

Studies of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic fatal lung disease causing dyspnea and cough, found azithromycin to be beneficial.^10,11 In this disorder, epithelial cells initiate fibrosis of the alveolar lining. Injury of the alveolar epithelial lining followed by aberrant wound healing is believed to be the initiating event for IPF development. Autophagy, the cellular process where damaged organelles, denatured proteins, and other metabolic garbage is disposed of through a lysosomal degradation pathway, malfunctions in IPF. Insufficient autophagy may contribute to fibrogenesis and promote fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix production, stiffening airways making breathing difficult.

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Virus treatment
Because symptoms similar to those in these lung infections are noted with SARS-COV-2 infections, it is not surprising that azithromycin treatment was initiated early in the current pandemic of COVID-19.

Azithromycin has been used against Zika12,13 and Ebola viruses.¹⁴

Its use in 25 of 138 patients was reported in a recent JAMA article, “Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China.”¹⁵

It has been previously used to treat Middle East Respiratory syndrome, however, its use was not found to be significantly beneficial.¹⁶ A popularly referenced study in France found that patients taking both azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine responded better than those treated using hydroxychloroquine alone. Conclusions must be guarded as this was a small study.¹⁷

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Adverse events
While treatment of lung disease using azithromycin appears promising, it is important to check for a few things before prescribing this drug.

Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset (abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea), dizziness, headaches, photosensitivity, or a skin rash.¹⁸ Tinnitis and even hearing loss is associated with this medication,^19,20 so the medication should be stopped if ringing in the ears is noted. It should be avoided in patients with a history of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome²¹ and other serious skin reactions,²² as well as those with myasthenia gravis. Development of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea has been reported.²⁴

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Prolonged cardiac repolarization and prolongation of the QT interval can occur.²⁵ An electrocardiogram (ECG) should be performed to assess the normal heart rhythm because the medication can cause arrythmias. Patients with abnormal QT intervals, congenital long QT syndrome, a history of torsades de pointes, bradyarrhythmias, or heart failure may be at risk for fatal QT prolongation.²⁶ Elderly patients are more at risk.

Abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, cholestatic jaundice, and hepatic failure have been reported with its use.²⁷

I generally prescribe this using my electronic prescription service to ensure I do not miss a drug interaction. Azithromycin increased levels of theophylline and aminophylline, warfarin, digoxin, phenytoin, and statins. Nelfinavir increases serum concentration of azithromycin, so those receiving single oral doses need to have liver enzyme tests and hearing monitored.

Finally, chronic use may lead to increased bacterial resistance.⁴

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References:

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2. Feola DJ, Garvy BA, Cory TJ, Birket SE, Hoy H, Hayes D Jr, Murphy BS. Azithromycin alters macrophage phenotype and pulmonary compartmentalization during lung infection with Pseudomonas. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2010 Jun;54(6):2437-47.
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