An azalide is any of a class of macrolide antibiotics which contain a nitrogen in the macrolide ring.
Lucky for us 21st century human beings, most strains of streptococcus are easy to kill with a wide variety of antibiotics. Most commonly, a beta-lactam antibiotic such as a penicillin derivative or cephalosporin will be used. Where this is contraindicated, azithromycin will be used. It's my professional opinion that doctors attempt to use beta-lactam antibiotics first, and save azalide antibiotics such as azithromycin as a second option.
Azithromycin is a macrolide derivative referred to as an azalide. It was approved for clinical use in 1992 and has several advantages over traditional macrolides such as erythromycin. Azithromycin is more acid stable and therefore has greater oral bioavailability. It has a longer half life and thus can be administered once daily. Azithromycin also achieves higher tissue concentrations and enhanced antimicrobial activity compared with erythromycin.Finally, azithromycin has a lower incidence of adverse side effects and drug interactions than other macrolides. In obstetrics and gynecology, azithromycin is of primary value for treatment of respiratory tract infections and chlamydial infections. Azithromycin is a macrolide derivative referred to as an azalide. It was approved for clinical use in 1992 and has several advantages over traditional macrolides such as erythromycin. Azithromycin is more acid stable and therefore has greater oral bioavailability. It has a longer half life and thus can be administered once daily. Azithromycin also achieves higher tissue concentrations and enhanced antimicrobial activity compared with erythromycin.Finally, azithromycin has a lower incidence of adverse side effects and drug interactions than other macrolides. In obstetrics and gynecology, azithromycin is of primary value for treatment of respiratory tract infections and chlamydial infections.