Azithromycin: The Drug Used To Treat Bacterial Infections - Essay Sample

Introduction

Azithromycin is always marketed as Zithromax; it is a pharmaceutical applied in the treatment of wide variety of bacterial infections. In most cases, it is used as the first line of defense for the metastatic the infectious bacteria. The generic name is Azithromycin mainly refers to the chemical makeup of the drug. The drug's chemical compound consists of Azithromycin compound. The trade name, Zithromax is mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry to enhance the sale of the drug.

Drug Structure

The drug, Azithromycin, takes the chemical structure: C38H72N2O12 (Scholar & Pratt, 2012). The drug structure consists of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These components are combined in different ratios and proportions.

Drug Formulation

Azithromycin is formulated in the form of monotherapy or even in combination with the zithromax. The infusion is done in the chemical form, or inform of the element components. In most cases, the infusion is done under favorable temperature. The suggested dose is always 1mg/kg when combined with one milligram for every kilogram of Azithromycin (Scholar & Pratt, 2012).

Drug Target

Azithromycin is designed to target the cells within the throat, causing them to starve. Also, it blocks the interaction between PD-1, PD-L2, AND PD-L1.

Purpose of Targeting

The main reason for targeting the throat cells is to inhibit the protein and the gene content of these cells. Azithromycin is therefore meant to target the protein content and inhibit its chemical properties.

Drug Mechanism

Azithromycin works by releasing the human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that fixes into the PD-1 receptor and inhibits or blocks its interaction with the PD-L1 and PD-L2 (Scholar & Pratt, 2012). In the above case, the drug works by releasing PD-1 pathway-mediated blockage of the entire immune response, involving the anti-bacterial immune response. Besides, the drug works by binding PD-L1, PD-1 ligands, and PD-L2 to the PD-1 receptors that exist in the T cells (Scholar & Pratt, 2012). Therefore, Azithromycin inhibits bacterial proliferation. The up-regulation of the PD-1 ligands often takes place in some throat cells; as a result, signaling through the above pathway can result in the inhibition of the active bacteria.

Drug Distribution

Azithromycin is distributed around the cells infected by the virus, the drug operates throughout the body, but it only targets the cell infected by the bacteria. Through the biochemical reactions, the drug can inhibit the proliferation of the bacteria throughout the body.

Drug Metabolism

The distribution of the drug, Azithromycin, exhibits linear pharmacokinetics when given in the doze range of 0.01 to 18mg for every kilogram (Scholar & Pratt, 2012). During its reactions with the bacteria, Azithromycin produce antigens that inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Drug Elimination

The drug, Azithromycin, is eliminated through the renal systems. Specifically, the by-products are removed from the body through the kidney and in the fecal products.

Off-Target Effects

While not reacting to the bacteria, Azithromycin may destroy the other bacteria that are useful to the body. In other words, through continuous reactions with the target cells, the drug may inhibit the reaction of the untargeted cells.

Reason for Off-Target Effects

In the process of biochemical reactions, Azithromycin may react to other bacteria that are not part of the targeted cells.

Work Cited

Scholar, E. M., & Pratt, W. B. (2012). The antimicrobial drugs. New York: Oxford University Press.