PENETRATION OF CLARITHROMYCIN INTO ORAL AND RESPIRATORY TISSUES

This report summarises the results of 5 studies carried out to determi ne the penetration, clarithromycin and its 14-hydroxy metabolite into oral and resPiratorY tissues. 128 patients of both sexes undergoing de ntal surgery, rhinoplasty, lung resection or tonsil resection, or Pres enting with an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, were administ ered clarithromycin (generally 250mg twice daily; 500mg twice daily fo r lung resections) for 3 days prior to sample collection. Serum, tissu e and secretion samples were assayed for clarithromycin and 14-hydroxy clarithromycin using an agar diffusion bioassay or high performance l iquid chromatography. Concentrations were assayed in triplicate and st andard curves created using computerised linear regression analysis. F ollowing oral administration, the pharmacodynamics of clarithromycin i n oral and respiratory tissues and serum include therapeutic levels th at exceed the minimum inhibitory concentrations for common respiratory pathogens for up to 12 hours following administration.