D. Honeybourne et al., THE LEVELS OF CLARITHROMYCIN AND ITS 14-HYDROXY METABOLITE IN THE LUNG, The European respiratory journal, 7(7), 1994, pp. 1275-1280
Clarithromycin is a new macrolide that has a longer half-life than ery
thromycin and is claimed to reach higher tissue concentrations. We aim
ed to investigate whether, following oral administration, the drug and
its 14-hydroxy metabolite reach levels in lung tissue that are likely
to be clinically effective against common respiratory pathogens. Ten
patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy received seven doses of cl
arithromycin, 500 mg b.i.d. orally. Bronchoscopy was performed at a me
an time of 4.25 h after the last dose. At bronchoscopy, bronchial biop
sies and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. Clarithromycin and its
14-OH metabolite were measured in serum, bronchial biopsies, epitheli
al lining fluid (ELF) and alveolar cells Mean levels of clarithromycin
were 4.0 mg.l-1 in serum, 16.8 mg.kg in bronchial biopsies, 20.5 mg.l
-1 in ELF and 372.7 mg.l-1 in alveolar cells. The equivalent levels of
14-OH metabolite were 0.7, 2.7, 1.9 and 38.6 mg.l-1, respectively. We
conclude that there is considerable concentration of clarithromycin a
nd its 14-OH metabolite in alveolar cells, and to a lesser extent in b
ronchial tissue and ELF; this implies efficacy against susceptible org
anisms at these sites.