azithromycin oleogel

Azithromycin oleogel is an investigational, oil-based gel formulation of the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin, developed by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Designed primarily for pediatric use and patients with dysphagia in resource-limited settings, the oleogel system utilizes vegetable-based oils (such as cottonseed, safflower, or sesame oil) and gelling agents (such as beeswax or candelilla wax) to provide a stable delivery vehicle suitable for both oral and rectal administration. Azithromycin exerts its antibacterial effect by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible microorganisms, thereby inhibiting RNA-dependent protein synthesis. This novel formulation is intended to improve access to treatment in settings where standard oral tablets or suspensions are difficult to administer or store, and it is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials to compare its bioavailability and safety profile against standard oral azithromycin tablets.

Other names

azithromycin oral and rectal oleogel