solithromycin

Solithromycin is a fourth-generation fluoroketolide antibiotic, structurally derived from erythromycin and classified within the macrolide/ketolide subclass. It was developed to address community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), particularly targeting pathogens resistant to traditional macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and penicillins. Solithromycin acts by binding to the 23S rRNA of the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit at multiple sites, inhibiting protein synthesis and thereby exerting both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. Its unique structure includes a fluorine atom at carbon position 2 of the macrolactone ring, enhancing its activity against resistant bacteria. The drug has demonstrated efficacy against common CABP pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (including multidrug-resistant strains), Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Beyond CABP, it has been investigated for uncomplicated urogenital urethritis/gonorrhea and Mycoplasma genitalium infections. Despite promising clinical trial results showing non-inferiority to moxifloxacin in CABP treatment, FDA approval was not granted due to concerns about hepatotoxicity risk and manufacturing issues[2][4][5][6][8].

Brand names

Solithera

Other names

solithromycin