Efficacy and Safety of Azithromycin for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

article

Ghea Mangkuliguna¹  Glenardi¹  Natalia¹  Laurentius A. Pramono² 

[1]School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

[2]Department of Public Health and Nutrition, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

关键词: Azithromycin;    COVID-19;    Meta-analysis;    Systematic Review;    Treatment;   

DOI  :  10.4046/trd.2021.0075

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe lack of effective medications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a trend of drug repurposing such as the case of azithromycin which shows immunomodulatory and anti-viral effect. Several clinical trials have shown conflicting results. It is currently unclear whether the available evidence is in favor or against the use of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. MethodsFour independent reviewers selected relevant studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest published prior to March 2021. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020224967). Results0.05) from those of the control group. Azithromycin treatment did not significantly increase the risk of getting secondary infection (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.83-1.82), hypoglycemia (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.38-1.40), gastrointestinal problems (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.73-1.45) or electrocardiogram abnormalities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94-1.42). The overall quality of evidence ranged from low to very low. ConclusionAzithromycin did not result in a superior clinical improvement in COVID-19 patients, although it was well-tolerated and safe to use.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC