Macrolides, Macrolide: Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Haemophilus, Chlamydia mnemonic

Macrolides [large (macro) lid]

Inhibitors of the bacterial 50S ribosomal unit [macro lid covers the 50S unit]
Do not cross the brain-blood barrier [blue barrier protecting the brain from the crashing lid]
Erythromycin [red mouse]
- Member of the macrolide class [drawing a macro lid]
- Should not be administered with food, due to impaired absorption [red mouse cannot have the crossed-out cheese]
- Antimicrobial spectrum similar to other macrolides
- Accumulates in macrophages [red mice in macrophage]
- Adverse effects:
  - Ototoxic/auditory dysfunction [ear plugs]
  - GI upset [red inflamed stomach]
  - Hepatotoxic & depresses liver function [red mouse stomping on the liver]
- Eliminated in bile excretion and may cause cholestatic hepatitis
Clarithromycin [clear/clarinet mouse]
- Effective against haemophilus [RBC lover] and Chlamydia [clam]
- Eliminated in urine [macro lid floating on urine]
Azithromycin [ass throw mice]
- Also effective against haemophilus [RBC lover] and Chlamydia [clam]
- Safe in pregnancy
- Eliminated in bile [green]