Macrolide antibiotics are used to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections. They also have other uses, such as treating certain stomach infections. Macrolides work by stopping bacteria from making proteins they need to survive, which prevents them from growing and spreading. These medications come in different forms, including oral pills, topical gels, and injections. Examples include azithromycin (Zithromax), erythromycin (Ery-Tab), and clarithromycin (Biaxin XL).
