AIFA: there are no effective antibiotics for COVID-19

Regarding the recent press reports relating to the deficiency of azithromycin also as a result of its excessive and improper use for COVID-19, AIFA specifies that azithromycin, and no antibiotic in general, is approved, let alone recommended, for the COVID-19 treatment.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, AIFA has strongly discouraged the use of azithromycin for COVID. As amply demonstrated by numerous and well-conducted clinical studies published in the best international journals, there is no evidence that the use of azithromycin has a protective effect on the evolution of COVID-19, neither in terms of reduction of transmission, nor of timing. of healing, or of mortality. There is clear and unambiguous evidence for no longer using azithromycin or other antibiotics in the treatment of COVID-19, as clearly indicated by all international guidelines for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

It should also be remembered that antibiotics are not effective for the treatment of any viral infections, including seasonal flu.

The indiscriminate use of azithromycin or any other antibiotic, in addition to having no scientific basis, exposes the double risk of creating antibiotic deficiency conditions for subjects who actually need them to treat bacterial infections and increasing the risk of development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this regard, AIFA clarifies that, from the checks carried out, the current shortage does not derive from exports or other distribution anomalies, but from the prescription of the drug outside the indications provided.

Given that AIFA has already implemented, as always in these cases, all the measures to combat the shortage to ensure the drug for authorized uses, the Agency reminds everyone, prescribers and citizens, to the responsibility of using antibiotic therapies only where indicated. Using antibiotics with care and prudence must be a commitment and a duty for everyone, from healthcare professionals to the general population, as the main weapon in contrasting the problem of antibiotic resistance which represents, in addition to COVID-19, one of the challenges. major globally for both health and the ecosystem in general.

AIFA: there are no effective antibiotics for COVID-19

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