What do systematic reviews say?

Macrolides vs other antibiotics

It is very uncertain whether macrolides changes minor adverse events compared with any other antibiotic (very low certainty).

• Macrolides for treatment of Haemophilus ducreyi infection in sexually active adults 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.34 [0.24, 7.51]
  3 studies · 412 participants
  Very low

Macrolides vs placebo

Macrolides showed no clear difference in serious adverse events compared with placebo (low certainty).

• Macrolide antibiotics for bronchiectasis 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.43 [0.17, 1.05]
  1 study · 89 participants
  Low

Macrolides vs placebo

Macrolides showed no clear difference in serious adverse events compared with placebo (low certainty).

• Macrolide antibiotics for bronchiectasis 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.49 [0.2, 1.23]
  3 studies · 326 participants
  Low

Macrolides vs no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Macrolide antibiotics for bronchiectasis 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Macrolides vs no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Macrolide antibiotics for bronchiectasis 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Macrolides vs placebo

Macrolides showed no clear difference in serious adverse events (including mortality) Weighted mean study… compared with placebo (low certainty).

• Macrolides versus placebo for chronic asthma 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.8 [0.49, 1.31]
  8 studies · 854 participants
  Low

Macrolides vs doxycycline

• Antibiotics for treating scrub typhus 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 242 participants
  Very low

Macrolides vs penicillin

Macrolides showed no clear difference in adverse events (ITT analysis) compared with penicillin (low certainty).

• Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.19 [0.82, 1.73]
  6 studies · 1727 participants
  Low

Regimens containing macrolides (azithromycin) vs regimens containing tetracycline (doxycycline)

Regimens containing macrolides (azithromycin) showed no clear difference in adverse events: any antibiotic‐related adverse event leading to… compared with regimens containing tetracycline (doxycycline) (low certainty).

• Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.71 [0.38, 1.34]
  Studies not reported
  Low