A CAS alert has been issued about the effectiveness of Azithromycin in the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients. The Recovery Trial has found that the use of Azithromycin had no benefit on length of hospital stay or on 28-day mortality, when given to patients.
Those working in primary care are therefore advised that Azithromycin and other antimicrobials should only be used specifically in the treatment of COVID-19 infection within the established inclusion criteria and framework of a clinical trial. Azithromycin may continue to be prescribed within the licensed indications outside of a clinical trial, and within NICE and other associated guidelines.