Can Azithromycin be administered through a Nasogastric Tube (NGT) in an elderly patient with severe community-acquired pneumonia on ventilator support and meropenem, who is allergic to fluoroquinolones?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: January 30, 2026View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Pemberian Azithromycin Melalui NGT pada Pneumonia Berat

Ya, azithromycin dapat diberikan melalui NGT dengan cara menggerus tablet atau menggunakan sediaan suspensi oral, dan merupakan pilihan yang tepat untuk pasien ini dengan pneumonia berat yang alergi fluoroquinolone dan sudah mendapat meropenem.

Rekomendasi Regimen Antibiotik

Untuk pasien lansia dengan pneumonia berat yang memerlukan ventilator, kombinasi beta-laktam (meropenem yang sudah diberikan) ditambah azithromycin melalui NGT adalah regimen yang sesuai dengan guideline. 1

Dasar Pemilihan Azithromycin

  • Untuk pasien ICU dengan pneumonia komunitas berat, guideline IDSA/ATS merekomendasikan kombinasi beta-laktam (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, atau ampicillin-sulbactam) ditambah azithromycin atau fluoroquinolone 1
  • Karena pasien alergi fluoroquinolone, azithromycin menjadi pilihan wajib untuk coverage atypical pathogens termasuk Legionella species 1
  • Meropenem yang sudah diberikan memenuhi kebutuhan beta-laktam spektrum luas untuk coverage S. pneumoniae dan gram-negatif 1

Cara Pemberian Azithromycin Melalui NGT

Persiapan dan Administrasi

  • Tablet azithromycin dapat digerus dan dicampur dengan 10-20 mL air steril, kemudian diberikan melalui NGT 1
  • Alternatif lebih baik: gunakan sediaan suspensi oral azithromycin jika tersedia untuk menghindari masalah sumbatan NGT 1
  • Bilas NGT dengan 30 mL air sebelum dan sesudah pemberian untuk memastikan dosis penuh masuk dan mencegah sumbatan 1

Dosis yang Direkomendasikan

  • Azithromycin 500 mg sekali sehari melalui NGT selama minimal 5 hari 1, 2
  • Untuk pneumonia berat dengan bakteremia pneumokokal, pertimbangkan durasi lebih lama hingga 7 hari 3, 2

Pertimbangan Klinis Penting

Monitoring Respons Terapi

  • Evaluasi perbaikan klinis dalam 48-72 jam pertama: penurunan demam, stabilisasi hemodinamik, perbaikan oksigenasi 4
  • Jika tidak ada respons dalam 48-72 jam, pertimbangkan coverage MRSA dengan menambahkan linezolid 600 mg IV setiap 12 jam atau vancomycin 1, 4

Faktor Risiko yang Perlu Diperhatikan

  • Pasien dengan ventilator support termasuk kategori high mortality risk yang memerlukan coverage agresif 1, 5
  • Jika ada riwat penggunaan antibiotik IV dalam 90 hari terakhir, pertimbangkan menambahkan coverage MRSA sejak awal 1, 5
  • Jika ada structural lung disease (bronkiektasis), pertimbangkan menambahkan antipseudomonal agent kedua seperti aminoglikosida 1

Pitfall yang Harus Dihindari

  • Jangan gunakan fluoroquinolone monotherapy untuk severe CAP karena data menunjukkan trend inferior outcome pada pasien dengan mechanical ventilation 1
  • Jangan hentikan azithromycin terlalu cepat - kombinasi therapy harus diberikan minimal 48 jam atau sampai hasil kultur diketahui 1
  • Jangan lupa bilas NGT dengan adequate volume untuk mencegah sumbatan dan memastikan bioavailabilitas optimal 1

Keunggulan Azithromycin untuk Kasus Ini

  • Azithromycin mencapai konsentrasi tinggi di alveolar lining fluid dan intracellular, sehingga efektif meskipun diberikan oral/NGT 1
  • Studi menunjukkan azithromycin parenteral sama efektifnya dengan cefuroxime IV untuk hospitalized CAP, mendukung penggunaan rute enteral 1
  • Tolerabilitas baik dengan efek samping minimal (6% dalam studi) 2

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Efficacy and safety of azithromycin versus benzylpenicillin or erythromycin in community-acquired pneumonia.

European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology, 1995

Guideline

Antibiotic Recommendation for Pneumonia with Severe Renal Impairment and Multiple Allergies

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Antibiotic Treatment for Aspiration Pneumonia

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Related Questions

Is azithromycin (a category B medication) a safe treatment option for community-acquired pneumonia in pregnant women?
What is the recommended treatment with azithromycin (macrolide antibiotic) for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and community-acquired pneumonia?
What is the recommended dose of azithromycin (Zithromax) for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia?
What is the recommended duration of Azithromycin (azithromycin) therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)?
What is the role of Azithromycin (macrolide antibiotic) in treating bilateral infiltrates, possibly indicating community-acquired pneumonia?
What is the initial fluid of choice for adult and pediatric burn patients with varying total body surface area (TBSA) burned?
What is the next best step for a patient with left flank area pain that worsens with prolonged standing or seating, elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Sed rate), normal urinalysis (UA) and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, and normal complete blood count (CBC)?
What is the recommended dose of cefixime for a 4-year-old female patient with normal renal function, weighing 16-20 kg, and diagnosed with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), for outpatient treatment of uncomplicated pyelonephritis?
What is the recommended treatment for a patient with salivary gland stones?
What is the first-line treatment for a newly diagnosed patient with diabetes mellitus, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) of 7.9%, Body Mass Index (BMI) of 34, and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) of 7.5 mmol/L?
What are the guidelines for dosing theophylline in patients with asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and what potential problems should be considered?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.