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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Macrolide Antibiotic Names Quiz: Erythromycin and More

Quick macrolide drug names quiz to check your recall. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jay C. Hormel Nature CenterUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration with pills labeled erythromycin and azithromycin on sky blue background

This quiz helps you practice macrolide antibiotic names and fix tricky spellings, from erythromycin to azithromycin. Get instant results, then sharpen recall with a drug name quiz, or widen your basics with a clinical microbiology quiz. If you want more pharmacy practice, try our drug knowledge quiz.

Which of the following is a macrolide antibiotic?
Vancomycin
Ciprofloxacin
Gentamicin
Erythromycin
Erythromycin is the prototypical macrolide antibiotic that inhibits the 50S ribosomal subunit and is derived from Streptomyces erythreus. It contains a 14-membered lactone ring. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone, gentamicin is an aminoglycoside, and vancomycin is a glycopeptide.
Which macrolide is commonly branded as Z-Pak?
Erythromycin
Clarithromycin
Azithromycin
Roxithromycin
Azithromycin is marketed under the brand name Z-Pak in a five-day dosing regimen. Clarithromycin is branded as Biaxin, erythromycin has multiple trade names like E-Mycin, and roxithromycin is often branded as Rulid.
What is the common suffix found in most macrolide antibiotic generic names?
-mycin
-azole
-floxacin
-cillin
Most macrolide antibiotics end with the suffix "-mycin," such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin. This distinguishes them from other antibiotic classes like fluoroquinolones (-floxacin), penicillins (-cillin), and azoles (-azole).
Which macrolide antibiotic has a 15-membered lactone ring?
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Fidaxomicin
Erythromycin
Azithromycin is classified as an azalide and contains a 15-membered lactone ring due to an inserted nitrogen atom. Erythromycin and clarithromycin have 14-membered rings, and fidaxomicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic but not a true macrolide.
Which macrolide antibiotic is derived from Streptomyces erythreus?
Azithromycin
Roxithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Erythromycin was the first macrolide antibiotic isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus in 1952. Azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin are semisynthetic derivatives of erythromycin.
Clarithromycin differs from erythromycin by the addition of which functional group?
Amino group
Methyl group
Hydroxyl group
Ethyl group
Clarithromycin is 6-O-methylerythromycin, meaning it has a methyl group replacing the hydroxyl at the 6-position of erythromycin. This modification improves acid stability and oral bioavailability.
Which macrolide antibiotic has the least effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes?
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Roxithromycin
Azithromycin has minimal inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, reducing the risk of drug - drug interactions compared with erythromycin and clarithromycin, which are potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Which macrolide is classified as a ketolide?
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Telithromycin
Telithromycin is the first approved ketolide antibiotic derived from erythromycin, with a keto group replacing the cladinose sugar at the C3 position. Ketolides were developed to overcome macrolide resistance.
Which macrolide antibiotic is most associated with cholestatic hepatitis?
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Roxithromycin
Erythromycin estolate formulations have been linked to rare cases of cholestatic hepatitis. This idiosyncratic reaction can present with jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. Other macrolides have lower incidence of this hepatic toxicity.
What is the common trade name for clarithromycin?
Zithromax
E-Mycin
Avantil
Biaxin
Clarithromycin is marketed under the trade name Biaxin. Zithromax is azithromycin, E-Mycin is one brand of erythromycin, and Avantil is not a macrolide antibiotic.
Which of the following macrolides is available in a veterinary formulation for livestock but not approved for human use?
Tylosin
Tulathromycin
Dirithromycin
Clarithromycin
Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic used exclusively in veterinary medicine for livestock and poultry. It is not approved for human use. Dirithromycin was withdrawn from the market, and tulathromycin is also a veterinary macrolide.
Which macrolide antibiotic has the longest half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing?
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Roxithromycin
Azithromycin has an extended half-life (up to 68 hours) and high tissue penetration, which permits once-daily dosing and shorter course regimens. Erythromycin and clarithromycin require more frequent dosing.
The drug - drug interactions of erythromycin are primarily due to inhibition of which cytochrome enzyme?
CYP2D6
CYP2C9
CYP1A2
CYP3A4
Erythromycin is a potent inhibitor of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme, leading to many clinically significant drug - drug interactions. It can increase concentrations of statins, benzodiazepines, and other medications metabolized by CYP3A4.
Which macrolide antibiotic contains a 16-membered lactone ring?
Spiramycin
Telithromycin
Azithromycin
Erythromycin
Spiramycin is a 16-membered macrolide antibiotic with a unique structure among macrolides. Erythromycin and clarithromycin have 14-membered rings, and azithromycin has 15 members.
Which novel macrocyclic antibiotic is primarily used for Clostridioides difficile infections?
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Fidaxomicin
Clarithromycin
Fidaxomicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic used specifically for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. While structurally related to macrolides, it functions by inhibiting RNA polymerase.
Which macrolide antibiotic is characterized by a 23-membered lactone ring and is rarely used due to toxicity?
Carbomycin
Josamycin
Midecamycin
Oleandomycin
Carbomycin is a macrolide antibiotic with a 23-membered lactone ring that exhibited significant toxicity, which limited its clinical use. Josamycin, oleandomycin, and midecamycin have smaller ring sizes and different usage profiles.
Which macrolide antibiotic undergoes significant enterohepatic circulation, leading to a prolonged duration of action?
Spiramycin
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Spiramycin undergoes extensive enterohepatic circulation, which extends its presence in the body and contributes to its tissue persistence. Other macrolides are primarily eliminated hepatically without significant reabsorption.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Core Macrolide Names -

    Identify common macrolides names such as erythromycin and azithromycin with ease.

  2. Differentiate Macrolide Antibiotic Variants -

    Distinguish between various macrolide antibiotic names based on their structure and typical clinical use.

  3. Match Brand and Generic Names -

    Associate erythromycin names and azithromycin names with their respective brand and generic formulations.

  4. Reinforce Antibiotic Terminology -

    Apply key macrolide antibiotic names to clinical scenarios to strengthen retention.

  5. Assess Naming Recall Strengths -

    Gauge your mastery of macrolides names and pinpoint areas that need further review.

  6. Enhance Pharmacology Knowledge -

    Bolster your understanding of macrolide antibiotics within the broader antibiotic naming conventions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Macrolide Classification and Naming Conventions -

    The macrolides names often hint at their core lactone ring size - erythromycin and clarithromycin have 14-membered rings, while azithromycin sports a 15-membered ring. A handy mnemonic is "ACE" for Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, making macrolide antibiotic names memorable. This framework is supported by standard pharmaceutics references like Goodman & Gilman.

  2. Mechanism of Action: 50S Ribosomal Inhibition -

    Macrolide antibiotics bind the 50S ribosomal subunit and block the peptide exit tunnel, halting protein synthesis. This reversible binding is highlighted in WHO antimicrobial guidelines as key to their bacteriostatic effect. Remember that translocation is stopped, giving you a clear image of how macrolides names become synonymous with protein roadblocks!

  3. Pharmacokinetics and Acid Stability -

    Erythromycin base is acid-labile and can degrade in the stomach, whereas clarithromycin and azithromycin are acid-stable, enhancing oral bioavailability. Clarithromycin's active metabolite (14-O-hydroxy) and azithromycin's extensive tissue uptake underscore their dosing advantages per ASHP monographs. Knowing these properties helps when comparing macrolide antibiotic names and picking the right agent.

  4. Key Clinical Uses and Indications -

    Macrolide antibiotic names keep you thinking of respiratory infections (like community-acquired pneumonia) and atypical pathogens - plus skin and soft tissue infections. They're also part of H. pylori eradication regimens alongside a proton”pump inhibitor, as noted by CDC treatment protocols. These versatile uses make mastering macrolides names a practical asset for clinical recall.

  5. Resistance Mechanisms and Testing -

    Bacterial resistance often arises via erm gene-mediated ribosomal methylation or mef-carried efflux pumps, diminishing macrolide efficacy. The D”zone test, recommended by CLSI, detects inducible resistance in staphylococci, so you'll recognize when macrolide antibiotic names may not work. Understanding these patterns ensures you approach each case with confidence and precision.

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