Which antibiotic is commonly used to treat pneumonia?

Clarithromycin is commonly used to treat pneumonia, particularly in cases of community-acquired pneumonia. It belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics, which are known for their effectiveness against a range of respiratory pathogens, especially atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae, which are frequent culprits in pneumonia cases. Clarithromycin also has a relatively favorable side effect profile and offers the benefit of convenient dosing, often being administered twice daily.

While amoxicillin is also utilized in treating pneumonia, particularly for cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, clarithromycin has broader coverage, especially for atypical pathogens. Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is typically reserved for more severe cases or when there is concern for resistant organisms, while doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is effective but not first-line for typical pneumonia in adults. Therefore, clarithromycin is often preferred due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and suitability for outpatient treatment of pneumonia.