Which bacteria is killed by azithromycin?
Michael King
Updated on February 24, 2026
Azithromycin works by binding to the 23S rRNA of the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria such as Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare, and Chlamydia trachomatis. This inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and kills bacteria. Azithromycin belongs to the class of medicines known as macrolide antibiotics.