(2021) Azithromycin versus standard care in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (ATOMIC2) : an open-label, randomised trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 9 (10). pp. 1130-1140. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00263-0

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Abstract

Background:
The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties of azithromycin suggest therapeutic potential against COVID-19. Randomised data in mild-to-moderate disease are not available. We assessed whether azithromycin is effective in reducing hospital admission in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Methods:
This prospective, open-label, randomised superiority trial was done at 19 hospitals in the UK. We enrolled adults aged at least 18 years presenting to hospitals with clinically diagnosed, highly probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection, with fewer than 14 days of symptoms, who were considered suitable for initial ambulatory management. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to azithromycin (500 mg once daily orally for 14 days) plus standard care or to standard care alone. The primary outcome was death or hospital admission from any cause over the 28 days from randomisation. The primary and safety outcomes were assessed according to the intention-to-treat principle. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381962) and recruitment is closed.

Findings:
298 participants were enrolled from June 3, 2020, to Jan 29, 2021. Three participants withdrew consent and requested removal of all data, and three further participants withdrew consent after randomisation, thus, the primary outcome was assessed in 292 participants (145 in the azithromycin group and 147 in the standard care group). The mean age of the participants was 45·9 years (SD 14·9). 15 (10%) participants in the azithromycin group and 17 (12%) in the standard care group were admitted to hospital or died during the study (adjusted OR 0·91 [95% CI 0·43–1·92], p=0·80). No serious adverse events were reported.

Interpretation:
In patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 managed without hospital admission, adding azithromycin to standard care treatment did not reduce the risk of subsequent hospital admission or death. Our findings do not support the use of azithromycin in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Funding:
National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford and Pfizer.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Azithromycin, COVID-19 (Disease) -- Patients -- Treatment
Journal or Publication Title:	The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Publisher:	The Lancet Publishing Group
ISSN:	2213-2600
Official Date:	1 October 2021
Dates:	Date Event 1 October 2021 Published 9 July 2021 Available 6 May 2021 Accepted
Volume:	9
Number:	10
Page Range:	pp. 1130-1140
DOI:	10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00263-0
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:	Project/Grant ID RIOXX Funder Name Funder ID UNSPECIFIED NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013373 UNSPECIFIED University Of Oxford http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000769 UNSPECIFIED Pfizer http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004319

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