@article {211,
	title = {Pediatric erythromycins: a comparison of the properties of erythromycins A and B 2 {\textquoteright}-ethyl succinates},
	journal = {Journal of Medicinal Chemistry},
	volume = {49},
	number = {21},
	year = {2006},
	note = {Times Cited: 1},
	pages = {6334-6342},
	abstract = {The antibiotic erythromycin A is generally administered to children as a suspension of the pro-drug erythromycin A 2{\textquoteright}-ethyl succinate. The success of the pro-drug depends on (a) elimination of the unacceptably bitter taste of free erythromycin, (b) its stability against stomach acid, and (c) its smooth (base-catalyzed) hydrolysis in the body to yield active erythromycin. We have investigated the rates and pathways of acid-catalyzed degradation and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of the 2{\textquoteright}-ethyl succinates of erythromycins A and B. Esterification does not protect the drugs against acid-catalyzed degradation in solution; however, erythromycin B 2{\textquoteright}-ethyl succinate is much more stable than the corresponding erythromycin A ester, degrading nearly 40 times more slowly. The rates of base-catalyzed hydrolysis in conditions mimicking the blood stream are similar for the two pro-drugs. We conclude that erythromycin B 2{\textquoteright}-ethyl succinate is an attractive prospect as a pediatric erythromycin pro-drug.},
	isbn = {0022-2623},
	url = {<Go to ISI>://WOS:000241192400024},
	author = {Hassanzadeh, A. and Gorry, P. A. and Morris, Gareth A. and Barber, Jill}
}
