The molecule is a macrolide antibiotic which displays in vitro activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and is currently under investigation for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also granted orphan drug designation to cethromycin for the treatment of anthrax prophylaxis, tularemia, and plague (PDB entry: 1NWX). It has a role as an antibacterial drug and a protein synthesis inhibitor. It is a macrolide antibiotic, a member of quinolines and a monosaccharide derivative.
(1S,2R,5R,7R,8R,9R,11R,13R,14R)-8-[(2S,3R,4S,6R)-4-(dimethylamino)-3-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2-ethyl-1,5,7,9,11,13-hexamethyl-9-[(E)-3-quinolin-3-ylprop-2-enoxy]-3,17-dioxa-15-azabicyclo[12.3.0]heptadecane-4,6,12,16-tetrone